Herbal Tea & Heart / Blood Pressure Medications
If you manage heart disease or take blood pressure medication, herbal tea deserves the same careful attention as any other supplement. Some botanicals affect blood pressure or heart rhythm directly, which matters when you're already taking medication that does the same.
This page is for general educational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not a complete list, and it does not replace guidance from a qualified healthcare provider. Always speak with your cardiologist, doctor, or pharmacist before starting, continuing, or stopping any herbal tea or supplement if you have heart disease or take blood pressure medication. Herbs and supplements — including plain culinary herbal tea — can affect blood pressure, heart rhythm, and interact with cardiac medications.
Why This
Matters
Herbs that raise, lower, or affect heart rhythm can complicate a carefully balanced treatment plan.
Blood Pressure Is a Balancing Act
Heart and blood pressure medications are dosed to bring your numbers into a specific, safe range. When an herb also affects blood pressure, heart rhythm, or blood clotting, the combined effect can push things further than intended — sometimes raising blood pressure when it should be controlled, sometimes dropping it too low, or increasing bleeding risk around a cardiac event or procedure.
This isn't a reason to avoid herbal tea altogether. It's a reason to have a specific conversation with your cardiologist or care team about which herbs you're drinking.
Types of Herbs That May Need Extra Caution
This is not a list of "bad" herbs — many of these are common, well-regarded botanicals. The point is that if you manage heart disease or blood pressure specifically, their effects deserve a conversation with your care team first.
Herbs That May Raise Blood Pressure
Licorice root is well documented for raising blood pressure and lowering potassium with regular use — a direct concern if you're already managing high blood pressure.
Herbs That May Lower Blood Pressure
Hibiscus has a modest but real blood-pressure-lowering effect in some studies. Combined with blood pressure medication, this can push pressure lower than intended.
Herbs Affecting Blood Clotting
Ginkgo and ginger both have noted effects on blood clotting, which matters if you're on blood thinners or approaching a cardiac procedure. See our guide to Tea and Blood Thinners.
Caffeine & Heart Rhythm
Green and black tea naturally contain caffeine, which can temporarily raise heart rate and blood pressure — worth discussing if you manage arrhythmia or hypertension closely.
Herbs From Our Catalog Worth Discussing With Your Care Team
This list covers herbs found in our teas that came up in published research on blood pressure and heart medication interactions. It is not exhaustive, and inclusion here does not mean a specific herb is unsafe for you — it means it's specifically worth mentioning to your cardiologist or pharmacist.
Licorice Root
Well documented for raising blood pressure and lowering potassium with regular use, both of concern for people managing hypertension or heart disease.
Found in: Turmeric Relief Herbal Tea
View Profile →Hibiscus
Studied for a modest blood-pressure-lowering effect. Worth discussing if you take blood pressure medication, since the combined effect could lower pressure more than intended.
Found in: Minty Hibiscus Tea, Red Berry Herbal Tea
View Profile →Ginkgo
Has noted effects on blood clotting, relevant if you're on blood thinners or nearing a cardiac procedure. No current product from us contains ginkgo as an ingredient.
View Profile →Ginger Root
Also has noted anticoagulant properties, worth discussing alongside any blood thinner or before a scheduled cardiac procedure.
Found in: Lone Star Sipper, Masala Snoreworthy Chai
View Profile →Green Tea
Naturally contains caffeine, which can temporarily raise heart rate and blood pressure — worth a conversation if you manage arrhythmia or closely monitored hypertension.
Found in: Green Pineapple Papaya
View Profile →Tell Your Care Team What's in Your Cup
Our teas are crafted as everyday culinary and wellness beverages, not as medicine, and they are not intended to treat, diagnose, or replace any treatment for heart disease or high blood pressure. That said, herbs are herbs, regardless of who sells them or how they're packaged.
If you manage heart disease or blood pressure medication, please treat every herbal tea the same way, including ours: bring the ingredient list to your appointment, and don't start, continue, or stop drinking any herbal tea without your care team's input.
Herbal Tea & Heart Health FAQ
General answers only. Please confirm anything specific to your situation with your cardiologist or pharmacist.
Can I drink herbal tea if I have heart disease?
It depends on the herb, your specific medications, and your overall treatment plan. There's no universal "safe list" — always check with your cardiologist or pharmacist before starting or continuing any herbal tea.
Is hibiscus tea safe with blood pressure medication?
Hibiscus has a documented mild blood-pressure-lowering effect. Combined with medication that does the same, it may lower pressure more than intended — worth a specific conversation with your provider.
Why does licorice root affect blood pressure?
Licorice root contains a compound that can cause the body to retain sodium and lose potassium, which raises blood pressure with regular use — a well-documented effect, especially at higher amounts.
Can herbal tea interact with blood thinners for heart conditions?
Some herbs, including ginkgo and ginger, have noted effects on blood clotting. See our dedicated guide on Tea and Blood Thinners for more detail.
What should I bring to my cardiology appointment to discuss this?
A simple list or photo of the ingredients on any tea or supplement packaging is genuinely helpful and makes the conversation easier and faster.
Where can I find more detailed, medical-grade information?
The American Heart Association and the NIH's National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health publish detailed, regularly updated information on herbs and supplements for heart health. Links are provided below.
Additional Reading
For detailed, regularly updated medical information, we recommend these established resources.
Herbal tea, on its own, cannot manage heart disease or high blood pressure. Never stop, skip, or reduce any prescribed heart or blood pressure medication because you're drinking an herbal tea — even one discussed on this page. Any change to your treatment plan should only happen with guidance from your doctor.
When In Doubt,
Ask Before You Sip
Herbal tea can be a comforting part of daily life, but with heart disease or blood pressure medication, the safest choice is always the one made together with your cardiologist or doctor. Explore our related guides on Can Tea Replace Medicine? and Tea and Blood Thinners.
