Herbal medications have gained increasing attention for their potential role in managing cardiovascular (CV) diseases, although their efficacy and safety remain underexplored. This systematic review aimed to evaluate the effects of herbal treatments on key CV outcomes, including blood pressure, lipid profiles, cardiac function, and hemostasis. A systematic search of the PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases was conducted up to January 2025, and 27 studies that met the inclusion criteria were identified. Ten studies reported hypotensive effects, with significant reductions in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Eight studies highlighted hypolipidemic effects, demonstrating reductions in total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and triglycerides, along with elevations in high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels. Seven studies revealed cardioprotective effects, including improved myocardial function and protection against oxidative stress, whereas two studies explored the role of herbal medications in hemostasis, fibrinolysis, or anticoagulation, with limited but varied results. Overall, herbal medications with hypotensive, hypolipidemic, and cardiac effects demonstrated significant clinical benefits, primarily on the basis of both preclinical and clinical studies. However, those with hemostatic or fibrinolytic properties require further investigation due to limited clinical evidence. In conclusion, while many herbal treatments show promise in CV disease management, additional studies are needed to establish their safety, standardization, and long-term efficacy.
Purwanto et al. (Thu,) studied this question.