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    Ingredient guide · Ingredient reference

    Supplements that can raise blood pressure: stimulants, licorice and hidden overlap

    Some supplements can raise blood pressure or interfere with treatment. Review ingredients in energy, weight-loss and herbal products, and include ordinary medicines and caffeine in the same check.

    Read the evidence ↓

    Supplement Science Insights Editorial Team

    Published September 23, 2026

    Look for the active substances

    AHA identifies diet pills and stimulants, natural licorice, and ma huang or ephedra among possible blood-pressure contributors. Caffeine is another relevant exposure. Product categories such as herbal or wellness do not rule these ingredients out. [1]

    The total list includes more than supplements

    Decongestants, NSAID pain medicines and sodium-containing antacids may also matter. An energy powder plus coffee plus a cold medicine is a different exposure from any one item alone. Bring all packages to the pharmacist instead of reviewing only prescription tablets. [1][2]

    Do not stop prescribed treatment independently

    AHA recommends asking the clinician or pharmacist which substances may be increasing pressure and continuing prescribed medicines unless advised otherwise. Confirm the product, timing and blood-pressure pattern so the review can identify a plausible contributor. [2]

    Make a useful comparison over time

    Imagine readings rise after a new pre-workout product is started. Record its ingredient list, serving size and caffeine from other sources, then seek advice about the product. A temporal association is useful to report, but it does not by itself prove the cause. [1][3]

    Hypothetical example — choose a next step using the condition, evidence and safety context
    Option or findingPractical implication
    Stimulant or weight-loss blendInspect caffeine and other active ingredients
    Natural licoriceRelevant to blood-pressure review
    Higher readings after a new productReport timing and the full medicine list
    Supplements that can raise blood pressure: stimulants, licorice and hidden overlap — original article outline diagram
    Original editorial diagram of this article’s sections; no product photograph or clinical finding is depicted.

    Sources for this article

    1. American Heart Association — Resistant hypertension
      Source consulted: 2026-09-20. This is a reference resource, not a claim that we conducted the studies or tested a product.
    2. American Heart Association — Managing High Blood Pressure Medications
      Source consulted: 2026-09-20. This is a reference resource, not a claim that we conducted the studies or tested a product.
    3. Dietary Supplements: What You Need to Know
      Source consulted: 2026-09-20. This is a reference resource, not a claim that we conducted the studies or tested a product.