Effects of the commercially available blumea balsamifera (sambong) on the lowering of blood pressure of stage 1 hypertensive patients / Joyce B. Tan and Vic Fileto Chua.

Includes appendices and bibliographical references.

Abstract: Hypertension is an asymptomatic chronic disorder, which damages the blood vessels, heart, brain, and kidneys. However, it may not be entirely asymptomatic; in double-blind placebo-controlled trials, patient`s quality of life ratings were often found to improve with successful drug treatment of hypertension, including improvement of exertional dyspnea caused by diastolic dysfunction. Sambong (Blumea balsamifera), a ubiquitous, strongly aromatic herbal plant that grows locally and has been traditionally used as a cold remedy, diuretic and anti-urolithiasis. Over the years, its attention as an effective anti-urolithiasis drug, approved by the Department of Health Institute of Traditional and Alternative Health Care, and by the Department of Agriculture Bureau of Plant Industries. This study is a randomized open label study comparing Sambong plus lifestyle modification and lifestyle modification alone in terms of its effectiveness in lowering blood pressure among stage 1 hypertensive patients. Enrolled in the study are patients from the Out-Patient Department of Internal Medicine. Baseline minimum laboratory examination required for hypertensive work-up was done upon first visit as well as blood pressure measurement. One arm will receive the recommended dosage of commercially available Sambong 1 tablet every eight hours plus lifestyle modification, while the other arm will have lifestyle modification alone. They will be evaluated every 2 weeks for 2 months, together with their blood pressure monitoring at home. The two arms will be compared in terms of their effect and extent in lowering blood pressure among stage 1 hypertensive subjects.

Research - Department of Medicine