on July 14, 2026
While public health focuses primarily on the management of arterial hypertension – a primary cardiovascular risk factor affecting approximately one billion people worldwide and causing over nine million deaths annually according to the World Health Organization (WHO) – hypotension represents an equally disabling clinical condition, although often underestimated. Defined as a persistent or transient reduction in systolic and diastolic blood pressure below standard physiological limits, P systolic < 90 mmHg and diastolic P < 60 mmHg, hypotension can present as a constant finding of a constitutional nature (generally asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic in young and athletic individuals) or manifest in an acute or transient form.
The clinical symptoms associated with sudden drops in blood pressure are widely documented and include dizziness, lightheadedness, headache, nausea, compensatory palpitations, and fainting (syncopal episodes). When this condition becomes chronic, it can significantly impair quality of life, leading to a decline in cognitive performance and, in more severe cases or in geriatric patients, being associated with an increase in morbidity and mortality. From an etiopathogenetic point of view, postprandial hypotension (due to the massive sequestration of blood in the splanchnic district during digestion) and orthostatic hypotension are distinguished, the latter characterized by a deficit in the baroreceptor reflexes responsible for maintaining cardiac output during the rapid transition from clino- to orthostasis, and is frequently related to aging or the intake of medications (such as antihypertensives, diuretics, and neuroleptics).
In transient or seasonal forms of hypotension, typically exacerbated by hot and humid weather due to peripheral vasodilation and the loss of salts through sweating, the symptoms manifest as generalized fatigue and dizziness. In these scenarios, which do not conceal underlying organic diseases or hemorrhages, an integrated approach based on lifestyle modifications (hydration, moderate aerobic physical activity, balanced diet) and the rational use of phytocomplexes and traditional remedies allows for the restoration of hemodynamic homeostasis without resorting to synthetic pharmacological therapies.
The Clinical Association of Hawthorn and Camphor: Analysis of Evidence from Meta-Analysis
In the landscape of complementary medicine and clinical phytotherapy, the combination of hawthorn extract (Crataegus spp.) and camphor represents a historically accredited remedy for the treatment of orthostatic and constitutional hypotension. The efficacy and safety of this fixed formulation have recently been subjected to a rigorous systematic review and meta-analysis process by a team of researchers from several Hungarian universities, following the international PRISMA guidelines and registering the protocol in the PROSPERO registry.
The systematic research conducted on leading scientific databases (Cochrane Register, PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science) led to the inclusion of 4 double-blind placebo-controlled randomized controlled trials (RCTs), involving a total of 221 adult patients suffering from orthostatic or chronic hypotension. The statistical analysis of the aggregated data demonstrated:
· A statistically significant increase in systolic blood pressure compared to placebo.
· A statistically significant increase in diastolic blood pressure compared to placebo.
· A favorable trend of clinical improvement, although not statistically significant at the standard level, on cognitive performance measured through validated tests.
The synergistic action between the two constituents unfolds at multiple levels. The flavonoids and oligomeric proanthocyanidins present in hawthorn exert a positive inotropic action and modulation of vascular tone, while camphor acts by stimulating sensory receptors and bulbar vasomotor centers, inducing a rapid adaptive blood pressure response. Despite the promising results confirming the hypertensive effect of the combination, the authors of the study emphasize the need to conduct further multicenter clinical trials on larger populations to precisely define the optimal dose and the duration of long-term therapy.
The Physiological Role of Umeboshi in Blood Pressure and Hydroelectrolytic Regulation
Another approach of extraordinary biochemical and nutritional interest to counteract transient hypotension, especially during the summer season or following intense athletic performance, is represented by the use of Umeboshi. This ancient remedy of Asian tradition consists of the plum/apricot of Prunus mume, a tree known for blooming in winter and expressing a marked vitality. Harvested unripe when the concentration of organic acids is at its maximum, the fruit is sun-dried, salted, and pressed with shiso leaves (Perilla frutescens) before undergoing a long fermentation process (from 6 months to 7 years).
From a biochemical point of view, Umeboshi is configured as a powerful systemic alkalizing agent. Although its taste is strongly acidic due to the very high presence of citric acid, once metabolized it releases abundant citrates and alkaline mineral salts that neutralize tissue acidosis and promote the rapid breakdown and clearance of lactic acid accumulated in the muscles. Its main biological properties include:
1. Alkalinization and Anti-fatigue: Activation of the Krebs cycle mediated by citrates and acceleration of lactic acid breakdown, reducing generalized fatigue, muscle cramps, and speeding up post-exercise recovery.
2. Hydroelectrolytic Regulation: Balanced supply of highly bioavailable organic sodium and essential trace elements. It is ideal for counteracting summer hypotension, heat fatigue, and orthostatic dizziness.
3. Gastrointestinal Stimulation: Activation of salivary and gastric secretion; it exerts a natural antibacterial action and promotes the rebalancing of the microbiota, alleviating nausea (even pregnancy or motion-related), gastroesophageal reflux, dysbiosis, and constipation.
4. Metabolic Antidote: Direct support of liver detoxifying functionality in case of ethanol abuse, excess of simple sugars, or halitosis.
In sports and daily life, Umeboshi represents a perfect example of bioenergetic balance (Yin-Yang polarity): the extreme Yin of the unripe fruit rich in citric acid is wisely balanced by Yang factors such as the sun, sea salt, mechanical pressure, and fermentation time. For hypotension and athlete rehydration, the preferred preparation involves boiling one Umeboshi plum in one liter of water for 10 minutes, allowing the solution to cool before consuming it during or after physical activity. Alternatively, to counteract summer dizziness, it is sufficient to add one plum or half a teaspoon of puree to a bottle of water to be consumed throughout the day, taking advantage of the controlled saline supply to stabilize blood pressure values.
NOTE: The information contained in this article is exclusively for informational and educational purposes and does not in any way constitute a medical consultation, diagnosis, or prescription. The use of food supplements and phytotherapy must be part of a healthy and balanced lifestyle. It is recommended to always consult your attending physician or a specialist before undertaking any therapeutic protocol, particularly in case of severe chronic hypotension, pregnancy, breastfeeding, or concomitant pharmacological therapies.
Bibliographic References and Clinical Studies
1. Csupor D, Viczián R, Lantos T, et al. The combination of hawthorn extract and camphor significantly increases blood pressure: a metaanalysis and systematic review. Phytomedicine. 2019 Oct; 63:152984.
2. World Health Organization (WHO). Global report on hypertension: the race against a silent killer. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2023.
3. Mitro P, Kirsch P, et al. Pathophysiology of orthostatic hypotension and neurogenic orthostatic intolerance. Clin Auton Res. 2018;28(4):365-374.
4. Shi J, et al. Nutritional and therapeutic values of Prunus mume (Ume) in traditional and modern medicine: a comprehensive review. J Ethnopharmacol. 2021;268:113579.
