Objective To investigate antihypertensive efficacy of candesartan alone or combined with Rhodiola rosea and effect on insulin resistance index. Methods A total of 114 patients with hypertension were divided into group A: balance of candesartan 8 mg, 1/day; group B and group C received respectively candesartan and Hongjingtian injection 8 mg, 10 ml and 15 ml+10% glucose 250 ml, IV drip, 1/day.From all the patierts, before and afler treatment for three months, venous blood plasma was examinations of glucose (FPG)、insulin(FINS), calculation of insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR) and insulin sensitivity index (ISI). Results In groups B and C, antihypertensive efficacy was basically close and effect is higher than that in group A. For the improvement of the HOMA -IR and ISI, group C was better than group B, group B was superior to group A. Hypertension patients’ blood pressure before treatment, FINS and HOMA-IR levels were significantly higher after treatment, the ISI levels significantly lower after treatment (P<0.05). After 3 months of candesartan treatment, high blood pressure patients had significantly lower blood pressure, fasting glucose, FINS and lower HOMA-IR , ISI levels (P<0.05) and there were differences between the three groups. Conclusions Candesartan has certainly antihypertensive effect, and improves the HOMA-IR in hypertensive patients, and combined use of Rhodiola decreases FPG, FINS and HOMA-IR, increases ISI.For hypertension complicated with HOMA-IR, C group of clinical treatment is worthy of spread use.