Peppermint Oil Supplements May Lower Blood Pressure at Just One Penny a Day

Experts have identified a simple, drug-free method to help lower blood pressure using peppermint oil supplements that cost only a penny a day. While this natural remedy is already well-known for treating irritable bowel syndrome, stomach cramps, bloating, and excess wind, new evidence suggests it may also be a powerful tool against hypertension.

Researchers at the University of Lancashire discovered that a daily dose of the oil, available in capsules or diluted droplets, could provide an affordable solution for the millions of Britons affected by the condition. Currently, around one in three UK adults—approximately 16 million people—suffer from high blood pressure, a state that can lead to severe complications such as heart attacks, strokes, kidney failure, and vascular dementia.

Risk factors for developing hypertension include being overweight, smoking, a sedentary lifestyle, and a diet high in salt. However, a recent study published in the journal PLOS One offers a surprising alternative. The trial involved 40 adults with above-average blood pressure who took 100 microlitres of peppermint oil daily, split into two doses over a 20-day period. The results showed a drastic reduction in both systolic and diastolic readings.

To understand the impact, it is helpful to distinguish between the two numbers in a blood pressure reading. Systolic pressure, the higher number, measures the force against artery walls when the heart beats. Diastolic pressure, the lower number, measures the pressure when the heart rests between beats. For an average healthy individual, these readings should stay below 120 mmHg for systolic and 80 mmHg for diastolic.

The cost of this intervention is remarkably low. A 90-day supply of the supplements costs as little as £10. This makes the treatment accessible to many, offering a potential new avenue for managing a condition that blights a significant portion of the population without relying on expensive pharmaceuticals.

Blood pressure readings are conventionally expressed as 120/80. A recent clinical trial investigated a novel treatment protocol involving peppermint oil, administered to a cohort of 40 participants ranging in age from 18 to 65. The subjects were divided into two distinct groups: one received peppermint oil, while the control group consumed a peppermint-flavoured placebo beverage containing no active oil.

At the commencement of the study, the baseline average blood pressure for the peppermint group stood at 130.05/83.25 mmHg, nearly identical to the placebo group's average of 130.93/83.20 mmHg. By the conclusion of the trial, a marked divergence in results emerged. The systolic blood pressure in the peppermint group decreased from 130.1 mmHg to 121.97 mmHg, whereas the placebo group experienced a slight increase from 130.93 mmHg to 131.05 mmHg. Concurrently, diastolic pressure in the treatment group dropped from 83.25 mmHg to 78.52 mmHg, contrasting with the minimal fluctuation observed in the placebo group, which shifted only from 83.20 mmHg to 83.05 mmHg. Consequently, the peppermint group achieved a rounded blood pressure of 122/79, compared to 131/83 for the placebo group.

Dr Jonnie Sinclair, the lead author and reader in sport and health sciences at the University of Lancashire, highlighted the gravity of the findings. "High blood pressure is one of the biggest causes of heart disease and death worldwide, and it costs a huge amount of money to treat," Sinclair stated. He noted that while pharmaceutical interventions are standard, their long-term efficacy is not always guaranteed, and they frequently carry unwanted side effects.

Despite the promising outcomes, the researchers issued a necessary caution regarding the study's limitations, specifically citing the short duration of the trial and the small sample size of participants. Nevertheless, Dr Sinclair emphasized the potential impact of the results, stating, "Our findings were very positive and they have significant clinical implications, especially given arterial hypertension is the most common preventable risk factor for cardiometabolic disease and the greatest single risk factor for global mortality." He further noted that peppermint oil is low in both calories and price, offering a simple and cost-effective solution that could potentially benefit millions of people globally.

The National Health Service (NHS) acknowledges that peppermint oil, often consumed when diluted via liquid droplets, offers therapeutic benefits beyond blood pressure management, such as relaxing bowel muscles to alleviate stomach cramps, bloating, and flatulence. They advise that while effects can begin within a few hours, full benefits may take between one and two weeks. Although the NHS recommends continuing use until symptoms improve, they warn against taking the oil for longer than two weeks without consulting a doctor, particularly for products purchased from pharmacies or retail shops.