Cupboard ingredient could cut blood pressure in less than three weeks, scientists say

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A small trial suggests taking peppermint oil twice a day could lower blood pressure

A daily dose of peppermint oil could serve as a straightforward method for bringing down mildly raised blood pressure, new research from the University of Lancashire has revealed.

The study, published in the journal PLOS One, found that adults who consumed 100 microlitres of the oil twice per day over 20 days experienced an average reduction of 8.5mmHg in their systolic blood pressure - the upper figure in a standard reading.

The findings point to peppermint oil as an affordable, simple and well-tolerated option for individuals whose blood pressure sits slightly above normal levels.

Dr Jonnie Sinclair, a Reader in Sport and Health Sciences at the university and the study's lead author, said: "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.

"Although medicines are commonly used to treat it, it's not always clear how well they work in the long-term, and they can cause unwanted side effects."

He continued: "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."

The trial enrolled 40 participants ranging from 18 to 65 years of age, all of whom had prehypertension or stage 1 hypertension.

They were randomly split into two groups. One cohort received a small daily quantity of peppermint oil, whilst the other was given a peppermint-flavoured placebo that contained none of the active oil.

Those taking the genuine oil saw their blood pressure improve, whereas the placebo group recorded no significant change.

Beyond systolic readings, the researchers monitored a range of additional markers.

These encompassed diastolic blood pressure, heart rate, body measurements, blood test results, mental wellbeing and sleep quality.

Dr Sinclair noted the practical appeal of the approach, stating: "Peppermint oil is low in calories and price, so it's proved to be a very simple and cost-effective solution to potentially treat millions of people around the world."

The essential oil naturally contains a number of active compounds, among them menthol and flavonoids, which the researchers believe may underpin its blood pressure-lowering properties.

With hypertension remaining a leading driver of preventable death globally and conventional treatments carrying well-documented drawbacks, an inexpensive intervention of this kind could prove particularly valuable for health systems already under considerable financial strain.