Peppermint oil lowered blood pressure in adults with mild hypertension during a 20-day study, offering a potentially inexpensive and effective treatment option.
New research suggests that daily peppermint oil supplements may help reduce mildly elevated blood pressure.
Researchers at the University of Lancashire found that taking 100 microliters (about 0.0034 fluid ounces) of peppermint oil twice a day for 20 days lowered systolic blood pressure, the top number in a blood pressure reading, by an average of 8.5 mmHg.
The study, published in PLOS One, points to a potentially simple, affordable, and well-tolerated approach for helping people manage slightly elevated blood pressure.
Researchers Highlight Potential Alternative to Medication
Lead author Dr. Jonnie Sinclair, Reader in Sport and Health Sciences, 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.”
Peppermint contains compounds such as menthol and flavonoids. In the study, 40 adults between the ages of 18 and 65 were randomly divided into two groups. Participants with prehypertension or stage 1 hypertension who took a small daily dose of peppermint oil showed improvements, while those given a peppermint-flavored placebo without the active oil experienced little change.
In addition to systolic blood pressure, researchers also monitored body measurements, blood test results, diastolic blood pressure (the bottom number in a blood pressure reading), heart rate, mental well-being, and sleep quality.
Study Suggests Simple Treatment With Global Potential
Dr. Sinclair added, “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.
“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.”
Reference: “Effects of peppermint (Mentha x piperita L.) oil on cardiometabolic outcomes in patients with pre- and stage 1 hypertension: A placebo randomized controlled trial” by Jonathan Sinclair, Benjamin Sant, XuanYi Du, Gareth Shadwell, Stephanie Dillon, Bobbie Butters and Lindsay Bottoms, 23 April 2026, PLOS ONE.
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0344538
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26 Comments
Mint oil would need formulating into a palatable dose thus raising the cost. BP meds for treating low to moderate hypertension are dirt cheap
Agreed. My meds are $2/month with insurance, and my mother’s costs like $10 without insurance. Cost is not the issue, and at least in my years with Triamterene/HCTZ, the side effect is you pee a lot.
Yup that is what everyone thinks and then complains about the cost of health insurance. Your portion of the payment is not the actual cost of the medication. The actual cost is spread out in higher insurance costs to everyone.
I been on BP meds for a long time I take Lisnopril 20 mg daily A.m. & P.M. same for Carvedilol 12.5 mg and still my BP is high my top number runs from the low 150 to low 170 my bottom number is low 50 to low 80 I feel the meds are not doing their job. I like something more natural to take. In the long run those meds are hurting me not helping me.
Try Biozaid tea. If you take it up to 2 to 3 months it will be normalised very well
Hibiscus tea. Works great for me.
Very interesting, but why nothing about the amount needed and the best form of taking it?
100 micro liter. About 2 drops. What it doesn’t say is how much water to put it in. Peppermint oil is very strong.
I wonder if topical peppermint oil would work, and how well?;You would need a carrier oil, of course.
It may be cheap,but many blood pressure meds harm the kidneys and liver.
Id think their would be benefits to just chewing on the peppermint leafs throughout the day?
I was thinking the same,you can actually grow your own peppermint plant in the backyard,how convenient that will be??
But they did state the amount: Researchers at the University of Lancashire found that taking 100 microliters (about 0.0034 fluid ounces) of peppermint oil twice a day for 20 days …
Óleo de hortelã pimenta, Anvisa já liberou.
Id think their would be benefits to just chewing on the peppermint leafs throughout the day?
Peppermint drops your testosterone drastically
Consuming peppermint may contribute to acid reflux. I’m guessing it might be safer in a capsule?
I would be interested in this remedy
I would be interested in this remedy ,what is the cost involved
How to take it and the right messeurent
Note that this is for mild hypertension. What I have found effective for several people, including all stages is to get the hormones balanced. Cortisol spikes, especially chronic cortisol, hormonal dysregulation and the mental framing of the patient is vital. Herbal interventions based on data and tracking the data is the key.
I was thinking the same,you can actually grow your own peppermint plant in the backyard,how convenient that will be?
Hibiscus tea. Delicious, refreshing and I can buy it from Amazon in large a pouch. Estimating 200 tea bags per. Works great!
Yes, my Dr and I agree for me to drink one cup Hibiscus tea and half of my bp pill every day. It really works!
What about pepper mint tea made with fresh peppermint.
It is a shame that the authors don’t mention how much systolic and diastolic drop they recorded. I am sure if the drop is statistically significant, then it needs further research because of a few side effects and is cheaply acquired.