A 20-day randomized trial found adults with prehypertension or stage 1 hypertension who took 100 microliters of peppermint oil twice daily lowered systolic blood pressure by an average 8.5 mmHg.
Forty adults aged 18 to 65 were split between peppermint oil and a peppermint-flavored placebo, with the placebo group showing little change.
University of Lancashire researchers said the supplement was inexpensive, low-calorie and well tolerated, positioning it as a potential alternative or complement to standard blood-pressure drugs.
Published in PLOS One, the study adds to efforts to find simpler treatments for mild hypertension, a leading global risk factor for cardiometabolic disease and death.
Could a common kitchen flavoring become a new global tool for managing high blood pressure?
If peppermint oil lowers blood pressure this much, what other natural remedies have we overlooked?
Peppermint Oil Significantly Lowers Blood Pressure in Mild Hypertension: New Clinical Trial Results and Future Directions
Overview
A recent clinical trial published in PLOS ONE on April 23, 2026, revealed that peppermint oil supplementation can significantly lower both systolic and diastolic blood pressure in people with mild hypertension. The study focused on individuals with pre-hypertension and stage 1 hypertension, showing that peppermint oil could be a simple and cost-effective way to help millions manage high blood pressure. Experts highlighted the strong clinical implications of these findings, especially since hypertension is the leading preventable risk factor for heart disease and global mortality. This positions peppermint oil as a promising new option for blood pressure management.