It was given to 663 people with poorly-managed hypertension (high blood pressure) alongside their existing treatment.
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The participants’ hypertension was not well managed with their existing medication.
The results, published in JAMA Network, suggest these injections may have the potential to “help millions with high blood pressure”, Queen Mary University of London, whose researchers led the study, said.
What did the injections do?
In this study, participants were given a dose of zilebesiran alongside their usual treatment.
Zilebesiran stops the production of a protein called angiotensinogen in the liver. Blocking that protein helps blood vessels to relax, thus lowering blood pressure.
The hypertension of the participants in this study was better-managed with the assistance of angiotensinogen injections alongside the “normal” medication, which, for one reason or another, was not working optimally for them.
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The drug, which is far longer-lasting than medication which patients may have to take daily, matters because blood pressure is both hard to spot and vital to consistently treat.
It can lead to heart attacks and strokes if left unmanaged. It usually has no symptoms and is “very common,” the NHS said.
KARDIA-3, a follow-up project, will investigate the effects of zilebesiran on people with high blood pressure and established cardiovascular disease, as well as people at risk of heart conditions.
And a large global outcomes study is set later this year to see how it affects stroke, heart disease, and cardiovascular event risk.
The study’s lead investigator, Dr Manish Saxena, said: “Hypertension is a global health concern as blood pressure control rates remain poor and is a leading cause of heart attacks and strokes.
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“This study demonstrates the efficacy and safety of zilebesiran when added to commonly used first-line blood pressure-lowering drugs. The novelty of this treatment is its long duration; giving just one injection every six months could help millions of patients to better manage their condition.”
Many people try essential oils as a treatment for high blood pressure, or hypertension, usually by inhaling the scent or applying the oil to the skin.
However, there is little evidence that essential oils can reduce blood pressure.
As untreated hypertension can result in a heart attack or stroke, it is important not to rely on essential oils alone as a remedy.
A doctor can recommend lifestyle changes and medications for high blood pressure. Talk to a doctor before including essential oils in a treatment plan.
In this article, we list essential oils that may help people who are managing hypertension. We also describe how to use the oils safely and the risks involved.
People who use essential oils for high blood pressure often recommend:
Bergamot
Share on PinterestA person with hypertension should talk to a doctor before including essential oils in a treatment plan.
In a small study including 52 participants, researchers tested whether inhaling an oil blend containing bergamot could help reduce hypertension.
The blend also included lavender and ylang-ylang.
Based on their results, the team concluded that essential oils may help reduce high blood pressure.
Citronella
People traditionally use citronella oil as a mosquito repellent, but it may benefit the health of the heart.
A small 2012 study, published in the Journal of Health Research, reports that inhaling citronella vapors may significantly reduce a person’s blood pressure, heart rate, and respiratory rate.
Clary sage
A 2013 study, involving 34 female participants who were experiencing urinary incontinence, suggests that clary sage is effective at reducing blood pressure.
In the study, clary sage oil reduced the participants’ heart rates while they were undergoing urodynamic examination.
It is important to note that sage oil — as opposed to clary sage oil — contains a compound called thujone, which may increase high blood pressure.
Frankincense
Frankincense essential oil is a popular component of Eastern medicine. In addition to having anti-inflammatory properties, it may also help combat anxiety and similar issues.
These effects may help reduce high blood pressure. However, it is possible for people to have high blood pressure even when they feel relaxed.
Lavender
Lavender is one of the most popular essential oils for enhancing relaxation and reducing stress and anxiety.
Various scientists behind a 2006 study and a 2012 study found that a blend of oils, including lavender, could reduce high blood pressure in participants who inhaled it.
Neroli
Researchers have found that neroli essential oil, blended with lavender, ylang-ylang, and marjoram could reduce stress and blood pressure in people with prehypertension and hypertension.
Rose
Rose oil may have calming effects.
One study has reported that applying rose oil to the skin can reduce blood pressure, heart rate, breathing rate, blood oxygen saturation levels, and skin temperature.
Sweet marjoram
Researchers behind a small 2017 study observed “remarkable changes” in the blood pressure and heart rates of participants who inhaled sweet marjoram essential oil.
A 2012 study mentioned above also used a blend containing marjoram oil and found similar results.
Valerian
Valerian is a potent relaxing agent and a common ingredient in many natural products that claim to enhance sleep and promote calmness in humans and pets.
The European Medicines Agency points to a long history of valerian as a sleep aid before noting that the essential oil can be used to treat mild mental stress and promote sleep.
Because of these benefits, valerian essential oil may help reduce hypertension in some people.
Ylang-ylang
Researchers have used ylang-ylang essential oil in combination with other oils to effectively lower blood pressure.
A small study from 2013 reported that the aroma of ylang-ylang may have a sedative effect that significantly decreases blood pressure.
A person could try using essential oils by:
mixing them into a fragrance-free body lotion
adding a few drops of essential oil to a carrier oil — such as coconut oil or sweet almond oil — and using the mixture in a massage
adding the oils to a diffuser or oil burner
sprinkling a few drops into a warm bath
inhaling the scent directly from the bottle
Overall, the research into essential oils for high blood pressure is still very limited. A person should not use these oils as a replacement for prescribed medication.
In practice, results likely vary from one individual to another and may depend on the type of oil that a person uses.
In a 2006 study, researchers assigned 52 participants with hypertension to three groups: an essential oil group, a placebo group, and a control group.
Those in the essential oil group inhaled a blend of lavender, ylang-ylang, and bergamot once daily for 4 weeks. The researchers measured all the participants’ blood pressure and pulse twice weekly.
They observed significant differences among the groups, suggesting that inhaling specific essential oils may reduce psychological stress responses, serum cortisol levels, and blood pressure.
In 2012, scientists conducted a similar study. This time, the aim was to observe the effects of essential oil inhalation on blood pressure and salivary cortisol levels in 83 people with prehypertension or hypertension.
Those in the essential oil group inhaled a blend of lavender, ylang-ylang, marjoram, and neroli over 24 hours.
After this, the participants’ daytime blood pressure and salivary cortisol levels significantly decreased, compared with those in the placebo and control groups.
However, in a 2014 study that included 100 participants, the researchers found that exposure to essential oil vapor for longer than 1 hour may be harmful to cardiovascular health.
Anyone interested in using essential oils to lower high blood pressure should talk to a doctor first. Also, it is important to only consider essential oils to be complementary treatments.
Essential oils do not pose major risks if people use them as directed. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) consider the majority of oils to be “generally recognized as safe.”
However, take the following precautions:
Do not ingest essential oils — only use them externally.
Always dilute essential oils with carrier oils before applying them to the skin. Undiluted oils can cause skin irritation.
Discuss essential oils with a doctor or another healthcare professional before trying them.
Avoid using essential oils close to the eyes. If the oil gets into an eye, rinse it thoroughly with water and contact a doctor.
Only use essential oils from reputable brands, and ensure that they have not expired.
Keep essential oils away from children and animals.
When spraying or diffusing oil preparations, consider others in the area. Some oils can cause harm to pregnant women, children, and animals.
It is especially important for people with underlying health issues, including asthma, and anyone taking supplements or medications to consult a doctor before trying essential oils.
If a person ingests an essential oil, adverse effects can be noticeable within 30 minutes, though they may take up to 4 hours to appear.
If a person has ingested essential oils, contact poison control or otherwise seek medical advice. People in the United States should call 1-800-222-1222.
The use of essential oils by pregnant women or around children is highly controversial.
There is a concern that, in pregnant women, topically applied oils may penetrate the placenta and affect the fetus. Also, inhaled molecules of these oils may pass to the fetus through the blood.
However, some essential oils may be safe for use during pregnancy. Pregnant women should consult their doctors before trying any essential oil.
Babies and older children have a greater risk of toxicity from essential oils than adults. Even 2 milliliters can cause significant poisoning in infants, for example.
Small amounts of some oils may be safe in certain circumstances, but it is always advisable to consult a doctor before using essential oils around children.
Overall, it is a good idea to avoid diffusing essential oils in the presence of children or pregnant women.
Some natural health professionals and enthusiasts advocate using essential oils to treat high blood pressure. However, there is not enough research to support the use of these oils for this purpose.
Essential oils are unlikely to be a suitable alternative to medication, dietary alterations, and lifestyle changes for people with hypertension.
Anyone who wishes to use essential oils as a complementary treatment should speak to a doctor first.
Q:
Which essential oils should people with high blood pressure avoid?
A:
Hyssop essential oil should be avoided, as it has isopinocamphones, which are known to raise blood pressure.
It would also make sense for people with high blood pressure to avoid stimulating essential oils, such as rosemary and citrus (lemon and grapefruit) oils.
Sage (unlike clary sage) would not be a good choice for someone with high blood pressure, as it contains thujone, which is known to increase blood pressure.
Debra Rose Wilson, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., IBCLC, AHN-BC, CHT Answers represent the opinions of our medical experts. All content is strictly informational and should not be considered medical advice.
People have used herbs as medicine for thousands of years. Today, with medical researchers continually hunting for better alternative treatments, some are revisiting these remedies. A recent study looks at herbs that people believe can treat hypertension.
Lavender was one of the plants that the scientists tested in the recent study.
Although dietary and lifestyle changes can sometimes be sufficient, medication is necessary in some cases.
Antihypertensive medications work well for some people but not for others, and the side effects can be unpleasant.
For these reasons, researchers are keen to find innovative ways to tackle the growing issue of hypertension.
Some scientists are turning back the clock and looking to ancient herbal remedies. Humans have been self-medicating with the herbs that they find since before history began.
The fact that people have used these treatments for millennia is certainly not evidence that they are effective, but they are surely worth a second look.
Researchers from the University of California, Irvine recently zeroed in on a group of plants that have, historically, been a treatment for hypertension. They published their findings in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
Diverse plants
The scientists took herbal extracts from a diverse range of unrelated plants, including lavender, fennel seed extract, basil, thyme, marjoram, ginger, and chamomile.
Under the leadership of Prof. Geoff Abbott, Ph.D., they identified a bioactive trait that all of the extracts shared. This trait, the scientists believe, might help explain why some herbs appear to have mild antihypertensive properties.
Specifically, they found that these herbs activate a particular potassium channel called KCNQ5. This potassium channel and others are present in the vascular smooth muscles — the muscles that line blood vessels.
When vascular smooth muscles contract, blood pressure increases; when they relax, blood pressure drops. The activation of KCNQ5 results in the relaxation of these muscles. The authors think that this might help explain some herbs’ antihypertensive properties.
“We found KCNQ5 activation to be a unifying molecular mechanism shared by a diverse range of botanical hypotensive folk medicines.”
Prof. Geoff Abbott, Ph.D.
The researchers also tested a range of other plants that research has not shown to reduce blood pressure, such as wheatgrass and parsley. In these cases, they found no activation of KCNQ5.
Not all herbs are equal
When they compared plant species, the researchers found differing levels of KCNQ5 activity. “Lavandula angustifolia, commonly called lavender, was among those we studied,” Prof. Abbot explains. “We discovered it to be among the most efficacious KCNQ5 potassium channel activators, along with fennel seed extract and chamomile.”
Next, the scientists drilled down to determine which plant compound is responsible for activating the potassium channel.
They isolated a chemical called aloperine, which is an alkaloid. In a further set of experiments, they demonstrated that aloperine opens KCNQ5 by binding to the foot of the potassium channel.
Interestingly, current medications do not target the KCNQ5 channel. Spotting this gap in the drug market, Prof. Abbott hopes that the “discovery of these botanical KCNQ5-selective potassium channel openers may enable development of future targeted therapies for diseases including hypertension.”
Of course, the road that runs between identifying a mechanism and getting a drug to market is long. It is also worth noting that the KCNQ group of receptors are relative newcomers and, as such, scientists do not yet know the full range of their functions.
However, because hypertension is so widespread, and because it increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases, such as stroke, there is likely to be significant interest in taking these ideas to the next stage.
For now, though, people should not switch their current hypertension treatments for herbal remedies.
