Effects of Essential Oils on Hypertension
NOTE: This is a research article regarding using essential oils as a helper for supporting cardiovascular health and managing hypertension, otherwise known as high blood pressure. If you have high blood pressure, you should seek medical advice. You’ll find a list of excellent choices for essential oils to use to support your heart in the appendix at the bottom!
As a certified aromatherapist and herbalist, I am not a medical doctor. However, I’ve had experience using natural methods, such as essential oils and herbs, as well as lifestyle shifts, to help myself and many clients either manage blood pressure naturally or as an adjunct strategy with medications. Here are some things to know based on scientific clinical studies and personal experience.
Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is a common yet potentially serious health problem. In our modern times, with certain lifestyle choices, high levels of stress, exposure to environmental toxins, as well as family genetics or other underlying health problems hypertension is a common issue, especially as a person ages. Usually, the standard procedure for high blood pressure is to visit a medical doctor and be prescribed a plethora of pharmaceutical drugs that simply cover the symptoms.
But what if we could use alternative methods and lifestyle changes to manage high blood pressure? What if we could be empowered to not even need medications at all? All of our bodies are unique and varied, so what works for me may or may not work for someone else. This is important to recognize, because while some individuals may need pharmaceuticals, others may not.
This article is an exploration of how essential oils and aromatherapy can be a viable avenue and adjunct method for providing a better quality of life for ourselves and clients in terms of supporting cardiovascular wellness and stress reduction.
The reason I’m interested in this topic is because I’ve personally been diagnosed with serious hypertension in the distant past. After a series of pharmaceuticals not only didn’t significantly improve my high blood pressure, but actually exacerbated other issues (such as edema in the lower extremities), I decided to take matters into my own hands and manage my high blood pressure naturally.
The thought of being on drugs and then more drugs to treat the side effects of the initial drugs wasn’t palatable or acceptable to me and not how I choose to live my life. I chose to examine all the lifestyle choices I could find information on to help my cause, and essential oils were (and still are) one of the methods I use to keep my blood pressure within normal limits without medications these days.
You can watch me make an amazing massage oil that I personally use to help me manage my blood pressure in a natural and healthy way in the video below! And please subscribe!
Essential oils can have profound effects on the terrain of the body, mind, and spirit. The entire human terrain works together to keep the body in a balanced state for optimal health. One body organ and system highly affected by stress (physical, mental, and emotional) is the heart and cardiovascular system, with imbalance often presenting as high blood pressure, or hypertension.
Proper essential oil use can have helpful benefits for those experiencing high blood pressure, especially since essential oils have such powerful effects on the moods, emotions and stress levels of individuals. In fact, essential oils have clinically studied and very profound effects on stress levels of all kinds, and as we know now, stress directly impacts our healthy hearts.
As an herbalist, aromatherapist, wellness researcher, and blogger, one of the questions I get asked most is how I manage my high blood pressure without medications. Although I don’t suggest others do this, I’ve made the personal choice not to take conventional pharmaceuticals.
Besides herbs and lifestyle choices, essential oils play a large part in my successful use of natural remedies in managing my hypertension. This paper is a review of current clinical studies, opinions from reputable aromatherapists, and my own anecdotal experiences about how using essential oils can be helpful for your heart, specifically hypertension.
NOTE: For Latin binomials, see a complete list of essential oils mentioned in this paper in the appendix.
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Relevant Clinical Research Proving Effectiveness of Essential Oil Use for Managing Hypertension
In one study, researchers found that aroma massage performed weekly by a professional and daily with a lotion at home on middle-aged women (mean age of 40) with hypertension had significant positive effects. The experimental group received massage oils using essential oils, the placebo group received massage with oils containing fragrance oils, and the control group received no treatment. Results showed a significant difference in home systolic blood pressure between groups after interventions.
There was also a significant difference in systolic blood pressure and diastolic pressure in the laboratory between the aroma massage and the placebo groups. The conclusion of the researchers was that aroma massage “may help improve patient quality of life and maintain health as a nursing intervention in daily life.” (Ju et.al, 2013)
Aroma massage can be very helpful to stimulate both blood and lymph circulation, as well as improving oxygen and nutrient levels to the body’s cells. It’s highly effective for relieving pain, relaxing tension in muscles, and soothing any emotional disturbances. Because women in middle age often experience shifts in adrenal cortex hormones and other changes to the autonomic nervous system, blood pressure is often one of the unwanted consequences of aging for women. This study specifically found that using aroma massage and body cream infused with essential oils was beneficial. (Ju et.al, 2013)
Another study conducted in 2012 purposed to “identify the effects of essential oil inhalation on the 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure (BP) and salivary cortisol level in 83 prehypertensive and hypertensive subjects.” The experimental group inhaled an essential oil blend made with lavender, ylang-ylang, marjoram, and neroli at ratios of 20:15:10:2. The placebo group was asked to inhale artificial fragrance, and the control group received no treatment.
The daytime systolic blood pressure of the experimental group showed significant decreases in blood pressure as compared with the other two groups. The experimental group also showed significant decreases in salivary cortisol in comparison as well. The study concluded with researchers stating “the inhalation of an essential oil had immediate and continuous effects on the home SBP, daytime BP, and the stress reduction. Essential oils may have relaxation effects for controlling hypertension.” (Kim, et.al, 2012)
Lavender is one of the most common essential oils used for reducing feelings of anxiousness. Find out more about using lavender in the FREE Home Remedy Guide and Cheat Sheet.
A study conducted in 2006 measured the effects of inhaling essential oils on blood pressure and the stress responses of clients with hypertension. Fifty-two subjects were divided into an experimental group using essential oils, a placebo group, and a control group. Lavender, ylang ylang, and bergamot were blended and inhaled once a day for four weeks. Blood pressure was measured twice a week, and serum cortisol levels, catecholamine levels, subjective stress, and anxiety were measured before and after treatments in all three groups.
Excitingly, “the blood pressure, pulse, subjective stress, state anxiety, and serum cortisol levels among the three groups were significantly statistically different. The differences of catecholamine among the three groups were not significant statistically.” Conclusions based on the results are that the inhalation method of using essential oils can benefit clients with hypertension. (Hwang, 2006)
In a different study conducted in 2004, inhalation of essential oils was prevented in order to see if transdermal conduction of essential oils would have an effect. One ml of 20% sandalwood oil (x-santalol) was placed in peanut oil and rubbed onto the abdominal area of study participants. A small, yet significant reduction in both systolic and diastolic pressures were noted in comparison to other groups in the study. The conclusion was that this was certainly a physiological effect from the essential oils via absorption through the skin. (Hongratanaworakit et al 2004)
There are also many animal studies that have been conducted over the years. I take these with a grain of salt because animals’ bodies generally act differently than a human body. One example of this is a study done using lavender essential oil on rats, which did show decreases on blood pressure. When the study was recreated using healthy young men, no decrease was noticed (Tisserand and Young, 2014).
Many studies show promising results with the use of essential oils and aromatherapy for helping with blood pressure, especially high blood pressure. I’m hopeful even more studies will be performed on humans so that we can have more relevant studies on which to base our decisions when working with clients.
Specifically, I hope more of the chemistry of the essential oils will be studied, noted, and shared. It’s exciting that more and more research is showing that essential oils can indeed be helpful strategies in alternative natural health practices. Until more studies come available (and they’re in the works), we can certainly rely upon what we know so far.
Blood Pressure: What do Mainstream Reputable Aromatherapists Say?
One question arose while researching whether or not essential oils can be helpful with lowering blood pressure, and this was: Can essential oils raise blood pressure? Are any of them potentially dangerous for people with high blood pressure?And does the route of administration matter?
Here’s what I found from researching modern aromatherapists’ use of essential oils:
It turns out, the route of administration, as well as the specific essential oils used, may play a role in the effects on blood pressure. In Tisserand and Young’s esteemed book, Essential Oil Safety, oral administration, inhalation, and dermal use is discussed. It appears that definite answers may not be had based on studies cited, however, there are some broad conclusions that can be drawn.
The studies Tisserand and Young cite on oral administration look promising, as there are two citations showing that the use of geranium essential oil and garlic oil were both helpful. In the study with geranium essential oil, participants took 0.45 mL/day for two months and had significantly positive results. I figured out the numbers of drops, and if my math is correct, that would be nine drops per day approximately. If a person took 3 drops internally three times a day, this seems like a reasonable experiment to try, as long as the internal use was safe and appropriate (essential oils in a lipid in capsule form, perhaps). No negative results of studies done on ingestion of essential oils were presented.
NOTE: Essential oils should NEVER be added to your drinks, such as water, tea, kombucha, etc. to drink. The essential oils sit on top of the water, and even when mixed in separate very quickly. They are powerful, and can negatively impact mucous membranes in your digestive tract….even in places you can’t feel.
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Next was the inhalation method. I found this section so interesting because some essential oils actually were shown to raise blood pressure temporarily, specifically with grapefruit, fennel, black pepper, and tarragon oils. However, other essential oils caused a reduction in blood pressure, including cedar wood (cedrol), lavender, bergamot, and ylang ylang.
It’s notable that “both psychological and pharmacological processes were determined to be responsible for increases in BP in humans following 30 minutes of inhalation of certain chemical components in the essential oils (limonene and carvone).” Tisserand and Young go on to state, “Dermal administration of essential oil constituents can cause reductions in BP due to local effects. Conversely, most inhalation studies have reported BP increases.” I find this fascinating because I personally find inhalers and diffusion so helpful for calming and soothing, which in turn should lower blood pressure.
Furthermore, as a final statement on essential oils’ effects on blood pressure, “the mode of administration can play a significant role in the resulting effect. For example, hypertension and convulsions can both be caused by acute methyl salicylate poisoning. However, topically applied methyl salicylate lowers BP through local effects….We have already seen that in rats, {+}-limonene lowered BP on iv injection, but raised it on inhalation. Since different effects on BP seem to be possible from different methods of administration, those from inhalation or dermal absorption should not be assumed to reflect those of iv administration.” (Tisserand and Young)
Therefore, although inhalation may work to an extent, the best way to use essential oils for reducing blood pressure is topical use in a localized manner. **You can see an example of a wonderful massage oil recipe I personally use for my stress levels, and to help me get back to sleep if I wake in the middle of the night here on YouTube!
Also, in terms of safety of essential oils, even those that are thought to increase blood pressure, “there is no clear evidence that essential oil have adverse effects on the control of bP in humans.” There’s just no case for the contraindications of any essential oil use in terms of raising blood pressure significantly. (Tisserand and Young)
Julia Lawless, in her book The Encyclopedia of Essential Oils, addresses blood pressure to an extent when discussing circulation. She states that warming essential oils can be very helpful for stimulating circulation, and some essential oils, such as hyssop, actually have balancing actions, much like an alterative herb would have on the body.
As an herbalist, I love alterative herbs because they can be so useful in providing that balanced state we so need. I’m excited to see that some essential oils may have this quality as well. Here are some essential oils she specifically lists that are helpful for hypertension: sweet marjoram, ylang ylang, lavender, and lemon. She also suggests garlic, melissa, clary sage, and yarrow.
Nerys Purchon and Lora Cantele in their book, The Complete Aromatherapy & Essential Oils: Handbook for Everyday Wellness, also have a section dedicated to high blood pressure. They recommend using massage for relieving stress and being a useful adjunct to medical treatment. Essential oils they list as being helpers include: Eucalyptus citriodora, geranium, lavender, lemon, mandarin, marjoram, melissa, neroli, yarrow, and ylang ylang.
In his book, The Healing Power of Essential Oils, Eric Zielinski has a section called “stocking your medicine cabinet.” Here he lists a few essential oils that he deems necessary for the average lay person to have stocked. The essential oils he mentions having the ability to affect hypertension positively because of their ability to reduce the effects of stress specifically, include ylang ylang (which he also states is a harmonizer and balancer, much as hyssop is above), geranium, neroli, and spikenard.
He also briefly discusses the relationship between stress and hypertension, as well as other effects on the body having to do with stress such as libido, pulse rate, and estrogen concentrations. By managing stress with essential oils, it’s possible to instigate positive effects on blood pressure, in addition to other bodily processes affected by stress.
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My Personal Anecdotal Evidence on the Effects of Essential Oils and Hypertension
When I was first diagnosed with high blood pressure, over ten years ago, I was frightened by my doctor into using typical big Pharma drugs such as Losartin and then consequently, a diuretic to ameliorate the subsequent lower body swelling and water retention (edema). I gained weight on this medication, and I felt terrible. At the time, I was still teaching public elementary school, and by the end of the day, my feet hurt so badly from swelling up, I couldn’t walk without excruciating pain. I was on those drugs for three months.
The doctor wanted to also put me on a statin drug for high cholesterol, and I refused that one because when I checked into my test results, my good cholesterol was high, while my bad cholesterol was borderline. When I asked him about natural methods and lifestyle changes in lieu of taking drugs, he literally laughed at me. He told me, “People don’t stick with those. You’re going to have a stroke unless you take medicine.”
Well, after taking the medications for three months, I had very little positive results on the blood pressure front, and I suffered terrible consequences with side effects. I decided to get off them cold turkey and take matters into my own hands.
I chose a combination of herbs, both those I prepared myself as well as some commercial supplements; lifestyle changes (losing weight, exercising, and not watching the news); and using essential oils. I’ve added some of these helpers over the years, such as the essential oils, when I started learning more about them. I’m so blessed and grateful that I invested in my health and took courses. It was in this way I learned how to use herbs and essential oils skillfully, safely, effectively, and on many practical levels.
Although I’ve tried many different essential oil blends and combinations to help me deal with stress, mood, and by extension my high blood pressure, there are several essential oils that always seem to help me quite a bit. These include neroli, lavender, ylang ylang, sweet marjoram (one of my favorites), the citrus oils, pinyon pine, and yarrow. I can always rely on these little helpers, as well as my beloved herbs. I’ve also had great results using some of these blends with clients!
The last time I checked my blood pressure, it was within normal limits…with no prescription medications in many years. Prior to writing this research paper, I was sure, through my own experience, that essential oils are helpful for reducing blood pressure, at least temporarily. I love being able to cite actual research studies that prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that essential oils can be an effective strategy for helping people deal with stress and the potential resulting hypertension.
Stay tuned and check back often OR get notifications in my weekly newsletter….I’m asked so often about what exactly I do to keep my blood pressure in normal ranges, that I’ll be sharing my personal protocol in an article soon. Keep in mind that we’re all different and what works for me may not work for you, however, it will give you a starting point.
Appendix of Helpful Essential Oils Mentioned and Their Latin Binomials
Watch a video of me making my own Stress Management Blend that I personally use daily to help me with my own blood pressure, you can see this on YouTube.
Bergamot (Citrus bergamia)
Cedarwood (Juniperus virginiana)
Clary Sage (Salvia sclarea)
Eucalyptus citriodora
Geranium (Pelargonium graveolens)
Hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis)
Lavender (Lavandula anguvstifolia)
Lemon (Citrus limon)
Mandarin (Citrus reticulata)
Melissa (Melissa officinalis)
Neroli (Citrus aurantium var. vugaris)
Sandalwood (Santalum album)
Spikenard (Nardostachys jatamansi)
Sweet Marjoram (Origanum majorana)
Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)
Ylang Ylang (Cananga odorata)
**I love buying my essential oils at Rocky Mountain Oils or Starwest Botanicals!
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Final Thoughts on Using Essential Oils as an Adjunct Strategy for Helping Hypertension
I have to say that I’m truly blessed to have been able to invest in my knowledge of herbs and essential oils as helpers for my own health and wellness, as well as others. Natural remedies can and do work, can be extremely effective, and in the big scheme of things, are far safer (in my opinion) than pharmaceuticals and their side effects.
The time to start learning how to use the plants around you and essential oils you can purchase and store easily is RIGHT NOW. Do this while you’re still well. Understanding essential oils and herbs and knowing how to use them skillfully and effectively may mean the difference for you between a wonderful quality of life and a poor one.
There’s never a better time than now to start learning and doing!
I hope you’ll join me in my student groups and learn with us! You can find out more at:
The Healing Harvest Homestead School of Herbalism, Aromatherapy, and Traditional Skills
The membership for essential oils: The Confident Oily Crew
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You may also enjoy these related articles:
8 Easy Things to Do Every Day for a Healthy Heart
Herbs for Supporting Heart Health
Lower Your Cholesterol Naturally
How to Make Your Own Fire Cider for Immune Health
Immune System Boosting Soup Recipe: Delicious, Easy, Fast!
And there are over 500 more articles on my website! Go Explore!
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Hugs, Health, and Self-Reliance,
Heidi
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Disclaimer: I’m not a medical doctor. I’m a certified aromatherapist and herbalist, and I work on wellness with clients. All information I provide is only for information and not meant or implied to cure, treat, diagnose, or prevent any disease or illness. Please be sure to seek advice from your medical doctor before using herbs or essential oils, especially if you’re on medications, are pregnant/nursing, or have health concerns.
References
Hongratanaworakit, T., et al. (2004). Evaluation of the effects of East Indian sandalwood oil and alpha-santalol on humans after transdermal absorption. Plants Med. 70, 3-7 via Tisserand, R and Young, R. Essential Oil Safety, 2nd Ed. Churchill Livingstone Elsevier.
Hwang, Jin Hee. (2006). The Effects of the Inhalation Method Using Essential Oils on Blood Pressure and Stress Responses of Clients with Essential Hypertension. J Korean Acad Nurs. 2006 Dec; 36(7):1123-1134. Published online 2006 Dec 31. https://jkan.or.kr/DOIx.php?id=10.4040/jkan.2006.36.7.1123 Retrieved 11/24/2020 from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17211115/
Ju, Myeong-Sook, et.al. (2013). Effects of Aroma Massage on Home Blood Pressure, Ambulatory Blood Pressure, and Sleep Quality in Middle-Aged Women with Hypertension. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. Published online 2013 Jan 30. https://www.hindawi.com/journals/ecam/2013/403251/ Retrieved 11/24/2020 from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3570933/
Kim, In-Hee, et.al. (2012). Essential Oil Inhalation on Blood Pressure and Salivary Cortisol Levels in Prehypertensive and Hypertensive Subjects. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. Published online 2012 Nov 19. https://www.hindawi.com/journals/ecam/2012/984203/. Retrieved 11/24/2020 from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3521421/
Lawless, Julia. (2013). The Encyclopedia of Essential Oils: The Complete Guide to the Use of Aromatic Oils in Aromatherapy, Herbalism, Health, & Well-Being. San Francisco: Conari Press.
Purchon, Nerys and Cantele, Lora. (2014). The Complete Aromatherapy & Essential Oils: Handbook for Everyday Wellness. Ontario, Canada. Robert Rose, Inc.
Tisserand, Robert and Young, Rodney. (2014). Essential Oil Safety, 2nd Ed. Churchill Livingstone Elsevier. 112-115.
Zielinski, Eric. (2018). The Healing Power of Essential Oils: Soothe Inflammation, Boost Mood, Prevent Autoimmunity, and Feel Great in Every Way. New York: Harmony Books.