Comparison of the effects of Echium amoenum and Melissa officinalis on hypertension in stage 1 hypertensive patients: A randomized, triple-blind, three-arm clinical trial

Hypertension is one of the most prevalent chronic diseases worldwide, and stage 1 hypertension provides a critical window for implementing non-pharmacological interventions. Herbal remedies such as Melissa officinalis and Echium amoenum have shown promising effects on cardiovascular health. In this randomized, triple-blind clinical trial, 105 patients with stage 1 hypertension were randomly assigned to three groups: Melissa officinalis (n=35), Echium amoenum (n=35), and control (n=35). Participants received 10mL of the assigned extract or placebo daily for four weeks. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure were measured weekly. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 26. The Shapiro-Wilk test indicated that the distribution of blood pressure values was not normal (p<0.05); therefore, non-parametric tests were used Significant within-group reductions in both SBP and DBP were observed in the Melissa officinalis and Echium amoenum groups (p<0.001). The Melissa officinalis group had the greatest decrease in SBP (8mmHg) and DBP (4mmHg). Between-group comparisons showed significant differences favoring Melissa officinalis over both other groups at weeks 2, 3, and 4 (p<0.001). Both Melissa officinalis and Echium amoenum effectively reduced blood pressure in patients with stage 1 hypertension, with Melissa officinalis demonstrating superior efficacy. These findings support the use of Melissa officinalis as a complementary treatment for hypertension management.