Peppermint oil is one of the oldest European herbs used for medicinal purposes and its menthol content is responsible for many of its therapeutic benefits. Its fragrance is pleasant and popularly found in shampoos, skin creams, … Please note: Avoid contact with eyes! 5 Essential Oils for Headaches and Migraine, Debra Sullivan, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., CNE, COI. If you’re taking iron supplements and peppermint oil, allow at least three hours between the two. What is peppermint oil used for? They found that patients rated their level of nausea as lower after inhaling peppermint oil. 5. Peppermint oil is under preliminary research for its potential as a short-term treatment for irritable bowel syndrome, and has supposed uses in traditional medicine for minor ailments. Peppermint oil is very effective for gastroscopy, colonoscopy, and during a double-contrast barium enema, where it is applied intraluminally. You can also add a drop of peppermint oil right to your store-bought toothpaste or add a drop under your tongue before drinking a glass of water. Symptoms like nausea and vomiting are also commonly present in the early stages of pregnancy. Researchers found that a one percent solution of peppermint oil led to improvements in how long itchiness lasted and the severity of the itch. Combining peppermint with lavender oil is also a great way to help your body relax and reduce muscle pain. The oil This is probably due to the way peppermint oil kills bacteria and fungus that can lead to cavities or infection. Overall, this combination treatment appears promising in relieving symptoms associated with functional dyspepsia. Wintergreen oil and menthol have been used to treat pain from tension headaches, migraine headaches, and other causes. Peppermint oil comes from the peppermint plant. This article is based on scientific evidence, written by experts and fact checked by our trained editorial staff. If you have any concerns or questions about using peppermint oil, you should speak to your doctor before using it. Then pour hot water over the leaves and let it steep for about 10 minutes. A review of plant-based insect repellents published in Malaria Journal found that the most effective plant essential oils used in bug repellents include peppermint, lemongrass, geraniol, pine, cedar, thyme and patchouli and clove. It’s considered safe when used appropriately. Use peppermint oil on a cotton swab to smother pesky ticks. You can find peppermint in several forms, including peppermint essential oil, peppermint leaves, peppermint spray and peppermint tablets. You may even find you start to breathe easier! It helps in easing nausea and indigestion and is an excellent alternative for treating cold and congestion. However, a recent review of studies examined the effects of aromatherapy on postoperative nausea. Read on to discover more about the forms of peppermint oil, its uses, and potential health benefits. So, what does modern research say about the benefits of peppermint oil? Since peppermint oil soothes, cools and invigorates, it’s the perfect ingredient for massage oil. Because peppermint oil for fleas is so effective, it’s commonly used in dog flea repellents. Peppermint essential oil can be extracted from the leaves of the peppermint plant and is used for a variety of different purposes. Peppermint is one of the most frequently used essential oils for headaches. To use: Add 2 drops of peppermint oil to a small dollop of olive or coconut oil, rub together in your hands, then rub on sore joints. It can be found naturally in North America and Europe. If you don’t feel like adding it to your bath directly, you can mix it into Epsom salts and create simple bath salts. One caution on peppermint: Avoid direct use of peppermint with infants and young children. Peppermint oil is likely safe when taken by mouth in amounts commonly found in food, and when used topically and aromatically. 8 Ways To Use Peppermint Essential Oil. To use peppermint oil as a natural headache remedy, simply apply 2–3 drops to your temples, forehead and back of neck. Yes! © 2005-2020 Healthline Media a Red Ventures Company. Peppermint is a hybrid species of spearmint and water mint (Mentha aquatica). Note that the numbers in parentheses (1, 2, etc.) First, after brushing, you can apply a drop of peppermint oil to your toothbrush to brush your tongue. For the study, women applied a combination of peppermint oil and sesame oil or placebo twice a day for two weeks. Pretty impressive, right? Although it’s such a beneficial and effective remedy, there are some peppermint essential oil warnings to keep in mind. Instead, using spearmint oil on cats may help to relieve nausea, diarrhea and other digestive issues. Irritable Bowel Syndrome is a common digestive disorder that benefits from the use of peppermint oil in a capsule. Apart from helping boost energy, it can promote healthy respiratory function, alleviate occasional stomach upset, and improve oral health … The patients were asked to rate their feelings of nausea on a scale of 0 to 5, with 5 being the greatest nausea. And a lab study published in the European Journal of Dentistry found that peppermint oil (along with tea tree oil and thyme essential oil) displayed antimicrobial activities against oral pathogens, including Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus fecalis, Escherichia coli and Candida albicans. Peppermint, also known as Mentha piperita, is a common herb. Inhaling peppermint after oral surgeries also help reduce the chances of infection along with noticeable pain relief. The FDA recommends only using essential oils according to manufacturer’s guidelines. The top uses for peppermint oil and peppermint benefits include its ability to: provide sinus care and other respiratory benefits, increase energy and improve exercise performance. Health Benefits and Uses Besides the plethora of household uses, peppermint oil also comes bearing various health benefits to individuals across the world. Peppermint oil is commonly used as flavoring in foods and beverages and as a fragrance in soaps and cosmetics. An in vitro study found that peppermint oil has a SPF (sun protection factor) value that’s higher than most other essential oils, including lavender, eucalyptus, tea tree and rose oils. Is peppermint oil good to drink? Another study investigated the use of a treatment gel for migraines. Peppermint oil is generally safe, but it can be toxic when taken in very large doses. Thirty healthy male college students were randomly divided into experimental and control groups. Researchers observed significant improvements in all of the tested variables ofter ingestion of peppermint oil. It is commonly used in many home remedies, home and personal care products, and it has many soothing and even medicinal properties. It can also … How Many Hours of Sleep Do You Really Need? It is also used as an ingredient in cough and cold preparations and as a carminative for IBS. With strict editorial sourcing guidelines, we only link to academic research institutions, reputable media sites and, when research is available, medically peer-reviewed studies. Peppermint has also been used to … These oils have shown to repel malaria, filarial and yellow fever vectors for 60–180 minutes. Peppermint oil can hydrate burnt skin and relieve the pain from sunburns. 25 Incredible Peppermint Oil Uses 1. Peppermint bark, anyone? Safety Precautions. A study shows that peppermint oil applied topically has pain relief benefits associated with fibromyalgia and myofascial pain syndrome. You can also make my Homemade Rosemary Mint Shampoo, make a peppermint oil spray by adding 5-10 drops of oil to a spray bottle filled with water, or simply massage 2–3 drops of peppermint oil into your scalp while showering. Peppermint essential oil is very strong and you should only sparingly use a “neat” or undiluted oil on your skin. The studies show that when patients took one to two peppermint oil capsules three times a day for 24 weeks, it improved their general symptoms and … Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. A further study showed that peppermint oil resulted in 150 minutes of complete protection time against mosquitos, with just 0.1 mL of oil applied on the arms. However, peppermint oil wasn’t effective in comparison to simethicone drops in treating colic. It also has cooling, invigorating and antispasmodic properties. For Headaches. A triple-blind clinical trial involving 96 randomly selected pregnant women diagnosed with pruritus tested peppermint’s ability to improve symptoms. For some people, ingesting it may cause peppermint oil side effects for some that include heartburn, flushing, mouth sores and headache. Researchers found that treatment with peppermint oil improved abdominal pain and other symptoms of IBS. Here's what the research says. Some people use peppermint oil as part of their beauty and hair care regimen. It’s also valued for its cooling effects and helps to relieve sore muscles when used topically. A lab study published in the European Journal of Medical Research found that menthol displayed potential therapeutic efficacy for the treatment of chronic inflammatory disorders such as allergic rhinitis, colitis and bronchial asthma. To boost your oral health and freshen your breath, try making my Homemade Baking Soda Toothpaste or Homemade Mouthwash. It can also be used to help prevent sunburn. You can also diffuse 5 drops of peppermint or apply 2–3 drops topically to your temples, chest and back of neck. Another study found that peppermint oil showed no antimicrobial activity against a species of Streptococcus. We’ll explore some of that research below. One such study found that the compound menthol inhibits prostate cancer growth by inducing cell death and regulating cellular processes. Debra Rose Wilson, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., IBCLC, AHN-BC, CHT, 12 Science-Backed Benefits of Peppermint Tea and Extracts, New At-Home Treatment for IBS Focuses on Mind Over Body, Try This: 18 Essential Oils for Sore Muscles. Here's how you can find…. I don’t recommend using peppermint oil for cats because it may cause adverse side effects. The researchers noted that after 150 minutes, the efficacy of peppermint oil decreased and needed to be reapplied. Historically, it has been used to reduce itchiness and the discomfort of inflammation, headaches, and joint pains. Tried-and-true for well over 1,000 years, mint oil has been used to naturally freshen breath. What if you haven’t…. Bath Salts. Today, peppermint oil is recommended for its anti-nausea benefits and soothing effects on the gastric lining and colon. You may be familiar with the coolness in your mouth after you consume something with a peppermint flavor. Prevents Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) Peppermint oil can be used for urinary tract infections (UTI). Our team includes licensed nutritionists and dietitians, certified health education specialists, as well as certified strength and conditioning specialists, personal trainers and corrective exercise specialists. Peppermint Oil Use #1: Digestive Problems. Before using peppermint oil on your infant, I recommend that you discuss this treatment plan with your child’s pediatrician. possible treatment for epilepsy. Here are some safe and effective ways to use peppermint oil in your day-to-day routine: Diffuse it. including:. Whatever your reasoning, Peppermint essential oil is a fantastic option when used in massages. Researchers found that the mean crying time among infants with colic went from 192 minutes per day to 111 minutes per day. When it comes to diabetes patients, the use of peppermint oil can cause a very low glucose level or hypoglycemia. Sleep is absolutely crucial for your physical and mental health. Peppermint oil is especially helpful in alleviating a tension headache, in one clinical trial performing as well as acetaminophen. Not all carbs are created equal. In addition to this, peppermint essential oil displays antimicrobial properties, which is why it can be used to fight infections and even freshen your breath. It’s recommended using peppermint oil topically for dogs by adding it to dog-friendly shampoos. This makes peppermint oil for spiders, peppermint oil for ants, peppermint oil for mice and other pests an effective and natural rebelling agent. A review of essential oils as potential antimicrobials to treat skin diseases published in Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine found that peppermint oil is effective when used to reduce blackheads, chicken pox, greasy skin, dermatitis, inflammation, itchy skin, ringworm, scabies and sunburn. If you’re new to using peppermint oil, it’s a good idea to try a patch test on a small area of skin before applying peppermint oil to larger surfaces. Essential oils may be used as an alternative remedy for soothing headaches and migraine attacks. Some possible side effects from taking peppermint extract orally include heartburn, nausea, and vomiting. 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