Discover the 15 shocking health benefits of peppermint oil and side effects.
Peppermint oil is considered by various researchers as one of the most versatile essential oils in existence.
It can be used aromatically, topically, and internally to treat several health problems, from muscle aches and seasonal allergy symptoms to digestive and low-energy issues.
The health benefits of peppermint oil are also commonly used to increase energy levels and improve the health of skin and hair.
It’s no wonder why peppermint oil is one of the most popular essential oils in the world, and why I recommend that everyone have it in their medicine cabinet at home.
Health benefits of peppermint oil
1.- Relieve muscle and joint pain
If you are wondering if peppermint oil is good for pain, the answer is a resounding “yes.”
It is highly mentioned for being a natural pain reliever and an extraordinary muscle relaxant that works very effectively.
It also has cooling, invigorating and antispasmodic properties.
Peppermint oil is especially helpful in relieving a tension headache, in a clinical trial that performs just as well as paracetamol.
When talking about the benefits of peppermint oil, it should not be overlooked, that when applied topically it progressively favors the symptoms of various pain associated with fibromyalgia and myofascial pain syndrome.
Peppermint oil, together with eucalyptus, menthol, capsaicin, and other herbal preparations are believed to be helpful because they work as topical pain relievers.
To use peppermint oil for pain relief, simply apply no more than three drops topically to the area of concern three times a day, add 5 drops to a warm Epsom salt bath, or try my Homemade Muscle Rub recipe.
The combination of peppermint with lavender oil is also a great way to help your body relax and reduce muscle pain.
2.- Breast care and other respiratory benefits
Inhaling diffused peppermint oil can help unclog the sinuses and offer relief from a sore throat.
Peppermint acts as an expectorant, helps open the airways, clears mucus, and reduces congestion, and is one of the best essential oils for colds, flu, coughs, sinusitis, asthma, bronchitis, and others.
Laboratory studies show that the compounds found in peppermint oil have antimicrobial, antiviral, and antioxidant properties, meaning they can also help fight infections that lead to symptoms that affect the respiratory tract.
3.- Remedy for seasonal sensitivity
If you are looking to effectively relax your nasal muscles and help remove dirt and pollen from your airways during allergy season, you need to make use of the benefits of peppermint oil.
It is considered one of the best essential oils for allergies due to its expectorant, anti-inflammatory, and invigorating properties.
Menthol shows potential therapeutic efficacy for the treatment of chronic inflammatory disorders such as allergic rhinitis, colitis, and bronchial asthma.
To help relieve seasonal allergy symptoms, diffuse peppermint and eucalyptus oil at home, or apply 2-3 drops of peppermint oil topically to the temples, chest, and nape of the neck.
4.- Increase energy and increase exercise performance
Taking a few puffs of peppermint now and then will help boost your energy levels on long road trips, at school, or any other time you need to “burn off the midnight oil.”
When inhaled, it contributes to the improvement of memory status as well as alertness.
And it can be used to enhance your physical performance, whether you need a little boost during your weekly workouts or are training for a sporting event.
Exercise performance can be enhanced through the benefits of peppermint oil;
To boost your energy levels and improve focus with peppermint oil, take 1-2 drops internally with a glass of water, or apply 2-3 drops topically to your temples and the back of the neck.
5.- Benefits of peppermint oil for headaches
If you want to improve circulation, calm the intestine and relax tense muscles, the health benefits of peppermint oil are the best option to achieve this.
All of these conditions can cause tension headaches or migraines, making peppermint oil one of the best essential oils for headaches.
When you manage to mix a little peppermint oil, with a little bit of eucalyptus oil and ethanol, you can get a characteristic pain-relieving consequence with a reduction in sensitivity to headaches.
When these oils were applied to the forehead and temples, they also increased cognitive performance and had a muscle relaxation and mental relaxation effect.
To use peppermint oil as a natural headache remedy, simply apply 2-3 drops to your temples, forehead, and back of the neck.
6.- Improves IBS symptoms
Peppermint oil taken internally in capsule form is effective in the natural treatment of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
Peppermint oil reduces spasms in the colon, relaxes the muscles of the intestines, and can help reduce bloating and gas.
Recently, a 50 percent reduction in IBS symptoms was found with 75 percent of patients using it.
When 57 patients with IBS were treated with two capsules of peppermint oil twice daily for four weeks or placebo.
The majority of patients in the peppermint group experienced improved symptoms, including reduced abdominal bleeding, abdominal pain, or discomfort, diarrhea, constipation, and urgency in defecation.
To help ease the symptoms of IBS, try taking 1-2 drops of peppermint oil internally with a glass of water or adding it to a capsule before meals. You can also apply 2-3 drops topically to your abdomen.
7.- Freshen Breath and Support Oral Health
Tried and true for over 1000 years, the benefits of peppermint oil have been used to naturally freshen the breath.
This is likely due to the way peppermint oil kills bacteria and fungi that can lead to cavities or infections.
Peppermint oil (along with tea tree oil and thyme essential oil) exhibited antimicrobial activities against oral pathogens, including Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus fecal, Escherichia coli, and Candida albicans.
To boost your oral health and freshen your breath, you can add a drop of peppermint oil directly to your store-bought toothpaste or add a drop under your tongue before drinking a glass of water.
8.- Promote hair growth and reduce dandruff
Many people ask me “what do the health benefits of peppermint oil do for your hair?”
Peppermint oil is used in many high-quality hair care products because it can naturally thicken and nourish damaged hair.
It can be used as a natural hair thinning treatment, and helps stimulate the scalp and energize your mind.
Besides, menthol is a powerful antiseptic agent, so it can help eliminate germs that can accumulate in the hair.
Menthol is even used in dandruff shampoos.
The efficacy of peppermint oil for hair growth was demonstrated during research in mice, showing that after topical application of peppermint for four weeks, there was a significant increase in dermal thickness, number of follicles, and depth of the follicle.
Peppermint oil was more effective than topical application of saline, jojoba oil, and minoxidil, a drug used for hair growth.
To promote hair growth and nourish your hair, simply add 2-3 drops of peppermint to your shampoo and conditioner.
9.- Relieves itching
Research shows that the menthol content found in peppermint oil inhibits itching.
To help relieve peppermint itchiness, simply apply 2-3 drops topically to the area of concern or add 5-10 drops to a warm bath.
If using peppermint on sensitive skin, combine it with equal parts oil before topical application.
You can also combine peppermint oil with lavender oil to relieve itching, as lavender has calming properties.
10.- Benefits of peppermint oil for bugs
Unlike us humans, several little creatures hate the smell of peppermint oil, including ants, spiders, cockroaches, mosquitoes, mice, and possibly even lice.
A review found that the most effective plant essential oils used in bug repellants include peppermint, lemongrass, geraniol, pine, cedar, thyme, and patchouli, and cloves.
These oils have been shown to repel vectors of malaria, filaria, and yellow fever for 60-180 minutes.
11.- Reduce nausea
To get rid of nausea, simply inhale peppermint oil straight from the bottle, add a drop of peppermint oil to a glass of distilled water, or rub 1-2 drops behind the ears.
12.- Improves colic symptoms
There is research to suggest that the benefits of peppermint oil may be helpful as a natural colic remedy.
For years, it has been believed and mentioned by various specialists that the frequent use of the health benefits of peppermint oil is usually as effective as some recognized drugs such as Simethicone, especially to treat infantile colic, without the associated side effects with prescription drugs.
The researchers found that the average crying time among colicky babies went from 192 minutes per day to 111 minutes per day.
All mothers reported an equal decrease in the frequency and duration of colic episodes between those using peppermint oil and Simethicone, a drug used to relieve gas, bloating, and stomach discomfort.
For the study, the babies received one drop of Mentha piperita per kilogram of body weight once a day for seven days.
Before using peppermint oil on your baby, I recommend that you discuss this treatment plan with your child’s pediatrician.
13.- Benefits of peppermint oil for skin
Peppermint oil has soothing, smoothing, toning, and anti-inflammatory effects on the skin when used topically.
Peppermint oil also has antiseptic and antimicrobial properties.
A review of essential oils as possible antimicrobials for treating skin conditions found peppermint oil to be effective when used to reduce blackheads, chickenpox, oily skin, dermatitis, inflammation, itchy skin, ringworm, scabies, and tanning.
To improve the health of your skin and use peppermint oil as a home remedy for acne, mix 2-3 drops of peppermint with lavender essential oil in equal parts and apply the combination topically to the area of concern.
14.- Defense and relief against sun wounds
Another of the great peculiarities and favors that the health benefits of peppermint oil provide is that it can hydrate burned skin and relieve the pain of sunburn.
It can also be used to help prevent sunburn; Peppermint oil was found to have an SPF (sun protection factor) value that is higher than most other essential oils, including lavender, eucalyptus, tea tree, and rose oils.
To help heal the skin after sun exposure and to help protect the skin against sunburn, mix 2-3 drops of peppermint oil with a half teaspoon of coconut oil and apply directly to the skin, or make Let my natural homemade sunburn spray to relieve pain and support healthy skin renewal.
15.- Benefits of peppermint oil for cancer
Although more research is needed in this area, some laboratory studies indicate that peppermint may be useful as an anticancer agent.
One such study found that the menthol compound inhibits the growth of prostate cancer by inducing cell death and regulating cellular processes.
Side effects of peppermint oil
Peppermint oil is probably safe when taken by mouth in amounts commonly found in food, and when used topically and aromatically.
If you’ve ever wondered if peppermint oil is good for you, the answer is generally yes, but only in small amounts.
Taking excessive amounts of peppermint oil by mouth can be toxic, so remember that a little goes a long way and all you need is 1 to 2 drops at a time.
You should keep in mind that certain people can develop a series of side effects when ingesting peppermint oil, among the most notable are certain symptoms such as heartburn, hot flashes, mouth sores, and headaches.
It is not recommended to use peppermint oil on the face or chest of babies or young children because it can cause skin irritations.
When using peppermint on sensitive skin, always dilute with a carrier oil (such as coconut oil) first.
Similarly, there is a considerable amount of medications, both prescription and over-the-counter, that tend to interact negatively with the consumption of peppermint oil, especially those supplements based on spearmint, which, in general, trigger stomach pains, recurrent nausea, and improper absorption of some drugs.
As if that were not enough, it has been shown through various investigations that one of the side effects of peppermint is that it usually reduces the absorption of iron as long as you eat both products at the same time.
That is, if you are taking a supplement to absorb iron parallel to peppermint oil, you must run at least three hours between one dose and another.
Peppermint oil also increases the absorption of quercetin, especially when taken at the same time, so it is recommended to wait two to three hours to take the doses corresponding to your treatment.
Final thoughts
Peppermint is known for its refreshing, invigorating, expectorant, antimicrobial, antispasmodic, energy-enhancing, and analgesic properties.
Peppermint oil is one of the oldest European herbs used medicinally and its menthol content is responsible for many of its therapeutic benefits.
Uses of peppermint oil
The main uses of peppermint oil include its ability to:
• relieve muscle and joint pain
• provide sinus care and other respiratory benefits
• provide seasonal allergy relief
• increase energy and improve exercise performance
• relieve headaches
• improve IBS symptoms
• freshen breath and support oral health
• promotes hair growth and reduces dandruff
• relieve itching
• repel bugs naturally
• reduce nausea
• improve colic symptoms
• improve skin health
• provide sunburn protection and relief.
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