Peppermint Essential Oil Benefits
Peppermint essential oil is a powerful natural remedy known for its effectiveness in treating various conditions due to its unique composition. Key components like menthol provide soothing relief from headaches and digestive issues, while menthone helps reduce nausea. Eucalyptol offers anti-inflammatory benefits, and borneol acts as a pain reliever. Additionally, limonene enhances mood and has antioxidant properties.
Studies have demonstrated peppermint oil's benefits on conditions such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), migraine relief, respiratory issues, chemotherapy-induced nausea, and even improving cognitive function. For example, research shows that peppermint oil can significantly alleviate abdominal pain in IBS patients and is as effective as lidocaine in treating migraines. These findings highlight peppermint essential oil as a versatile and beneficial addition to your wellness routine.
Here are just 5 studies that show how peppermint essential oils benefits many conditions such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), migraine headaches, respiratory conditions (colds, asthma, etc.), nausea and fatigue.
Study 1: Benefits Diarrhea Predominant Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Study: Efficacy of Peppermint oil in diarrhea predominant IBS conducted in the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University during July 2008 to September 2009
Participants: 74 patients diagnosed with IBS were included in this study. They were randomized to receive peppermint oil or a placebo, 3 times a day for 6 weeks.
Results: Peppermint essential oil is effective in reliving only abdominal pain in diarrhea predominant IBS in the short term.
Study 2: Benefits Headaches
Study: Comparing the Effect of Intranasal Lidocaine 4% with Peppermint Essential Oil Drop 1.5% on Migraine Attacks: A Double-Blind Clinical Trial.
Participants: A total of 120 adult patients diagnosed with migraine received either 4% intranasal lidocaine drops, 1.5% peppermint essential oil drops, or a placebo. Patients reported their symptoms 5 and 15 minutes after administration, and if headaches persisted after 15 minutes, they received a second dose. After another 15 minutes, those who took a second dose recorded their headache rates. All patients documented their symptoms after 30 minutes. A researcher followed up with participants via phone and in-person visits after two months to monitor their symptoms.
Results: In the placebo group, fewer patients responded highly to the treatment, whereas 41.5% of patients in the lidocaine group and 42.1% of patients in the peppermint oil group responded to the treatment considerably. Peppermint oil seems as effective as lidocaine.
Study 3 - Benefits Respiratory Issues
Study: Antispasmodic effect of Mentha piperita essential oil (peppermint essential oil) on tracheal smooth muscle of rats
Participants: Wistar male rats weighing 250-300 grams (a little over a half a pound to two thirds of a pound).
Details of Study: Peppermint oil was added in increasing amounts (1-300 μg/ml) to the tracheal tissue from the rats. (Note: Tracheal tissue refers to the tissue that makes up the trachea, commonly known as the windpipe. The trachea is a tube that connects the throat (pharynx and larynx) to the lungs, allowing air to pass through. Tracheal tissue plays a crucial role in the respiratory system. Any inflammation or damage to the tracheal tissue can cause inflammation of the tracheal tissue, leading to symptoms such as a persistent cough, wheezing, and difficulty breathing. Inflammatory responses can also trigger conditions like asthma attacks.)
Results: When we added peppermint oil at concentrations of 100 and 300 μg/ml to the tissue, the peppermint oil helped relax the trachea, linking it to its traditional use for respiratory issues. 79 adult patients receiving chemotherapy were recruited from an outpatient ambulatory infusion center in the southeastern United States.
Study 4: Benefits Nausea
Study: Peppermint Oil: Evaluating Efficacy on Nausea in Patients Receiving Chemotherapy in the Ambulatory Setting.
Participants: 79 adult patients receiving chemotherapy were recruited from an outpatient ambulatory infusion center in the southeastern United States.
Details of Study: Patients were divided into two groups (peppermint and no scent at all) and asked to rate the intensity of their chemotherapy-induced nausea at pre- and postintervention (using the Baxter Retching Faces pictorial scale).
Results: The results showed that peppermint oil significantly reduced the intensity of nausea in patients, more so than using a cool washcloth alone.
Study 5: Benefits Fatigue
Study: Preliminary investigation of the effect of peppermint oil on an objective measure of daytime sleepiness.
Participants: 100 people.
Details of Study: 50 people were assigned to the “peppermint aroma group” (27 males and 23 females) and 50 people were assigned to the “non aroma group” (27 males and 23 females). 50 were given peppermint infused aroma patches and 50 were given “no aroma patches”. They then performed tests to see how alert their minds were and how well they could recall information.
Results: The study showed that being around the smell of peppermint essential oil can improve thinking and mood in healthy young adults. The results indicated that it helped people remember words, complete tasks, and feel more alert.
Conclusion
In conclusion, peppermint essential oil’s benefits stand out as a versatile and effective natural remedy for a variety of health concerns. Its unique components, such as menthol and eucalyptol, contribute to its ability to alleviate headaches, digestive issues, and nausea while enhancing mood and cognitive function. As research continues to support its benefits, incorporating peppermint essential oil into your wellness routine can offer both immediate relief and long-term health advantages. Whether used in aromatherapy, topical applications, or as a dietary supplement, peppermint essential oil is a powerful ally in promoting overall well-being.
References:
Alam MS, Roy PK, Miah AR, Mollick SH, Khan MR, Mahmud MC, Khatun S. Efficacy of Peppermint oil in diarrhea predominant IBS - a double blind randomized placebo - controlled study. Mymensingh Med J. 2013 Jan;22(1):27-30. PMID: 23416804.
Rafieian-Kopaei M, Hasanpour-Dehkordi A, Lorigooini Z, Deris F, Solati K, Mahdiyeh F. Comparing the Effect of Intranasal Lidocaine 4% with Peppermint Essential Oil Drop 1.5% on Migraine Attacks: A Double-Blind Clinical Trial. Int J Prev Med. 2019 Jul 5;10:121. doi: 10.4103/ijpvm.IJPVM_530_17. PMID: 31404204; PMCID: PMC6647908.
de Sousa AA, Soares PM, de Almeida AN, Maia AR, de Souza EP, Assreuy AM. Antispasmodic effect of Mentha piperita essential oil on tracheal smooth muscle of rats. J Ethnopharmacol. 2010 Jul 20;130(2):433-6. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2010.05.012. Epub 2010 May 19. PMID: 20488237.
Mapp CP, Hostetler D, Sable JF, Parker C, Gouge E, Masterson M, Willis-Styles M, Fortner C, Higgins M. Peppermint Oil: Evaluating Efficacy on Nausea in Patients Receiving Chemotherapy in the Ambulatory Setting. Clin J Oncol Nurs. 2020 Apr 1;24(2):160-164. doi: 10.1188/20.CJON.160-164. PMID: 32196008.
Norrish MI, Dwyer KL. Preliminary investigation of the effect of peppermint oil on an objective measure of daytime sleepiness. Int J Psychophysiol. 2005 Mar;55(3):291-8. doi: 10.1016/j.ijpsycho.2004.08.004. PMID: 15708642.