Keeper of Health? 14 Effective Health Benefits of Peppermint Oil.
Mints, particularly peppermint, were utilized as medicine by the ancient Greeks, Romans, and Egyptians thousands of years ago. However, it wasn’t until the late 17th century that peppermint was recognized as a unique subspecies.
Peppermint oil is extracted from the peppermint plant. It’s been utilized for a variety of purposes, including GI discomfort relief, nausea relief, and pain relief.
Peppermint oil is widely used as a flavoring agent in foods and beverages, as well as a scent in soaps and cosmetics. Peppermint oil is also used to treat a range of medical issues and can be taken orally as a dietary supplement or topically as a skin lotion or ointment.
Clinical data suggests that peppermint oil may help with irritable bowel syndrome symptoms. It may also aid with indigestion and avoid GI spasms produced by endoscopy or barium enema. Some studies suggest that using it topically may help relieve tension headaches.
Health Benefits of Peppermint Oil:
1. Peppermint Oil Treating Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
Some of the most in-depth studies on the effects of peppermint oil have focused on IBS. IBS is a chronic GI disorder that can include abdominal pain, diarrhea, and constipation.
A new meta-analysis of 12 trials evaluated the efficacy of peppermint oil capsules to placebo in the treatment of IBS. According to researchers, Peppermint oil treatment relieved stomach pain and other IBS symptoms.
The precise mechanisms through which peppermint oil relieves the symptoms of IBS and other GI diseases are unknown. Among the possibilities are:
- Relaxing the GI tract’s smooth muscles
- Having anti-inflammatory effects
- Influencing the sorts of bacteria that reside normally in the GI tract
- Reducing the sense of discomfort in the GI tract
2. Peppermint oil for Gastro-Intestinal (GI) problems
One of its main chemical components, peppermint oil or menthol, has been used in conjunction with caraway to alleviate functional dyspepsia. Bloating and soreness in the stomach area are symptoms of this illness.
Several types of research involving peppermint/menthol and caraway were reported in a recent review article. Overall, this combo treatment appears to be effective in alleviating the symptoms of functional dyspepsia.
Another review of trials on herbal therapies for GI disorders in children and adolescents discovered that peppermint oil was more beneficial than a placebo at reducing the length, frequency, and severity of abdominal pain.
Peppermint oil, on the other hand, proved ineffective in alleviating colic when compared to simethicone drops.
Peppermint oil is frequently used in cosmetics. However, there has been little research on the possible advantages of peppermint when applied to the skin and hair.
A modest study investigated the topical application of peppermint oil and its effect on chronic itching. Researchers discovered that a one percent solution of peppermint oil improved the duration and severity of itching.
A second small study looked at the efficacy of applying peppermint oil to the skin to alleviate itching during pregnancy.
The researchers discovered that applying a 0.5 percent peppermint oil solution twice a day for two weeks considerably reduced itch severity when compared to the control.
In another study, peppermint oil was compared to minoxidil (Rogaine) and control substances in mice.
The researchers discovered that a 3% solution of peppermint oil resulted in the growth of thick, long hair in mice after four weeks of treatment, similar to the results seen with minoxidil.
4. Peppermint oil alleviate nausea
Nausea is a common side effect of surgery. In one small trial, the efficacy of breathed peppermint oil on postoperative nausea was investigated. They discovered that after breathing peppermint oil, patients reported less nausea.
A recent evaluation of studies, on the other hand, looked at the benefits of aromatherapy on postoperative nausea.
Four of the trials examined compared peppermint oil to a placebo. The reviewers discovered that inhaling peppermint oil had little or no influence on nausea severity.
Symptoms such as nausea and vomiting are common in the early stages of pregnancy. A recent study of 56 pregnant women examined the effects of aromatherapy using peppermint oil on nausea and vomiting.
They discovered no statistically significant difference between peppermint oil and a placebo.
5. Peppermint oil Relieves headaches
Menthol and wintergreen oil have been used to relieve discomfort caused by tension headaches, migraine headaches, and other reasons.
One tiny trial investigated the topical administration of a 10% menthol solution for migraine relief.
They discovered that when applied to the forehead and temples, individuals experienced longer-lasting pain alleviation, as well as decreased nausea and light sensitivity when compared to a placebo.
A recent study looked at the effect of peppermint oil tablets on persons who had trouble swallowing and non-cardiac chest discomfort. Moreover, half of the individuals said their symptoms had improved.
6. Peppermint oil has antibacterial and antifungal properties
Peppermint oil has modest antibacterial effects as well. Several investigations have been conducted to test its efficiency against various types of bacteria and fungus. The outcomes have been mixed.
In one study, peppermint oil suppressed the formation of a key bacterial toxin when incubated with different strains of Staphylococcus aureus, some of which were antibiotic-resistant.
This impact was dose-dependent, which means that it increased with increasing amounts of peppermint oil.
While this finding is encouraging, the antibacterial action of peppermint oil may vary depending on the type of bacterium. Another investigation discovered that peppermint oil had no antibacterial effect against a Streptococcus species.
A 2017 study looked at the activity of numerous essential oils against several strains of Candida yeast. While peppermint oil did exhibit some antifungal activity, it was the least active of the oils tested.
7. Peppermint Oil Increase Athletic performance
According to one study, peppermint essential oil may aid improve a variety of characteristics of sports performance. Athletic performance, also known as exercise performance, refers to a person’s ability to engage specific muscles to stay physically fit.
A short 2014 research of 30 students found that peppermint oil may increase numerous athletic performance parameters, such as jumping ability or grip strength.
8. Peppermint oil Helps in Oral care
According to studies, peppermint oil is extremely effective at fighting oral pathogens and killing common germs that cause cavities and gum disease.
The flavor of peppermint not only freshens your breath, but its antibacterial characteristics may also aid in the elimination of the source of the odor: germs. It’s said to keep bacteria from developing a film on your teeth, which aids in the health of your pearly whites.
9. Peppermint oil improves digestion
Several studies have found that products containing peppermint oil plus caraway oil, as well as particular combination items incorporating peppermint leaves, may help reduce indigestion.
However, no evidence using peppermint oil alone can assist. Taking peppermint oil alone may aggravate indigestion and induce unpleasant side effects in some people.
10. Peppermint oil Healing cracked skin
Peppermint oil administered topically to the nipple area of breastfeeding women in the form of a gel, water, or cream may be beneficial in relieving pain and cracked skin.
As a result, peppermint oil should be used only after breastfeeding and then wiped away before the next breastfeeding session.
11. Peppermint Oil Relieves joint pain
Peppermint oil is administered topically to joints to ease the pain. It relaxes the joint muscles and provides immediate comfort.
Peppermint is well-known for its anti-inflammatory and anesthetic effects, which aid in the relief of joint discomfort and swelling around joints. – 2 tablespoons warm coconut oil + 8-10 drops peppermint oil -For optimal effects, apply to affected joints daily.
Peppermint oil’s cooling feel is excellent in treating joint pain. During allergy season, peppermint oil can assist remove dirt and pollen by relaxing muscles in the nasal passages.
Peppermint oil applied topically to a rash calms the skin and prevents irritation.
12. Peppermint oil for Prostate cancer treatment
Because of the component menthol, clinical investigations have demonstrated that peppermint oil slows the growth of prostate cancer.
Preliminary research has been conducted to determine the benefits of peppermint oil in guarding against radiation-induced DNA damage and cell death.
The phytochemicals limonene, beta-caryophyllene, and beta-pinene in this essential oil have been shown to have cytotoxic and anti-inflammatory properties. Peppermint essential oil has also been found in studies to have antioxidant and cancer-fighting effects, slowing tumor formation.
13. Peppermint oil Helps to treat respiratory issues
Menthol, the main element in peppermint oil, aids in the elimination of respiratory tract infections. It has been shown to have antispasmodic, expectorant, and anti-inflammatory properties.
Peppermint oil gives immediate relief for a variety of respiratory issues, including asthma, bronchitis, sinusitis, nasal congestion, colds, and coughs. To unblock sinuses and provide additional relief, peppermint oil can be inhaled.
Peppermint oil suppresses appetite and reduces cravings for junk food. Inhaling peppermint oil gives you a feeling of fullness and keeps you from eating too many calories.
So Peppermint oil supporting to your weight loss. For the best results, apply a drop or two of peppermint oil to the chest or inhale the aroma.
According to a research study, inhaling peppermint oil every 2 hours is particularly efficient in suppressing hunger and food cravings.
Peppermint Oil Usage Alerts
The FDA advises only utilizing essential oils following the manufacturer’s instructions.
Essential oils should not be taken orally. Heartburn, nausea, and vomiting are some of the probable negative effects of consuming peppermint extract orally. If you’re going to add peppermint oil to meals, go with an extract.
Aromatherapy or topical application of diluted essential peppermint oil can provide great advantages while posing little risks. However, be in mind that peppermint aromatherapy can be hazardous to pets. Before utilizing aromatherapy, keep children, pets, and pregnant women in mind.
Peppermint oil can be harmful if consumed in excessive quantities. It contains pulegone, a recognized hazardous chemical. Cosmetic formulations of peppermint oil are supposed to include one percent or less pulegone, but they may contain more in some situations.
Who Should Avoid using Peppermint oil?
The following people should avoid using peppermint oil:
- People who have a G6PD deficiency. People who have a specific enzyme deficiency known as G6PD deficiency should avoid using peppermint in aromatherapy as an extract or oil.
- People who are taking certain drugs Aromatherapy with peppermint oil can block an enzyme called CYP3A4, which is responsible for the breakdown of many different types of medications. Before using peppermint oil, consult your doctor if you are taking any prescription medications.
- Babies and children Baby and young children should not have peppermint oil applied to their faces or chests. Inhaling the menthol found in peppermint oil can cause side effects.
