Peppermint Essential Oil from VitalaSEA
Not only does peppermint oil smell great, it's fantastic on your skin and as a pain reliever for headaches, sore muscles, and more. Peppermint oil is promoted for topical use (applied to the skin) for problems like headache, muscle aches, joint pain, and itching. In aromatherapy, peppermint oil is promoted for treating coughs and colds, reducing pain, improving mental function, and reducing stress.
Curology says, "People have been using peppermint essential oil since ancient times as a remedy for a variety of conditions, including some for the skin. More recently, however, it’s gained popularity as an ingredient in commercial skincare products. While some health claims surrounding popular ingredients end up being mostly hype, many of the benefits of peppermint oil for skin have been backed by scientific research."
WebMD goes on to list numerous benefits derived from peppermint essential oils. As a dietary supplement, we have listed those below. Benefits for your skin and overall health are highlighted here:
Curology says, "People have been using peppermint essential oil since ancient times as a remedy for a variety of conditions, including some for the skin. More recently, however, it’s gained popularity as an ingredient in commercial skincare products. While some health claims surrounding popular ingredients end up being mostly hype, many of the benefits of peppermint oil for skin have been backed by scientific research."
WebMD goes on to list numerous benefits derived from peppermint essential oils. As a dietary supplement, we have listed those below. Benefits for your skin and overall health are highlighted here:
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Pian Relief from Peppermint Essential covers a broad spectrum. "When inhaled or used on your skin, peppermint oil may help soothe headaches, muscle aches, and joint pain. Skin issues. Peppermint oil can calm and soothe skin because of menthol's cooling effect.
Extracts, on the other hand, pull the essential oils into a liquid base, usually alcohol. This makes them less concentrated than pure essential oils, which are more intensely peppermint. Peppermint Oil for Skin Skin preparations containing peppermint oil are used by some people for the following conditions, although, again, there is no clear evidence that they are helpful:
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Peppermint oil for bugs
You can use peppermint oil to keep away flies, ants, spiders, and sometimes cockroaches. The oil has compounds, such as menthol, that can help manage mites, mosquito larvae, and other pests. These compounds give peppermint oil its strong scent, which insects like ants and spiders don't like. If they sense it, they'll usually avoid it. Keep in mind that peppermint oil doesn't kill these pests. It just repels them.
To create a repellent spray (to keep them away), fill a spray bottle with water and add about 10-15 drops of peppermint oil. Close and shake the bottle to combine before you use it.
Peppermint oil for hair
While peppermint oil is often included in hair products for its scent, some people use the oil specifically as a hair loss treatment. Peppermint oil can not only help keep you from losing hair, but it's also shown to help your hair grow. One study even found that it worked as well as minoxidil, an FDA-approved hair loss treatment. The menthol compound in peppermint also promotes blood flow when applied to the skin, so the oil can help stimulate your scalp, encouraging hair growth.
While some people add a couple of drops of peppermint oil directly onto their scalp, it's generally best to dilute it. You can also combine it with a carrier oil, like coconut or jojoba oil, before you massage it into your hair, or mix a drop or two of the oil into hair products before applying or add a few drops to shampoo and conditioner bottles.
Benefits of Peppermint OilToday, peppermint oil is known for its many health benefits, whether applied directly to the skin or taken in other forms.
Several studies suggest that enteric-coated peppermint oil capsules -- which allow the oil to pass through the stomach so it can dissolve in the intestines -- may help relieve common symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome such as abdominal pain, bloating, and gas. Non-enteric coated forms of peppermint oil, however, actually may cause or worsen heartburn and nausea.
Preliminary studies also suggest that dietary supplements containing a combination of peppermint oil and caraway oil may help relieve indigestion.
Pain. When inhaled or used on your skin, peppermint oil may help soothe headaches, muscle aches, and joint pain.
Skin issues. Peppermint oil can calm and soothe skin because of menthol's cooling effect. This may help ease itching and irritation from issues like hives, poison ivy, or poison oak.
Sickness. You can also use the essential oil to treat colds, sinus infections, and coughs. To help open nasal passages, breathe in steam from hot water mixed with a few drops of peppermint oil. The menthol in peppermint works as a decongestant and can loosen mucus. Studies have also found that the oil has antibacterial traits as well as antiviral properties against herpes.
Peppermint oil may also help:
You can use peppermint oil to keep away flies, ants, spiders, and sometimes cockroaches. The oil has compounds, such as menthol, that can help manage mites, mosquito larvae, and other pests. These compounds give peppermint oil its strong scent, which insects like ants and spiders don't like. If they sense it, they'll usually avoid it. Keep in mind that peppermint oil doesn't kill these pests. It just repels them.
To create a repellent spray (to keep them away), fill a spray bottle with water and add about 10-15 drops of peppermint oil. Close and shake the bottle to combine before you use it.
Peppermint oil for hair
While peppermint oil is often included in hair products for its scent, some people use the oil specifically as a hair loss treatment. Peppermint oil can not only help keep you from losing hair, but it's also shown to help your hair grow. One study even found that it worked as well as minoxidil, an FDA-approved hair loss treatment. The menthol compound in peppermint also promotes blood flow when applied to the skin, so the oil can help stimulate your scalp, encouraging hair growth.
While some people add a couple of drops of peppermint oil directly onto their scalp, it's generally best to dilute it. You can also combine it with a carrier oil, like coconut or jojoba oil, before you massage it into your hair, or mix a drop or two of the oil into hair products before applying or add a few drops to shampoo and conditioner bottles.
Benefits of Peppermint OilToday, peppermint oil is known for its many health benefits, whether applied directly to the skin or taken in other forms.
Several studies suggest that enteric-coated peppermint oil capsules -- which allow the oil to pass through the stomach so it can dissolve in the intestines -- may help relieve common symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome such as abdominal pain, bloating, and gas. Non-enteric coated forms of peppermint oil, however, actually may cause or worsen heartburn and nausea.
Preliminary studies also suggest that dietary supplements containing a combination of peppermint oil and caraway oil may help relieve indigestion.
Pain. When inhaled or used on your skin, peppermint oil may help soothe headaches, muscle aches, and joint pain.
Skin issues. Peppermint oil can calm and soothe skin because of menthol's cooling effect. This may help ease itching and irritation from issues like hives, poison ivy, or poison oak.
Sickness. You can also use the essential oil to treat colds, sinus infections, and coughs. To help open nasal passages, breathe in steam from hot water mixed with a few drops of peppermint oil. The menthol in peppermint works as a decongestant and can loosen mucus. Studies have also found that the oil has antibacterial traits as well as antiviral properties against herpes.
Peppermint oil may also help:
- Soothe nausea
- Ease gut or muscle spasms
- Fight fatigue
- Boost memory
- Lift mood
According to Healthline. Peppermint Oil Benefits go beyond everything we have already listed. Use of Peppermint Oil dates back to Ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome.
Chemotherapy Patients
It can assist with Nausea, in various forms, but one study found that it's benefits can assist cancer patients lessen the negative feelings from chemotherapy. "A 2021 study Trusted Source of 80 patients tested the effects of applying one drop of peppermint oil between the upper lip and nose three times a day for 5 days after chemotherapy. The researchers found that it lessened the severity and frequency of nausea and vomiting."
Migraines
In a 2019 study Trusted Source comparing the effects of peppermint oil and lidocaine drops for migraine attacks, researchers found that headache intensity decreased in 40% of patients receiving either drop. Peppermint oil droplets, when applied inside the nose at an angle, were shown to reduce headache frequency and pain, much like lidocaine.
Challenges with Swallowing
Another study Trusted Source examined the effect of peppermint oil tablets on people with difficulty swallowing and noncardiac chest pain. Over half of the participants reported an improvement in their symptoms.
Chemotherapy Patients
It can assist with Nausea, in various forms, but one study found that it's benefits can assist cancer patients lessen the negative feelings from chemotherapy. "A 2021 study Trusted Source of 80 patients tested the effects of applying one drop of peppermint oil between the upper lip and nose three times a day for 5 days after chemotherapy. The researchers found that it lessened the severity and frequency of nausea and vomiting."
Migraines
In a 2019 study Trusted Source comparing the effects of peppermint oil and lidocaine drops for migraine attacks, researchers found that headache intensity decreased in 40% of patients receiving either drop. Peppermint oil droplets, when applied inside the nose at an angle, were shown to reduce headache frequency and pain, much like lidocaine.
Challenges with Swallowing
Another study Trusted Source examined the effect of peppermint oil tablets on people with difficulty swallowing and noncardiac chest pain. Over half of the participants reported an improvement in their symptoms.
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For Your Hair
Peppermint oil is often used in cosmetic products. But there’s a limited amount of research into the potential benefits of peppermint when applied to the skin and hair. A small 2016 study Trusted Source looked at the topical application of peppermint oil and the effect it had on chronic itching. Researchers found that a 1 percent solution of peppermint oil led to improvements in how long itchiness lasted and the severity of the itch. A 2014 study Trusted Source in mice compared peppermint oil to minoxidil (Rogaine) and control compounds. The researchers found that a 3 percent solution of peppermint oil led to the growth of thick, long hair in mice after 4 weeks of treatment, similar to results from using minoxidil. |
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In a 2016 study Trusted Source examining the effects of topical menthol, researchers found that topically applied menthol increases skin blood flow. This could also help with hair growth, as increased blood flow may help stimulate your scalp.
Against bacteria and yeast
Peppermint oil also has mild antimicrobial properties. Various studies have been performed to determine its effectiveness against different types of bacteria and fungi. The results have been mixed.
A 2019 study Trusted Source highlighted the antibacterial activity of peppermint oil on different strains of bacteria, including:
While this result is promising, the antimicrobial activity of peppermint oil may depend on the species of bacteria.
Another studyTrusted Source found that while peppermint oil showed a potential for antimicrobial activity, it was less effective than other essential oils against 20 different strains of Streptococcus suis.
A study from 2017Trusted Source looked at the activity of several essential oils against different strains of Candida yeast in test tubes. While peppermint oil did have some antifungal activity, it had the lowest activity out of all the oils that were tested.
Against bacteria and yeast
Peppermint oil also has mild antimicrobial properties. Various studies have been performed to determine its effectiveness against different types of bacteria and fungi. The results have been mixed.
A 2019 study Trusted Source highlighted the antibacterial activity of peppermint oil on different strains of bacteria, including:
- Staphylococcus aureus
- Escherichia coli
- Klebsiella pneumoniae
- Proteus mirabilis
- Pseudomonas aeruginosa
- Acinetobacter baumannii
While this result is promising, the antimicrobial activity of peppermint oil may depend on the species of bacteria.
Another studyTrusted Source found that while peppermint oil showed a potential for antimicrobial activity, it was less effective than other essential oils against 20 different strains of Streptococcus suis.
A study from 2017Trusted Source looked at the activity of several essential oils against different strains of Candida yeast in test tubes. While peppermint oil did have some antifungal activity, it had the lowest activity out of all the oils that were tested.
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According to UC Health, the benefits are broad reaching.
Skin conditions A number of herbal salves for sore muscles and joints contain menthol, which creates a cooling effect. And peppermint can reduce skin irritation, itchiness and redness. Dilute the oil before applying it to the skin by mixing a few drops with mineral or olive oil, and test on a small section of skin first. Before applying peppermint oil to the skin, check in with your health care provider. It is not recommended for people with diabetes, a hiatus hernia or gastroesophageal reflux disease. It may also interfere with medications, including those that reduce stomach acid, lower blood sugar or help with high blood pressure. |
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Choose high-quality sources of peppermint oil and tea, and be careful not to use too much.
“This thought that, ‘If two drops are great, ten must be better,’ is how people end up taking toxic amounts of these herbs,” Marrs said. “With any concentrated oil, you have to be careful you aren’t using too much.”
This winter, try adding it to your diet. The minty, fresh flavor may keep you in the holiday spirit, long after the New Year has come.
The common cold and flu
Breathing in steam from hot water mixed with a few drops of peppermint oil can help open nasal passages, which is important if you’re struggling with respiratory issues. The menthol in peppermint works as a decongestant, shrinking swollen membranes in the nose and making it easier to breathe, and also helps loosen mucus that has collected in the lungs.
Peppermint may also help prevent sickness from coming on in the first place.
“It’s thought that peppermint might have some antiviral qualities,” Marrs said. “If you’re around a lot of sickness, taking two or three drops of peppermint oil in water may help increase your immunity.”
“This thought that, ‘If two drops are great, ten must be better,’ is how people end up taking toxic amounts of these herbs,” Marrs said. “With any concentrated oil, you have to be careful you aren’t using too much.”
This winter, try adding it to your diet. The minty, fresh flavor may keep you in the holiday spirit, long after the New Year has come.
The common cold and flu
Breathing in steam from hot water mixed with a few drops of peppermint oil can help open nasal passages, which is important if you’re struggling with respiratory issues. The menthol in peppermint works as a decongestant, shrinking swollen membranes in the nose and making it easier to breathe, and also helps loosen mucus that has collected in the lungs.
Peppermint may also help prevent sickness from coming on in the first place.
“It’s thought that peppermint might have some antiviral qualities,” Marrs said. “If you’re around a lot of sickness, taking two or three drops of peppermint oil in water may help increase your immunity.”
AntibacterialMultiple medical studies have shown that peppermint oil may stop or slow the growth of several kinds of bacteria, including:
Additionally, in a small study, a preparation of 5% peppermint oil in a petrolatum base was effective in relieving chronic itchiness resulting from various medical conditions. This solution was more effective than using petrolatum alone, suggesting the potential of peppermint oil as a beneficial ingredient for managing itchiness.¹²
However, it's important to note the American Academy of Dermatology recommends using sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 for adequate sun protection.¹⁶ So, while peppermint oil can supplement your sunscreen, it shouldn't be used as your only method of sun protection. Always apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen of at least SPF 30 for optimal protection against the sun's harmful rays. It’s also important to remember that sunscreen cannot prevent all harm from UV rays, so be sure to wear protective clothing and seek shade when possible.
- Staphylococcus aureus (a common skin bacteria).
- Staphylococcus epidermidis (a bacteria associated with acne).
- Propionibacterium acnes (another bacteria associated with acne).
- It’s not just regular strains of bacteria, though. Peppermint oil may also have the ability to fight several multi-drug-resistant strains of bacteria.
- Anti-inflammatory
- Anti-itching
Additionally, in a small study, a preparation of 5% peppermint oil in a petrolatum base was effective in relieving chronic itchiness resulting from various medical conditions. This solution was more effective than using petrolatum alone, suggesting the potential of peppermint oil as a beneficial ingredient for managing itchiness.¹²
- Anti-viral
- Sun-protective
However, it's important to note the American Academy of Dermatology recommends using sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 for adequate sun protection.¹⁶ So, while peppermint oil can supplement your sunscreen, it shouldn't be used as your only method of sun protection. Always apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen of at least SPF 30 for optimal protection against the sun's harmful rays. It’s also important to remember that sunscreen cannot prevent all harm from UV rays, so be sure to wear protective clothing and seek shade when possible.
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As a Dietary Supplement: (Source: WebMD)
Dietary supplements In dietary supplements, peppermint oil has been tried for many digestive problems, including: |
General Skin Benefits
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Dietary supplements containing peppermint oil are also used by some people for the following conditions, although there is no clear evidence that they are helpful:
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* All sources are linked in the individual articles and key words, click on any link to read the full, sourced articles.