Healthytalk8 As we know there are many health benefits of peppermint oil, but consult your doctor first, especially pregnant, and any medical issue person.
In peppermint, menthol is the main active ingredient, that is used for various purposes, and its most vital treatment is in vomiting and diarrhea.
Many studies have shown that peppermint has anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antifungal, antioxidant, and antiallergenic and antitumor activities (1)
NOTE: Essential peppermint oil can irritate your skin, so make sure to add it with a carrier oil, to dilute it.
Here are the top 10 health benefits of peppermint oil with potential side effects which include:
Peppermint oil Essential oil
Good for Hair health
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Studies found that peppermint oil can promote hair growth, hair follicle, alkaline phosphatase activity, etc.
A few mice were included during a 4-week study where saline, jojoba, minoxidil, and peppermint oil were used on different mice (3).
As the result, it was found that PEO increased hair growth faster about 92% than SA, JO, MXD without change of body weight gain and food efficiency (4)
A study in Microvascular report found that a 4% menthol solution causes blood vessels to widen, which enhances blood flow.
- Take 2 to 3 drops of PEO with a carrier oil, with a carrier oil, mix it well, then apply it on your head with massage.
- Leave for 20 to 30 minutes for best result, then wash it way.
- Do this once and twice a week.
Helpful in IBS
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common stomach issue, that affects the large intestine, which can be caused by infection, trauma, etc.
A small study suggests that peppermint oil in enteric-coated capsules can improve IBS symptoms in adults (5).
In one study, peppermint oil was compared to a placebo in treating IBS and found that PEO reduces abdominal pain and other symptoms of IBS.
Another study found that peppermint oil is a safe and effective short-term treatment for IBS, and more effective than a placebo (6).
Other Ways to Treat IBS include:
- Probiotics food include – yogurt, paneer, kefir, idli, etc
- Change in lifestyle – eat more fiber, increased physical activity, reduce stress, take enough sleep, avoid gluten food, ete
- Take precribtion medicines
Good for Teeth
Peppermint oil has antimicrobial, antibacterial properties, which work excellent against different types of bacteria and fungi in teeth.
It also used in a variety of products such as toothpaste, mouthwash, digestive tablets, ice cream, and liquor are flavored (7).
Peppermint oil can also increase saliva, which is very useful to prevent dry mouth from causing bad breath (8)
Peppermint oil also has the ability to fight against fungal (can cause various diseases) pathogens (9).
In Additional, the most common teeth problem such as:
- Cavity
- sensitivity in tooth
- Gums disease
- Teeth grinding
- Cracked tooth
Here are many ways to prevent teeth problems such as:
- Brush you teeth regular, twice a day, and do gargles after brushing
- Floss one time each day
- Avoid gutkha, and tobacco products
- Reduce sugar intake which is main reason for tooth cavity
- Add high fiber, and low-fat food in your diet, inclyde fruit, and vegetables
Check Out – Natural Home-Remedies To Whiten Your Teeth At Home
Reduce pain
Studies suggest that peppermint oil aromatherapy can reduce pain fast, also can bring changes in blood pressure, skin temperature, and brain activity.
Another study showed that PEO and caraway oil are very effective on post-inflammatory visceral hyperalgesia, only when used in combination.
A study showed that applying a cream containing PEO, camphor tree, and chir pine, essential oil reduces pain and swelling in patients with osteoarthritis.
Many trials study reported that aromatherapy is a great idea for reducing menstrual pain or normal pain than a placebo (10).
The period cycle is part of your body’s way of preparing for a possible pregnancy each month.
During 4 trials used only a single treatment, and the report found that aromatherapy can be used for the acute management of pain in periods (11) (12).
Promote Skin health
Peppermint oil is excellent for promoting good skin health.
Its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties affect the skin, by promoting wound healing and repairing the skin barrier (13).
In a small study where applying a PEO about 0.5% twice a day for two weeks in pregnant women with the itch. results were shown a significant reduction in itch.
A study by Dr. Debra jaliman said that peppermint oil contains natural skin cleansers, antiseptic, and antibacterial agents.
It also contains a cooling effect which is excellent for dry skin people and can soothe irritation, and inflammation due to acne.
NOTE: You can also buy peppermint oil lip bamp, which prevents moisture on lips.
Help with Headache
Researchers experimented with peppermint oil and shown patients who apply it to their forehead or back of their nack reported getting some relief.
This is happening because, it relaxed the muscles around the skull, also the aroma relaxes the nervous system (15)
During headaches, the brain does not get enough rest, which causes muscles, blood vessels, to swell.
Other studies showed that peppermint oil has an effective ability in treating migraine headaches by relaxing muscles and relieving pain.
In a study where lidocaine and peppermint essential oil groups were included (16)
Results showed the majority of PEO patients felt a higher decline in headache, compared to the lidocaine groups (only 4.9% reported a reduction in the headache)
Check Out – Best Yoga Asanas To Minimize Headache To a Great Extent
Reduce Anxiety, and Enhance Mood
Inhalation aromatherapy is one of the supplement medicine, that can be effective in pain and anxiety management (17) (18).
It is seen that peppermint oil aroma can also decrease the level of cortisol (it is a stress hormone) and increase serotonin (19).
A study where peppermint oil and ylang-ylang were compared found that PEO enhance memory whereas ylang-ylang impaired it.
If we talk about – mood peppermint increased alertness and ylang-ylang decreased it, but significantly increased calmness (20).
Check Out – Is Music Can Treat Mental and Physical illness
NOTE: In addition, Inhaling essential oils is the fastest method of getting the essential oils into the body.
For nausea
According to the NCBI, PEO has significantly reduced the frequency of nausea, retching, and the severity of nausea in cancer patients on chemotherapy.
The result of one study showed that patients with aromatherapy had significant reform in nausea compared to the combined aromatherapy.
One study found that peppermint essential oil has no effect on nausea and vomiting in pregnant women.
A 2018 study involving 56 pregnant ladies to see how peppermint oil aromatherapy affected nausea and vomiting.
As the result, they found no useful difference between PEO and placebo.
In addition, there are some other natural ways to treat nausea including:
- Acupuncture
- Ginger
- A sip of chilled water
- Mint
- Certain species, which divert your brain from nausea
NOTE: Nausea mostly commonly occurs during crooked roads journey, to avoid this, eat plenty of food, this is my own experience.
Boost energy
If you want to be active throughout the day, then peppermint oil might be a good idea.
Experts are not fully sure what happens inside our bodies while smelling PEO, but believe that it may help ease sleepiness during waking hours.
In fact, there are several medical studies that found that just smelling Peppermint oil naturally increases your energy level.
In one study it was told that various kinds of peppermint were effective in reducing muscle pain, muscle relaxation, and reduce fatigue (22).
Peppermint aroma, effect more supply of oxygen to the brain, which could be effective for continuing physical performance (23).
However, few studies showed no difference in heart rate, physical performance, when PEO aromas were used during 15-minute low-intensity treadmill exercise among males and females.
Effective in soothing the upset stomach
A study showed the effective peppermint oil for relieving the symptoms and changes of quality of life in diarrhea.
Diarrhea is a common condition, where stool becomes loose and watery, however, in most cases, it goes away on its own within a few days.
A review study result, on methanol, and caraway found that combination treatment appears promising in relieving symptoms allied with dyspepsia.
Check Out – Home-Remedies To Help Relieve Constipation Naturally
Side effects
It is recommended not to take peppermint oil orally.
Some common peppermint oil side effects when taken orally such as – heartburn, nausea, stomach pain, dry mouth, and allergic reaction.
NOTE: Some essential oil should be kept away from children like rosemary, peppermint because they are high in cineole.
To prevent its side effects, make sure or when switching to the new oil, to take a small patch of the skin test, before applying it to your full skin.
Capsules containing peppermint oil are often enteric-coated to reduce the likelihood of heartburn.
Some other common side effect of applying peppermint oil on the skin is – skin rashes, irritation.
NOTE: Always dilute essential oil like peppermint oil with a carrier oil to take its significant benefits, and prevent side effects.
Essential oils are very concentrated, to dilute it with other normal oil, you require only a few drops of its with a carrier oil.
NOTE: Talk to your doctor, before taking supplements, and any form of peppermint, especially for pregnant, and breastfeeding women.
A high dose of PEO can be toxic because it contains cineole, pulegone, which make the condition worse, so increase its intake gradually.
BOTTOM LINE
Strong evidence has shown the health benefits of peppermint oil, but some precautions are also necessary before applying it.
Studies showed that peppermint oil has an effective ability in treating migraine headaches by relaxing muscles and relieving pain.
