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Peppermint oil has been used for centuries to bring about refreshing and calm in many individuals. While modern society may associate peppermint oil with tea or candy, scientific research suggests that peppermint oil may have some pretty amazing benefits for the whole body.
Peppermint oil comes from the Mentha piperita or peppermint plant. Peppermint is a hybrid of two well-known mint plants: spearmint and water mint. Peppermint is native to Europe and the Middle East, but it is widely grown and used throughout the world. The peppermint plant is described as a perennial herb that can grow up to 3 feet tall and 2 feet wide.
Peppermint has a long history of being used as a medical herb. Ancient Egyptian, Greek, and Roman medical texts describe the use of peppermint for digestive disorders as well as other conditions. Peppermint oil is an essential oil that comes from the leaves and flowering components of peppermint. Essential oils are concentrated plant oils that are released upon crushing or distilling. With regards to peppermint oil, the essential oil is obtained after distilling dried leaves with steam. Studies suggest that peppermint oil may benefit a wide variety of conditions that range from cognitive to digestive.
Here are six potential benefits of peppermint oil.
For many individuals, the smell of peppermint itself can be uplifting and soothing. Research suggests that peppermint oil may act on neurotransmitters in the brain to benefit mood.
One double-blind, placebo-controlled cross-over study focused on the effects of peppermint oil on mood and cognition. The study involved 24 participants who took one dose of either a placebo or peppermint oil. The study found that peppermint oil not only improved cognitive performance but also improved feelings of fatigue and mental tiredness.
Another randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial analyzed the effect of peppermint oil on anxiety in patients who entered the emergency department with acute coronary syndrome.
Acute coronary syndrome, also called ACS, is a condition that occurs when there is an abrupt reduction of blood flow to the heart or a blockage of an artery. Symptoms of acute coronary syndrome may include chest pain or pain in the jaw, shortness of breath, nausea, and sweating. ACS is a life-threatening condition, and feelings of dread or anxiety may accompany it.
The study involved 64 participants who were diagnosed with ACS and were also experiencing anxiety. One group of patients was allowed to smell a cotton ball soaked in peppermint oil, while the other group had a cotton ball soaked in plain water. After the study, the group that was given the peppermint oil intervention had lower amounts of anxiety compared to placebo.
Peppermint has long been used as a digestive aid in traditional medicinal cultures. Studies show that peppermint oil may indeed be beneficial for digestion. One systematic review focused on the effects of a combination of peppermint oil and caraway oil for functional dyspepsia.
A systematic review is a study that acts as a summary of the evidence contained in medical journals about a specific topic. Functional dyspepsia means a reoccurrence of symptoms of a sick or upset stomach that have no discernible cause.
Some symptoms of functional dyspepsia include a burning sensation or pain in the stomach, feeling full early, a feeling of nausea when eating, and bloating. The study looked at 578 participants through 382 journals and five randomized controlled trials. After sifting through all the evidence, the study found that the peppermint and caraway oil combination may have significantly reduced symptoms of functional dyspepsia. The study also found that the oil combination may have reduced abdominal pain.
Another pre-post study involved 43 participants who suffered from a variety of gastrointestinal disorders like indigestion, heartburn, nausea, constipation, and diarrhea. A pre-post study is a type of study that measures symptoms in a group before and after an intervention. The study followed the 43 participants for 16 weeks as they took a supplement containing a variety of natural substances like peppermint oil, curcumin, aloe vera, and L-glutamine. After 16 weeks, the study found an improvement in gastrointestinal symptoms by 60-80%. The study also found an improvement in energy levels, mood, and sleep associated with the supplement intake.
Peppermint oil has been studied quite extensively on the effects of Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Irritable Bowel Syndrome, or IBS, is a condition affecting the stomach and gut that causes pain, bloating, constipation, and/or diarrhea.
Studies suggest that peppermint oil may help to alleviate the symptoms of IBS. One randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial involved 178 participants who had been diagnosed with IBS. After four weeks, the study found that peppermint oil did better than placebo in improving discomfort and the severity of IBS symptoms, with enteric-coated peppermint oil providing better results.
Enteric coating is a process that allows a supplement or medication to pass through the stomach without being destroyed by stomach acid.
One meta-analysis that pooled results from 12 randomized studies involving over 800 participants found that peppermint oil may have been more effective than placebo in reducing abdominal pain associated with IBS. Another randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial studied the effects of peppermint oil on the symptoms of IBS. The study involved 72 patients with IBS who either took a peppermint oil supplement for four weeks or took a placebo. Once the study ended, the results suggested that those in the peppermint oil group had less severity and frequency of symptoms of IBS. This is thought to be due to peppermint oil's smooth muscle relaxing effects, which may help to prevent gastrointestinal symptoms.
With the rise of superbugs that seem to develop resistance to new antimicrobials each day, there is a growing interest in finding new and effective ways to reduce the growing threat.
Studies suggest that peppermint oil may act as an effective antimicrobial. One test-tube study compared the effects of lavender oil and peppermint oil on the bacteria Streptococcus mutans, which is often abbreviated to S. mutans. S. mutans is a bacteria that lives in the human mouth and is the primary contributor to the development of cavities. The study found that both lavender oil and peppermint oil were effective at stopping the growth of the S. mutans bacteria although peppermint oil was slightly more effective.
Another test-tube study found that peppermint oil may be effective at stopping the growth of certain fungi like Aspergillus niger but was ineffective against Candida or yeast growth.
Headaches are one of the most common conditions experienced throughout the world. The World Health Organization estimates that approximately 50% of adults globally experience a headache at least once a year, while 1.7-4% of adults have headaches for 15 days or more each month. Research indicates that peppermint oil may be beneficial for those who suffer from headaches.
One randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study compared the effects of 4% lidocaine nasal drops and 1.5% peppermint oil nasal drops on migraines. A total of 120 participants who had been diagnosed with migraines were separated into one of three groups: those who took lidocaine, those who took peppermint oil, and a placebo group. The study found that the peppermint oil preparation performed just as well as the lidocaine nasal drops to reduce the frequency and severity of migraines.
Another randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study analyzed the effects of peppermint oil and eucalyptus oil on pain caused by headaches. The study involved 32 healthy participants who used a combination of peppermint oil and eucalyptus oil topically on their foreheads and temples. After the study, the results were interesting. The study found that a combination of peppermint and eucalyptus oil helped to increase cognition and improve mood but did not significantly reduce pain. Interestingly, peppermint oil without eucalyptus oil added, was found to significantly reduce headache pain.
Many individuals desire to have lush and thick hair. Studies suggest that peppermint oil may be able to promote hair growth.
One randomized animal study compared the topical application of saline, jojoba oil, minoxidil, or peppermint oil to see which would produce the greatest amount of hair growth in 4 weeks.
The study found that of the four contenders, peppermint oil was the most effective in inducing hair growth. The study suggested that those who received the peppermint oil intervention had thicker hair with stronger and deeper hair follicles. While animal studies are promising, more human studies need to be done to truly realize the potential of this amazing essential oil.
Peppermint oil is a powerful essential oil that may benefit a wide range of conditions. From headaches to digestion and beyond, peppermint oil may be an integral part of any wellness routine.
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By Dr. Candace Mathers, N.D.
