There are many peppermint essential oil uses and benefits. Find out why this popular oil needs to be part of your collection.
Peppermint is a popular flavoring for candy and gum. But, there is much more to this minty herb. Peppermint has been used for thousands of years for it’s health benefits.
What are the peppermint essential oil uses and benefits?
Aromatherapy has become increasingly popular. Lots of people are using peppermint essential oil. Peppermint essential oil uses and benefits include easing symptoms associated with the following:
- Colds
- Fever
- Headache
- Lethargy
- Sunburn
- Constipation
- Congestion
- Indigestion
- Stress
- Soreness
- Gas
All plants contain tons of natural elements. Some compounds in peppermint are known for their broad-acting benefits. These compounds include rosmarinic acid and several flavonoids.
Flavonoids are plant-based chemicals. They give plants color. Flavonoids have disease-fighting qualities. They are also natural anti-inflammatories. And, they also boost immunity. Eriocitrin, luteolin and hesperidin are three flavonoids in peppermint. These components stand out for their health benefits.
All plant compounds contain organic compounds in their essential oil. Peppermint oil contains menthol and menthone.
Broad acting benefits
A review of peppermint and peppermint oil was published in the American Family Physician. It concluded that peppermint oil may be effective in the treatment of non-ulcer dyspepsia.
Many people rub peppermint essential oil on their temples. This helps relieve a headache. The same study concluded applying peppermint oil may be useful in the treatment of tension headache.
The study also concluded peppermint essential oil has relaxing effects on smooth muscle. This is why it’s used for relief of colonic spasm in patients undergoing barium enemas.
More anti-headache proof
Several other studies support peppermint oil’s effectiveness in treating headaches. This study concluded a 10% peppermint oil solution efficiently alleviates tension headaches.
Peppermint oil is a cost-effective alternative to usual therapies. Researchers compared peppermint oil’s efficacy compared to acetaminophen and to a placebo. Peppermint oil proved to be effective in headache relief.
IBS
Nine studies were published in the Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology. These studies involved over 700 subjects. The study looked at the short term relief of irritable bowl syndrome (IBS). The analysis concluded peppermint oil is safe and effective for IBS.
Hair growth
A study on peppermint essential oil was published in Toxicological Research. It concluded that peppermint stimulated hair growth. The study was done on an animal model. But, the results show it may be effective for hair loss in humans.
Disease-fighting
A review of peppermint health benefits was published in Phytotherapy Research. It concluded peppermint essential oil has significant positive attributes. These include the following:
- antimicrobial
- antiviral
- antioxidant
- antitumor
- antiallergenic
The study concluded peppermint oil has other benefits. The researchers found peppermint oil relaxes the gastrointestinal (GI) tissue. They also found peppermint oil to contain pain-relieving properties.
Exercise performance
One small study was published in the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition. It tracked 12 healthy male students. Each subject consumed Every day consumed one 500 ml bottle of mineral water. The water contained a small amount of peppermint essential oil. The water was consumed for 10 days. The results of the experiment are profound. It shows peppermint essential oil improves exercise performance. It was also shown to benefit lung capacity, blood pressure, and respiratory rate.
The researchers believe the results show peppermint’s ability to:
- relax lung muscles
- increase breathing capacity and brain oxygen concentration
- decrease blood lactate levels
Another small study showed similar results. This one involved 30 healthy male university students. They were randomly divided into experimental and control groups. Factors tested included: vertical and long jumps, blood pressure, heart rate, and lung capacity. These markers were tested before an oral dose of peppermint oil, five minutes after, and one hour after. The results noticed an improvement in lung capacity.
Can anybody use peppermint oil?
Caution has been urged for peppermint oil therapy for patients with certain conditions. These include GI reflux, hiatal hernia or kidney stones. In traditional Chinese medicine peppermint oil has been used for thousands of years. The Chinese have used peppermint for its cooling properties in the lung and liver channels. It’s also used for sore throats and even to treat depression.
Peppermint essential oil uses and benefits are plenty. What’s your favorite way to use peppermint oil?
