Peppermint is an aromatic herb in the mint family. It’s a hybrid mint that’s a cross between spearmint and watermint. It can be found naturally in North America and Europe.

Peppermint essential oil can be extracted from the leaves of the peppermint plant and is used for a variety of different purposes.

Read on to discover more about the forms of peppermint oil, its uses, and potential health benefits.

Peppermint oil can be found in a variety of forms. Some examples include:

  • essential oils, a very concentrated form that can be used for aromatherapy or diluted and applied to the skin
  • extracts, a more diluted form that can be used to add peppermint flavor to foods
  • 胶囊,可达克en as dietary supplements

Peppermint oil has a sharp odor that’s cool and refreshing. Its taste is similar. You may be familiar with the coolness in your mouth after you consume something with a peppermint flavor.

The main chemical components of peppermint oil are menthol and menthone. However, there are many more as well.

Peppermint oil has a wide variety of uses. For example, it can be used as:

  • a treatment for a variety of conditions, includingirritable bowel syndrome(IBS), nausea, and other digestive issues, as well as thecommon coldandheadaches
  • a topical application for relief fromitching, muscle pain, and headache
  • a flavoring agent in foods and in products such as mouthwashes
  • a fresh, pleasing scent added to soaps and cosmetic products

Records of the use of mint plants for medicinal purposes go all the way back to the times of Ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome. So, what does modern research say about the benefits of peppermint oil?

While some of the potential benefits of peppermint oil are based off of personal testimony, research is ongoing into its health benefits. We’ll explore some of that research below.

Some of the most extensive research into the benefits of peppermint oil has focused onIBS. IBS is a chronic gastrointestinal (GI) condition that can involve abdominal pain, diarrhea, and constipation.

A recent review of 12 trials examined the efficacy of peppermint oil capsules when compared to placebo in treating IBS. Researchers found that treatment with peppermint oil improved abdominal pain and other symptoms of IBS.

The specific ways peppermint oil helps ease the symptoms of IBS and other GI conditions are largely unknown. Some poss i bilities include:

  • relaxing the smooth muscles of the GI tract
  • having an anti-inflammatory effect
  • affecting the types of bacteria that naturally live in the GI tract
  • decreasing pain sensation in the GI tract

Peppermint oil or menthol, one of its main chemical components, has been used in combination with caraway to treatfunctional dyspepsia. This condition is characterized by bloating and pain in the area of the stomach.

A recent review article summarized the results of several studies involving peppermint/menthol and caraway. Overall, this combination treatment appears promising in relieving symptoms associated with functional dyspepsia.

Anotherreviewof studies of herbal remedies for GI conditions in children and adolescents found that peppermint oil was effective at reducing the duration, frequency, and severity of abdominal pain when compared to placebo.

However, peppermint oil wasn’t effective in comparison tosimethicone dropsin treatingcolic.

Nausea can often occur after an operation. One small study assessed the effect of inhaled peppermint oil on postoperative nausea. They found that patients rated their level of nausea as lower after inhaling peppermint oil.

However, a recentreviewof studies examined the effects of aromatherapy on postoperative nausea. Four of the reviewed studies involved peppermint oil compared to placebo. The reviewers found that inhaling peppermint oil had little or no effect on the severity of nausea.

Symptoms like nausea and vomiting are alsocommonlypresent in the early stages of pregnancy. A recent study in 56 pregnant women looked at how aromatherapy with peppermint oil affected nausea and vomiting. They found no significant difference between peppermint oil and placebo.

Wintergreen oil and menthol have been used to treat pain fromtension headaches,migraine headaches, and other causes.

One small study looked at the topical application of a 10 percent menthol solution for migraine treatment. They found that when applied to the forehead and temples, participants had a longer duration of pain relief and less nausea and light sensitivity compared to placebo.

Another study investigated the use of a treatment gel for migraines. The gel contained menthol as one of its components and was applied to the skin when a migraine began. Researchers found that there was a significant improvement by at least one severity level two hours after application.

A recent study examined the effect of peppermint oil tablets on people with difficulty swallowing and non-cardiac chest pain. Over half of the participants reported an improvement in their symptoms.

薄荷油通常是用于化妆品。But there’s a limited amount of research into the potential benefits of peppermint when applied to the skin andhair.

A small study looked at the topical application of peppermint oil and the effect that it had on chronic itching. Researchers found that a one percent solution of peppermint oil led to improvements in how long itchiness lasted and the severity of the itch.

A second small study examined the effect of applying peppermint oil on the skin to reduce itching during pregnancy. Researchers found that applying a 0.5 percent solution of peppermint oil twice a day for two weeks significantly reduced itch severity compared to the control.

Another study in mice compared peppermint oil to minoxidil (Rogaine) and control compounds. The researchers found that a three percent solution of peppermint oil led to growth of thick, long hair in mice after four weeks of treatment, similar to results obtained using minoxidil.

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.

One study found that incubating peppermint oil with several strains ofStaphylococcus aureus, some of which were antibiotic resistant, inhibited the production of an important bacterial toxin. This effect was dose-dependent, meaning that the effect increased with rising doses of peppermint oil.

While this result is promising, the antimicrobial activity of peppermint oil may depend on the species of bacteria. Another study found that peppermint oil showed no antimicrobial activity against a species ofStreptococcus.

A study from 2017 looked at the activity of several essential oils against different strains ofCandidayeast. While peppermint oil did have some antifungal activity, it had the lowest activity out of all the oils that were tested.

TheFDArecommends only using essential oils according to manufacturer’s guidelines.

Essential oils are not meant to be taken orally. Some possible side effects from taking peppermint extract orally include heartburn, nausea, and vomiting. Choose an extract if you’re adding peppermint oil to food.

Aromatherapy or topical use of diluted essential peppermint oil can have significant benefits with little risk. But be aware that peppermint aromatherapy can be toxic to pets. Always consider children, pets, and pregnant women before using aromatherapy.

If taken in very large doses, peppermint oil can be toxic. It contains a known toxic compound called pulegone. Cosmetic formulations of peppermint oil are supposed to contain one percent or less pulegone, although in some cases they may contain more.

它’s also important to remember that peppermint essential oil is very concentrated and should always be diluted properly before topical use. Onlya few dropsare needed for diluting in an ounce of carrier oil.

In some cases, peppermint oil that’s applied to the skin may cause irritation or a rash to occur. If you’re concerned about having a skin reaction to peppermint oil, test a small patch of your skin first.

People who should avoid using peppermint oil include:

  • People with G6PD deficiency.People with a specific enzyme deficiency, calledG6PD deficiency, should avoid using peppermint as an extract or an oil in aromatherapy.
  • People taking certain medications.薄荷油芳香疗法能抑制一种酶called CYP3A4, which is responsible for breaking down many different types of medication. If you’re taking any prescription medications, talk to your doctor before using peppermint oil.
  • Children and babies.You should avoid applying peppermint oil to the faces or chests of babies and young children. Side effects can occur from inhaling the menthol present in peppermint oil.

Peppermint aromatherapy can also be toxic pets such as dogs and cats.

薄荷油来自于薄荷植物。它’s been used for many things, such as relieving GI discomfort, easing nausea, and alleviating pain.

While some of the proposed benefits of peppermint oil come from anecdotal evidence, research suggests peppermint oil may be beneficial for IBS and other digestive conditions, as well as pain relief.

Peppermint oil is generally safe, but it can be toxic when taken in very large doses. Additionally, you should always dilute peppermint essential oil before use.

If you have any concerns or questions about using peppermint oil, you should speak to your doctor before using it.