Peppermint is a smell, flavor and plant that is easily recognizable. From mint-flavored candy and toothpaste to VapoRub and shampoo, mint is everywhere. Beyond just smelling good, peppermint is able to relieve symptoms of IBS, get rid of dandruff, and help you focus! Learn more about the long list of benefits of peppermint essential oil below.

6 Benefits of Peppermint Essential Oil

1. IBS and Peppermint Oil

Peppermint has a long history of treating gastrointestinal discomforts and issues. It can be used specifically to treat irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and can overall just improve abdominal pain and reduce intestinal inflammation. Studies have found that peppermint oil can prevent muscle spasms and relax muscles. This plant oil can also improve abdominal pain, bloating and gas, which are all symptoms of IBS but are also ailments the average person experiences at one point or another. So, if you suffer from IBS or occasionally have intestinal pain, try peppermint oil capsules to ease your discomfort.

2. Anti-Microbial and Anti-Bacterial Properties

Studies have shown that peppermint oil has the ability to fight unwanted bacteria due to its high concentration of menthol and menthone. It is best for fighting E. coli and salmonella, as well as certain oral bacteria. Menthol disrupts bacterial membranes and prevents unhealthy bacteria from clinging to unwanted surfaces, like your mouth. This is why many toothpastes, mouthwashes, and other dental products taste like mint.

3. Peppermint Oil for Hair and Skin

As stated above, peppermint oil contains menthol, which, when applied to the scalp, causes more blood circulation to the scalp. This increased circulation helps hair follicles grow, which makes your hair grow faster. As well as making hair grow, peppermint oil hydrates your hair, strengthens hair follicles, balances scalp oil production, and can soothe an itchy scalp. On top of these other benefits, the antibacterial effects of peppermint oil can also help get rid of the fungus that causes dandruff!

As well as hair benefits, peppermint oil can also help your skin! Peppermint oil can brighten skin, prevent acne, and soothe irritated skin. The menthol cools the skin and improves blood flow, leading to healthier-looking skin. It’s antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory, which prevents acne from forming. However, if you are using diluted peppermint oil for your skin or hair, try it on a small portion of skin to see how your skin will react to a new substance before putting it all over your face or scalp.

4. Energy and Focus Booster

If you’ve been to school or taken a test, you’ve probably heard the phrase “Mints will help you focus.” And while this seems like an old wives’ tale there is actually some merit to it! Multiple studies have been released revealing that smelling peppermint can improve task performance, increase alertness, and improve memory. Peppermint is both a stimulant and a relaxant, so it can enhance focus and concentration without any jitters.

5. Peppermint Oil for Sinus and Respiratory Health

The menthol in peppermint oil has soothing and cooling properties that can ease aching throats and thin mucus production. It can also combat germs and relax throat muscles to open your airways by activating TRPM8 receptors in the lungs. So, if you are sick, try putting peppermint oil in a diffuser or using VapoRub on your chest or nose to clear out your sinuses.

6. Insect repellant

Using peppermint oil as an insect repellant has had mixed results over the years. Some say that diluted peppermint oil successfully repels mosquitoes, and others say that it does not work, so the oil has extremely varied results. Some say it works well, but many report that it doesn’t work quite as well as its synthetic/chemical counterparts like DEET. So, if you are interested in a natural, plant-based mosquito repellant, give diluted peppermint oil a try.

Cautions and Side Effects

• While peppermint oil can be highly useful, it doesn’t work for everyone and functions best in specific forms for certain treatments. For example, raw peppermint essential oil is not meant to be orally ingested. If you want peppermint oil to be a part of your diet, try taking peppermint capsules instead. If you do put peppermint in your food, always use peppermint extract, but keep in mind that consuming peppermint extract orally can cause heartburn, nausea and vomiting.
• If you are using peppermint oil for aromatherapy reasons, remember that peppermint oil is toxic to pets, so if you have any pets, do not diffuse peppermint oil into the air.
• Remember to always dilute your essential oil with a carrier oil, as all essential oils are extremely concentrated. Some of the most popular carrier oils include almond oil and jojoba oil. For general use, your essential oil should only be about 0.5-2% of your diluted mixture, as having a mixture that is too concentrated could do you more harm than good. So, once you have diluted the oil, you can then put this mixture straight on your skin or in an aromatherapy diffuser to receive peppermint’s many of the health benefits.
• On top of this, please talk to your doctor before introducing any new supplements into your diet, as peppermint oil and extract can interact with certain medications you may already be taking or impact the healing of recent surgical procedures you may have had.

References:

Peppermint Oil: Uses, Benefits, and Side Effects

16 Benefits of Peppermint oil and How to Use it Safely

The Use of Peppermint Oil in Gastroenterology – PubMed

https://www.jscimedcentral.com/jounal-article-info/JSM-Gastroenterology-and-Hepatology/Peppermint-Oil%3A-Clinical–Uses-in-the-Treatment-of-Gastrointestinal-Diseases-7332

Physical and Antibacterial Properties of Peppermint Essential Oil Loaded Poly (ε-caprolactone) (PCL) Electrospun Fiber Mats for Wound Healing – PMC

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3416409/#:~:text=Moreover%2C%20both%20peppermint%20oil%20and%20menthol%20are,as%20well%20as%20fungi%20(32%2C%2039%2C%2040).

Antibacterial and anti-biofilm activities of peppermint essential oil against Staphylococcus aureus – ScienceDirect

How to Use Peppermint Oil for Hair:6 Easy Ways

Benefits of Peppermint Oil for Skin | The Derm Spot

Peppermint Oil Respiratory Benefits: Lungs, Cough & Sinus Relief

How Peppermint Oil May Help Clear Brain Fog and Improve Focus Naturally – Health11News

Larvicidal and mosquito repellent action of peppermint (Mentha piperita) oil – ScienceDirect

187.p65