Peppermint Oil
Peppermint Oil is prepared from peppermint leaves with steam distillation technique. It is an herbal ingredient used in several cosmetic products and traditional medicines. It is beneficial in headache, respiratory diseases, upset stomach, abdominal pain and cramps, headache, muscle pain, sinusitis, joint pain, chronic fatigue, pruritus (itching), fever, skin inflammation, acne, hair loss and hair thinning, irritable bowel syndrome, bloating, nausea, colic, polycystic ovarian syndrome and cancer.
Composition & Active Constituents
Menthol (C10H19OH) is a primary active constituent in Peppermint Essential Oil. In addition, it contains menthone and menthyl esters. It contains magnesium, iron, folate, manganese, copper, potassium, vitamin A and Vitamin C and omega-3 fatty acids.
Peppermint Oil Indications
Peppermint Essential Oil is therapeutically indicated in the following health conditions:
External Use
- Joint pain
- Muscle pain
- Fibromyalgia
- Myofascial Pain Syndrome
- Hair fall – added in shampoo
- Hair loss – added in shampoo
- Pruritus
- Poison ivy
- Fever – rubbed on the neck and feet
- Skin inflammation
- Acne
- Headache – applied to the forehead
- Migraine – applied to the forehead
- Sunburn
- Bad breath – used as mouthwash adding in a glass of water
- Cavities – added in toothpaste
- Teething – rubbed on the gums
Internal Use
- Poor digestion
- Loss of appetite
- Flatulence
- Intestinal worms
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
- Sticky stools with mucus content
- Abdominal cramps
- Vomiting with sweet taste of mouth or eject the eaten foods, but not sour or acidic vomitus (contraindicated if vomitus is sour, acidic and burning or occurs due to acid reflux)
- Diarrhea with mucus content
- Morning sickness
- Bacterial overgrowth in the intestine
- Gas
- Bloating
- Productive cough
- Recurrent hiccup
- Breathing troubles
- Cold
- Sinusitis with purulent nasal discharge
- Dysmenorrhea (painful periods)
- Uterine cramps
- Menstrual problems – in case of reduced flow of menstrual period
- Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)
- Dysuria (difficult or painful urination)
- Infantile colic
- Cancer
Inhalation
- Sinusitis with purulent nasal discharge
- Excessive hunger
- Feeling of loss of energy
- Allergies – affecting respiratory system
Peppermint Oil Benefits & Uses
Peppermint oil acts on oral cavity, stomach, intestines, lungs and mind. It reduces abdominal cramps due to its antispasmodic action. It has antimicrobial properties, which helps to fight against several infections, especially upper respiratory tract infections. Its Inhalation helps to improve concentration, attention span, and mental alertness.
How to Use Peppermint Oil
(Dosage & Administration)
Peppermint Oil is used externally as well as internally for many health problems, as discussed below:
External Use
Generally, Peppermint Essential Oil is applied to the affected are on the skin. It is present in pain relieving gels and creams. It is also an ingredient of medicated soap, toothpaste, and shampoo.
In respiratory problems, it can be mixed with eucalyptus essential oil and used as vapor rub.
In hair loss and scalp itching, it can be added in the shampoo and mixed in coconut oil to use it for scalp massage.
In skin problems, it can be applied on the affected parts. If dilution is necessary, then add a few drops of peppermint essential oil in coconut oil.
Internal Use
The essential oil of peppermint can also be taken placing a drop on the tongue. It can also be added in lukewarm water.
| Peppermint Oil Dosage | |
| Children (above the age of 5 years) | 0.1 ml – whenever required or 1 to 3 times a day |
| Adults | 0.2 to 0.4 ml – whenever required or 2 to 3 times a day |
| Maximum Possible Dosage | 1.2 ml Per Day (in divided doses) |
| Doses: In children, it can be given once a day or use it as required or recommended by a herbalist. In adults, 1 0.2 to 0.4 ml twice or thrice daily is a sufficient dosage to get relief in most of the health conditions. | |
| When to Take: After meal – Breakfast, and Dinner; it is also taken on an empty stomach. When it is taken after a meal, it is well-tolerated. | |
| Adjuvant: Lukewarm water | |
| Treatment Duration: 3 days to 4 weeks; treatment duration with peppermint essential oil can vary as per health conditions. | |
Peppermint Oil is also available in the market in form of softgel capsules, which are commonly used for abdominal diseases including irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), intestinal spasm, bloating, gas, bronchitis, breathing trouble, congestion etc.
| The dosage of Peppermint Essential Oil Capsules: | |
| Children (above the age of 5 years) | 1 Capsule – whenever required or one capsule daily |
| Adults | 1 to 2 capsules – 2 to 3 times a day or whenever required. |
| Maximum Possible Dosage | 4 Capsules Per Day (in divided doses) |
| Doses: In the case of children, it can be given once a day or use it as required or recommended by a herbalist. In adults, 1 capsule twice daily is a sufficient dosage to get relief from most of the health conditions. | |
| When to Take: After meal – Breakfast, and Dinner; it is also taken on an empty stomach. When it is taken after a meal, it is well-tolerated. | |
| Adjuvant: Lukewarm water | |
| Treatment Duration: 3 days to 4 weeks; treatment duration with peppermint essential oil capsules can vary according to health conditions. | |
Safety Profile
The external application mixed with base oil and inhalation of Peppermint Oil is likely safe when used as recommended by a herbalist.
Internal (oral) intake of Peppermint Oil is also possibly safe when used less than 0.4 ml twice daily or 0.8 ml per day. Higher dosage can cause burning sensation or burning pain in the abdomen and heartburn.
Peppermint Oil Side Effects
The common side effect of the Peppermint Oil is heartburn, occurring when it is taken orally. The effect is also dose-dependent. Most of the people can tolerate in the recommended dosage as described in this article.
Contraindications
Peppermint essential oil should not be used in following conditions:
Contraindicated External Use
- Open wounds (external application)
- Cuts
- Mouth ulcers
Contraindicated Internal Use
- Mouth ulcers
- Gastritis
- Heartburn
- Peptic or stomach Ulcer
- Ulcerative colitis
- Bleeding disorders
- Burning sensation or burning pain in the abdomen
- Burning micturition
