Peppermint essential oil is extracted from the leaves of the medicinal plant Mentha piperitabeing widely used in traditional medicine to treat various health problems, such as flu, headache, heartburn, nausea or stress.
This essential oil is rich in menthone and menthol with decongestant, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and analgesic medicinal properties, and can be used in aromatherapy, on the skin or in capsule form.
Peppermint essential oil can be found in health food stores and should be used with medical advice. In addition to oil, peppermint leaves can also be used to make tea. See how to prepare peppermint tea.
What is it for
The main benefits of peppermint oil are:
1. Improves nasal congestion
Peppermint essential oil is rich in menthol with natural decongestant properties that help unclog the nose and relieve nasal congestion and the feeling of a runny or blocked nose caused by flu, colds, sinusitis or rhinitis, for example.
Additionally, this oil has anti-inflammatory properties, which help reduce inflammation in the airways, relieving throat irritation and reducing coughing.
2. Relieves nausea
Peppermint essential oil has anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, calming and analgesic properties, which help relieve nausea caused by stomach pain, poor digestion or gastric ulcers, for example.
Furthermore, peppermint essential oil, when used by inhalation in aromatherapy, can also help relieve nausea after surgery.
A study (1) also showed that when a mixture of peppermint essential oil and almond oil was applied to the skin between the lips and nose, 3 times a day, starting 5 days after chemotherapy treatment, it helped to alleviate the patient’s nausea and vomiting. cancer treatment.
3. Helps in the treatment of irritable bowel
Peppermint essential oil gastro-resistant capsules can help relieve abdominal pain, diarrhea, constipation or excess intestinal gas caused by irritable bowel syndrome.
This is because these capsules help to calm the intestine, relax the intestinal muscles and have anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects.
4. Combat stress
Peppermint essential oil has a minty and refreshing smell, having calming, relaxing, toning and invigorating properties, which can help combat stress and anxiety.
To do this, it must be used as aromatherapy or applied to the skin mixed with a carrier oil.
5. Relieves headache
Peppermint essential oil helps relieve tension headaches and migraines as it has anti-inflammatory, analgesic and calming properties.
This essential oil can be used in massage or placed on the temples to help relieve tension and migraines.
6. Reduces itchy skin
Peppermint essential oil has antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic and soothing properties that help combat itchy or red skin caused by allergies or hives.
7. Relieves muscle pain
Peppermint essential oil, when used on the skin for massage, can help relieve muscle or joint pain caused by physical activity or rheumatism. Learn how to give relaxing massages using essential oil.
8. Fight canker sores
Peppermint essential oil also helps fight canker sores and bad breath, due to its anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antiseptic properties.
To do this, you must put peppermint oil in warm water to rinse your mouth or gargle.
9. Helps in the treatment of infections
Some studies (2,3) carried out in vitro in the laboratory, showed that peppermint essential oil has antimicrobial properties, which can help fight infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Proteus is wonderful, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter baumannii or Candida spp.
However, studies in humans are still needed to prove this benefit. Check out other benefits of peppermint.
How to use the oil
Peppermint essential oil can be used in the form of inhalation, aromatherapy, mouthwash, applied to the skin or ingested in capsule form.
1. Inhaling Peppermint Essential Oil
Inhaling peppermint essential oil can help relieve symptoms of anxiety, stress, nasal congestion, nausea or after surgery, for example.
Ingredients
- 3 to 4 drops of peppermint essential oil;
- 1 liter of boiling water.
Preparation mode
Place boiling water in a basin and add drops of peppermint essential oil. Then cover your head with an open towel, so that it also covers the basin, and breathe the steam as deeply as possible for up to 10 minutes, repeating 2 to 3 times a day.
When you finish inhaling, it is important to wipe your face with a towel soaked in cold water.
2. Aromatherapy with peppermint oil
Aromatherapy with peppermint essential oil can be done using a room diffuser, to relieve stress or anxiety, for example.
Ingredients
- 2 to 3 drops of peppermint essential oil;
- Water;
- Room diffuser or electric air freshener.
Preparation mode
Add the drops of peppermint essential oil and a little water inside an electric air freshener or in a room diffuser.
The cloud of smoke or vapor formed allows the aroma to be released throughout the room. See other ways to do aromatherapy.
The amount of water used varies according to the capacity of the electric air freshener or diffuser.
3. Massage with peppermint oil
Massage with peppermint essential oil can be done to relieve stress or pain in muscles or joints due to its pleasant aroma and relaxing and calming properties, in addition to having analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects.
Ingredients
- 10 drops of peppermint essential oil;
- 100 mL of a vegetable oil, such as coconut oil or sweet almond oil.
Preparation mode
Mix the ingredients and then apply to the skin, massaging gently with your fingertips, for about 10 minutes. See other benefits of massage with essential oils.
4. Applying the oil to the skin
Applying peppermint essential oil to the skin can help relieve itching or redness caused by allergies or hives, or combat tension headaches or migraines.
Additionally, applying peppermint essential oil to the skin can also help relieve nausea and vomiting from chemotherapy.
Ingredients
- 1 to 3 drops of peppermint essential oil;
- 2 teaspoons of a carrier oil, such as coconut oil, castor oil or sweet almond oil.
Preparation mode
Mix the ingredients and apply to the skin in the affected area.
To alleviate nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy, apply a drop of the mixture to the skin in the area between the lips and nose, 3 times a day.
Before using peppermint essential oil on the skin, an allergy test must be carried out by preparing a mixture containing 1 drop of peppermint essential oil in 1 teaspoon of carrier oil, and applying it on the skin. the back of the hand or the crook of the elbow.
Wait 24 hours and, if during this period the skin becomes red or irritated, it is not recommended to use peppermint essential oil.
5. Peppermint essential oil mouthwash
Rinsing with peppermint essential oil can be used to relieve discomfort from canker sores or bad breath.
Ingredients
- 2 to 3 drops of peppermint essential oil;
- 1 glass of water.
Preparation mode
Add the drops of peppermint essential oil to the glass of water and mix. Swish the mixture for 30 to 40 seconds, 2 to 3 times a day. Spit then.
6. Peppermint Essential Oil Capsules
Peppermint essential oil capsules should be taken orally, with preference being given to using capsules resistant to gastric juices or gastro-resistant, to alleviate the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome.
Recommended doses may vary depending on the concentration of peppermint essential oil in the capsules, which may contain 50 mg, 100 mg or 200 mg.
Therefore, its use must be carried out under medical guidance or from a herbalist according to the condition to be treated, with individualized doses.
Possible side effects
Side effects that may arise when using peppermint essential oil capsules are heartburn, a burning sensation in the stomach, nausea or vomiting.
When applied to the skin, peppermint essential oil can cause allergies, with symptoms such as itching, burning, redness or hives.
Who shouldn’t use
Peppermint essential oil should not be used by infants or children or by people who are allergic to peppermint or other components of the oil.
The use of peppermint oil should be avoided by pregnant women, as the oil is more concentrated in active substances, and the effect it may have on the baby is not yet known.
Furthermore, breastfeeding women should also avoid using it as it can pass into breast milk and alter the smell and taste of the milk, harming breastfeeding.
Peppermint essential oil should also not be used on the mucous membranes of the eyes or genital region, and should not be ingested orally, except when used in capsule form, and should also not be applied pure to the skin.
Peppermint essential oil capsules should not be used in cases of gastroesophageal reflux or stomach problems, as they can cause increased gastric sensitivity.
It is important that the use of peppermint essential oil in the form of capsules is guided by a doctor or herbalist, as it can interact with various medicines, such as cyclosporine, simvastatin, ketoconazole, medicines for the stomach, heart or high blood pressure, for example, increasing the risk of side effects or reducing the effect of medications.
When to go to the doctor
It is important to see a doctor if you experience side effects from using peppermint essential oil.
Furthermore, the ideal is to consult a general practitioner before starting to use peppermint essential oil, so that it can be used safely, advising on the correct route of administration and evaluating the use of other medications, to avoid drug interactions. .
Make an appointment with a general practitioner in the nearest region:
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