Aromatherapy, Congestion, Indigestion and Irritable Bowel Benefits of Peppermint Oil and Side Effects

In small doses, diluted and in a warm environment, peppermint oil is generally safe for healthy, non-pregnant, non-allergic adults.

You can purchase peppermint oil as bulk herb oil, enteric-coated capsules, soft gel caps and liquid forms.

Peppermint oil/leaf is being used by some for a myriad of health conditions or environmental annoyances, such as:

That’s quite a laundry list of conditions and annoyances, some of which are rather common. The techniques used to treat this extensive list with peppermint oil encompass:

  • orally
  • aromatherapy
  • message therapy
  • topical application

So what about this miracle stuff.

Peppermint is a flowering plant that is widely cultivated for its fragrant oil, the U.S. being one of the principal producers.

You’ll find peppermint as a refreshing ingredient in chewing gum, toothpaste and mouthwash. There is a bit of positive research evidence that cleaning your mouth with a diluted oil mixture of tea tree oil, peppermint oil and lemon improves bad breath.

But what else does the evidence say about peppermint oil?

Well, a combination of peppermint oil and caraway oil may be beneficial for dyspepsia (heartburn) symptoms. On the flip side, it could also cause you some heartburn.

Sticking to the stomach, peppermint may improve irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) symptoms and intestinal spams issues. Preliminary research suggests that peppermint oil, taken orally, improves gastric emptying.

Diluted peppermint oil messaged into forehead and temples has been tested for headaches, with unclear results.

Peppermint tea treatment for urinary tract infections is not clear. Thus, it is not recommended to rely on peppermint tea alone to treat this condition. (Wonder if mixing it with cranberry juice works.)

Menthol, a constituent of peppermint oil, is sometimes included in inhaled preparations as an aromatherapy for nasal congestion. For concentrated beneficial relief, apply a little peppermint oil under your nose and sniff.

Peppermint oil is not without the risk of side effects. When used in your mouth it can cause:

  • mouth ulcers
  • throat closing
  • asthma symptoms
  • breathing problems
  • bronchial constriction

When used on your skin, peppermint oils potential side effects are:

Ingested peppermint oil may result in:

And if taken in very large doses it can cause muscle weakness, brain damage and seizure. Always read your product label for proper dosage.

Peppermint oil should be used cautiously by people with G6PD deficiency or gallbladder disease. Also, this oil may interfere with the way your body processes certain drugs, herbs or supplements.

So, if you have a chronic medical condition, taking other drugs, herbs or supplements, you need to consult your physician before embarking on any peppermint oil therapy. Peppermint is not recommended for children under 18, needs more extensive testing.

Possibly a daily cup of peppermint tea in your diet regime will offer some benefit to your digestive system.

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