Peppermint oil capsules have been described as 'the drug of first
choice' in IBS patients, as it safely helps alleviate symptoms and
improve quality of life. Research has shown that it is effective in
children and adults alike, with one study showing a 50 percent reduction
in "total irritable bowel syndrome score" among 75 percent of patients
who tried it.
Why might you want to add peppermint to your natural medicine
chest? Here are 21 valuable uses for this therapeutic plant.2
1. Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
Peppermint oil capsules have been described as ‘the drug of first
choice’ in IBS patients,3
as it safely helps alleviate symptoms and improve quality of life.
Research has shown that it is effective in children and adults
alike, with one study showing a 50 percent reduction in “total
irritable bowel syndrome score” among 75 percent of patients who
tried it.4
2. Colonic Spasm and Gas
Peppermint oil is an effective alternative to drugs like Buscopan
for reducing colonic spasms.5
It may also relax the muscles of your intestines, allowing gas to
pass and easing abdominal pain. Try peppermint oil or leaves added
to tea for gas relief.
3. Gastric Emptying Disorders
In people with functional gastrointestinal disorders, peppermint
may be useful to enhance gastric emptying.6
4. Functional Dyspepsia (Upset Stomach and Indigestion)
Supplementing with 90 milligrams (mg) of peppermint oil, along
with caraway oil, “much or very much improved” symptoms of
functional dyspepsia in 67 percent of patients.7
If you have an upset stomach, try drinking a small glass of water
with a few drops of peppermint essential oil added.
5. Infantile Colic
Peppermint is at least as effective as simethicone in the
treatment of colic in infants.8
6. Breastfeeding-Associated Nipple Pain and Damage
Peppermint water helped to prevent nipple cracks and pain in
breastfeeding mothers.9
7. Tuberculosis
Inhaled essential oil of peppermint helped to rapidly regress
tuberculosis inflammation, with researchers suggesting it may help
prevent recurrences and exacerbation of the disease.10
8. Allergic Rhinitis (Hay Fever)
Extracts from peppermint leaves may inhibit histamine release,
which suggests it may help alleviate hay fever symptoms.11
9. Shingles-Associated Pain
A topical treatment of peppermint oil resulted in near-immediate
improvement in shingles-associated pain, with the results lasting
for two months of follow-up treatment.12
10. Memory Problems
The aroma of peppermint has been shown to enhance memory and
increase alertness.13
11. Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea
Peppermint oil effectively reduces chemotherapy-induced nausea,
and at a reduced cost compared to standard drug-based treatments.14
12. Prostate Cancer
Peppermint contains menthol, which may inhibit the growth of
prostate cancer.15
13. Radiation Damage
Peppermint may protect against DNA damage and cell death caused
by radiation exposure.16
14. Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1
Peppermint has been shown to help inhibit drug-resistant herpes
simplex virus type 1.17
15. Dental Cavities and Bad Breath
Peppermint oil extract has been shown to be superior to the
mouthwash chemical chlorhexidine in inhibiting the formation of
biofilm formations linked to dental cavities.18
Powdered peppermint leaves have also been used historically to
freshen breath and whiten teeth; you can even add a drop or two
directly to your toothpaste.
16. Respiratory Benefits
Peppermint oil acts as an expectorant and decongestant, and may
help clear your respiratory tract. Use peppermint essential oil as a
cold rub on your chest or inhale it through a vaporizer to help
clear nasal congestion and relieve cough and cold symptoms.
17. Headaches
Peppermint oil may help relieve tension headache pain. For
headache pain, try dabbing a few drops on your wrist or sprinkling a
few drops on a cloth, then inhaling the aroma. You can also massage
the oil directly onto your temples and forehead.
18. Stress
Peppermint oil is cooling and energizing. Add a few drops to your
bath, or dap a few drops directly on your body then get into the
tub, for near-instant stress relief. You can also put the oil into a
burner for a stress-relieving aroma.
19. Hair and Skin
Try blending peppermint oil into your massage oil, shampoo,
bodywash or body lotion. It has antiseptic and antibacterial
properties that can help cool your skin and remove dandruff (and
lice) from your scalp.
20. Asthma
Peppermint contains rosmarinic acid (also found in rosemary),
which may help to reduce inflammation-causing chemicals in people
with asthma.
21. Muscle Pain
Peppermint may help to relieve muscle spasms and pain. Try
massaging its essential oil onto sore muscles or adding it to your
bath water for muscle pain relief.
Peppermint comes from the mint plant (there are about 25
different species of mint), and is actually a natural hybrid cross
between water mint and spearmint. In addition to its medicinal
properties, mint leaves were rubbed on tables to welcome guests in
Greece, and mint tea is still customarily offered to arriving guests
in the Middle East.19
When selecting peppermint for your own use, the fresh leaves will
impart a superior flavor to dried leaves (such as for use in tea).
Look for fresh leaves that are green in color without any dark spots
or yellowing. In addition to using fresh mint leaves in tea, you can
add them to soups, fruit salad or gazpacho. Peppermint essential oil
is also widely available, as is peppermint extract in supplement
form.
The essential oil is ideal for muscle and chest rubs, headache
pain, dental care and aromatherapy. You can even add it to your
homemade cleaning supplies for extra antimicrobial power and natural
fragrance.
If you want to give the therapeutic properties of peppermint a
try, simply add a drop or two of natural peppermint extract or a few
crushed mint leaves into a glass of pure water (either iced or hot).
For even more therapeutic punch, and with flu season upon us, try a
tea made from a combination of elderflower, yarrow, boneset, linden,
peppermint and ginger; drink it hot and often for combating
a cold or flu. It causes you to sweat, which is helpful for
eradicating a virus from your system.
© Copyright 1997-2013 Dr. Joseph Mercola. All Rights Reserved.