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Peppermint Oil Health Benefits, Uses And Its Side Effects

Last Updated: Sep 09, 2020

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Peppermint essential oil offers a ton of health benefits that have been studied and confirmed by scientists. It can significantly improve your digestive system. It is used to improve oral hygiene and is also very good for your skin and hair.

To prevent headaches start using pepperming oil as it has a cooling effect. It is used to relieve pain all over the body. It can be used to relieve stress and anxiety as well, and is known for its antispasmodic properties which help prevent spasms all over the body.

Peppermint essential oil is known for aiding respiration and circulation and can also boost your immune system. It can also be used to treat a number of viral, bacterial, and fungal infections and is effective against urinary tract infections (UTIs) as well. Some studies have shown that peppermint essential oil can also be used to treat and control the number of herpes outbreaks.

Peppermint Oil

The peppermint plant is a cross between a spearmint and watermint and is a very well known plant. It has an extremely distinct and recognisable flavour and smell and is often used in candies, especially candy canes during Christmas season.

Peppermint essential oil comes from the peppermint plant. Unlike most other essential oils, the health benefits of and various properties of peppermint oil have been studied extensively by scientists, which is why it is so well known and popular. This essential oil provides a whole range of health benefits and is used for many reasons.

Nutritional Value of Peppermint Oil

Peppermint oil is filled to the brim with nutrients and is extremely good for your health. In 100 grams of this essential oil, you will find a total of 70 calories. It has 0.9 grams of fat with a total of 0.2 grams of saturated fat, 0.5 grams of polyunsaturated fat, and no monounsaturated fat.

Peppermint oil has no cholesterol. It has 31 mg of sodium in it and 569 mg of potassium in it. The total carbohydrate content in a 100 grams of peppermint essential oil is 15 grams with 8 grams of dietary fiber in it. It has 3.8 grams of protein and is filled with a ton of important minerals.

Of the daily recommended dosage for each of the following, peppermint essential oil contains 84% of vitamin A, 24% of calcium, 52% of vitamin C, 28% of iron, 5% of vitamin B-6, and 20% of magnesium. It does not contain any vitamin B-12 or vitamin D in it. Peppermint essential oil also contains omega 3 fatty acids, which are extremely good for your body on the whole.

Nutritional facts Per 100 Grams

70
Calories
0.9 g
Total Fat
31 mg
Sodium
569 mg
Potassium
15 g
Total Carbohydrate
3.8 g
Protein

Vitamins and Minerals

84 %
Vitamin A
0.24
Calcium
52 %
Vitamin C
28 %
Iron
5 %
Vitamin B-6
20 %
Magnesium

Health Benefits of Peppermint Oil

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Mentioned below are the best health benefits of using peppermint oil. You can use this oil various conditions such as hair growth, acne, migraines, and skincare. This oil is used in various hair care & skincare products and many massage therapies.

In Ayurveda, peppermint is used in aromatherapy and also acts as a diffuser. You can easily find or buy peppermint oil from your local markets, we also listed some side effects and conditions when this oil is not suitable.

Peppermint Essential Oil Good for Digestion

Peppermint essential oil is known for its various benefits to the digestive system. To start with, it has carminative properties and can help expel gas from the body, along with providing relief from the symptoms of gas like abdominal cramps, headaches, chest pain, bloating, indigestion, and flatulence.

You can use peppermint oil to treat a number of stomach issues like motion sickness, nausea, upset stomachs, along with low appetites.

Peppermint essential oil can be combined with caraway oil in order to treat heart burn. It smoothens out the muscles in your gastrointestinal tract and can be used as an effective remedy for irritable bowel syndrome, which is basically a combination of discomfort in the abdomen and pain.

Peppermint Oil Good for Oral Health & Hygiene

Peppermint essential oil can add to your dental care. It is useful in eliminating bad breath and can also take care of a number of germs that tend to attack the gums and cause problems. It can also help treat toothaches.

Due to this, peppermint essential oil is used in a lot of oral care products such as toothpastes and mouth washes. Inhaling the vapor of this oil can help relieve pain, which is why it is mixed with oxygen and given to patients after an operative surgery, such as an intense root canal.

Use Peppermint Oil for Head Massage & Headache Relief

Peppermint essential oil is known for fighting headaches. It can be applied topically onto the forehead when you experience the pain. Inhaling it can cure motion sickness and nausea as well, and these sometimes contribute to getting headaches. Since oil of peppermint oil has both, cooling and anti-inflammatory properties, it can cure migraines within 15 minutes and is a good alternative to using pills.

It reduces stress

Peppermint essential oil is also known for reducing stress. It has sedative properties which allow your mind to relax, inducing feelings of calmness and peacefulness. It is good for people who are suffering from anxiety and have just been through a traumatic episode in their lives. Peppermint essential oil also helps with anger and depression.

Antispasmodic Properties of Peppermint Oil

Peppermint essential oil is an antispasmodic. This means that it can be used to relieve spasms all over the body, including spasms in the respiratory system, digestive system, muscular system, and even the nervous system.

Peppermint essential oil mainly has strong sedative effects as well as anti-inflammatory effects. Both of these work together to calm your body down and cure it of any spasms it may have. In the medical profession, peppermint essential oil is used during colonoscopies, double enemas, and gastroscopies in order to prevent the muscles from contracting involuntarily.

Peppermint Oil Capsules For Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)

Urinary tract infections are most commonly found in women, though they can occur in men as well. Peppermint essential oil has strong antibacterial properties which helps it fight a whole range of infections in the body.

One of the infections that it can ward off and prevent from coming back is a urinary tract infection. Peppermint essential oil must be ingested as a part of the diet for this to work best, although in some cases it works through inhalation as well.

Peppermint Oil Respiratory Benefits

Peppermint essential oil is extremely good for your respiratory system. This is because it contains menthol, which is a strong expectorant. What this means is that it can clear out all the excess mucus and phlegm that is present in your system, helping you breath more clearly.

Essential oil of peppermint prevent and eliminate congestion in the chest, throat, and nose. As a result, using peppermint essential oil can help you gain relief from a number of respiratory disorders like bronchitis, asthma, sinusitis, cold, and cough.

Peppermint Oil Acts as Natural Pain Reliever

Peppermint essential oil is commonly used to reduce pain the body. Its presence of calcium antagonism can help it remove pain from different parts of the body, making it an effect pain killer that poses no side effects.

Peppermint oil has cooling properties which also sometimes helps in decreasing pain. It can also decrease pain caused due to inflammation as it has anti-inflammatory properties. Furthermore, peppermint essential oil can also help in the case of injuries and wounds by helping them heal and taking away the pain.

Does Peppermint Essential Oil Increase Circulation

Another great benefit of using peppermint essential oil is that it can improve your circulation significantly. As a result, your body’s organs receive more amounts of oxygenated blood faster, which makes them function better. This increases your body metabolism and also the energy in your body.

It can also lead to higher cognitive function, which can protect your brain from a number of degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease and problems in the nervous system. Furthermore, better circulation is also good for diabetics as it reduces complications for them.

Peppermint Oil Boosts Your Immune System

Peppermint essential oil is also known for boosting your immune system. Your immune system is what prevents you from getting sick and fights off numerous infections and diseases so this is an extremely important benefit to take note of.

Peppermint oil has strong antibacterial, antivirus, and antifungal properties, due to which it can help you fight almost any kinds of infections. It is also highly effective against dangerous strains of infections such as staph infections, salmonella, and E. Coli. This is because peppermint essential oil contains menthol, camphor, and carvacrol in it.

Use of Peppermint Oil for Cosmetic Benefits

Peppermint essential oil is extremely good for your hair. Many people use essential oils to boost the health of their hair and different oils lend different benefits. Peppermint essential oil is known for removing lice and dandruff from your scalp.

It can boost the circulation of blood to the scalp and strengthen your hair at the roots, preventing hair fall. It also adds a ton of shine to dull hair and promotes hair growth.

Peppermint essential oil is also very good for your skin. The menthol in the oil creates a cooling sensation on your skin which helps it stay fresh. It can nourish your dull skin and also control the amount of oil or grease on the skin. It can also help with acne and dermatitis too.

Other Benefits of Peppermint Oil

Apart from this, peppermint essential oil offers other health benefits as well. It is believed that it can help prevent and fight against cancer. It can also prevent tuberculosis. It can even reduce the potency of herpes and the number of outbreaks one has.

Uses of Peppermint Oil

Peppermint essential oil is commonly used in aromatherapy. It blends well with a host of other essential oils such as the oils of eucalyptus, rosemary, marjoram, and lemon. Peppermint essential oil is used in a number of dental care products as well as cosmetic products as it is good for oral hygiene and skin care. It is also used in shampoos and as hair oil as it can improve the health of your hair.

As the benefits of peppermint essential oil have been studied so much, this oil is also sold in the form of tablets or capsules for people to ingest and gain from.

Peppermint essential oil is also used as a flavouring agent while cooking and is also added to a variety of drinks for its unique taste. It is also added to cigarettes for a cool and minty taste.

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Side-Effects & Allergies of Peppermint Oil

Peppermint essential oil does have a few side effects if used in very high quantities. It can give you headaches, heart burn, and allergic reactions. The best way to determine that peppermint oil is safe to use just conduct a patch test to see the way your body reacts to it.

As a general rule, you should always consult with your doctor or herbalist before adding anything new to your diet or lifestyle.

Cultivation of Peppermint Oil

Peppermint oil is native to Europe and was first used there. Now, this flavour has become so commonly known that one can find peppermint essential oil all over the world and gain from its many health benefits easily.

References

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    Written ByDrx Hina FirdousPhD (Pharmacology) Pursuing, M.Pharma (Pharmacology), B.Pharma - Certificate in Nutrition and Child CarePharmacology
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    Reviewed ByDt. Ms. Shilpa MarwahB.Sc (Home Science), Post Graduation Diploma in Dietetics and Public Health NutritionDietitian/Nutritionist
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