Peppermint Oil Benefits
The health benefits of peppermint oil include its ability to treat indigestion, respiratory problems, headache, nausea, fever, stomach and bowel spasms, as well as pain. Due to the presence of menthol, menthone, and methyl esters, peppermint, and peppermint oil find wide applications in the manufacturing of soap, shampoo, cigarettes, toothpaste, chewing gum, tea, and ice cream.
Peppermint is a cross between watermint and spearmint and is native to Europe. Historically, the herb has been known for its medicinal uses, and its impressively long history often gives it the prestigious title as the world’s oldest medicine.
Unlike many other herbs and essential oils, numerous health benefits of peppermint and peppermint oil have been studied and proved by science. As a result, peppermint oil is also sold in the form of capsules and tablets and is even prescribed by doctors of alternative and modern medicine.
Peppermint oil can also be used as a flavoring agent. You will find very few people who find peppermint unsuitable for their palate. It contains numerous minerals and nutrients including manganese, iron, magnesium, calcium, folate, potassium, and copper. It also contains omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin A, and vitamin C.
Health Benefits Of Peppermint Oil
The health benefits of this oldest medicinal oil include the following:
Reduces Stress
Like most other essential oils, peppermint is able to provide relief from stress, depression, and mental exhaustion due to its refreshing nature. It is also effective against anxiety and restlessness. Furthermore, it stimulates mental activity, clears the mind, and boosts cognition.
Hair Care
Peppermint oil is very useful for hair care as it gives a cooling effect to the head while removing dandruff and lice. Peppermint oil has antiseptic, regenerative, and stimulating effects, which means that it can relieve the scalp of irritation and dry skin, stimulate hair growth for those suffering from baldness, and give relatively healthy hair a shiny, fresh look. Peppermint oil can be found in many hair products and alternative solutions for baldness, dandruff, and other hair-related conditions. Increasing blood circulation to the scalp can also promote healthy hair growth.
Reduces Pain
Peppermint oil can be used externally in order to provide relief from pain. It is believed that the presence of calcium antagonism in peppermint oil helps remove pain from affected areas. It is also cooling in nature and is subsequently used to reduce fever. It is frequently called a “refrigerant”, meaning that it can provide an intensely cold sensation to any affected area. In case of injury or wound, topically apply peppermint oil to the area to reduce swelling, relieve pain, and eliminate the chances of uncomfortable inflammation.
Relieves Headache
Peppermint oil is a good home remedy for nausea and headaches. To quickly alleviate the pain of a headache, simply apply it in a diluted form directly on the forehead. Inhaling peppermint oil can eliminate the effects of nausea and motion sickness, simply because of its relaxing and soothing effects. Its cooling and anti-inflammatory properties are part of the reason why it is so successful at relieving headache symptoms, and it is even used to reduce the pain of migraines in certain patients within 15 minutes of topical application, according to a study done in 2007.
Treats Respiratory Problems
Menthol, which is abundantly present in peppermint oil, helps to clear the respiratory tract. It is also an effective expectorant and therefore provides instantaneous, though temporary, relief for numerous respiratory problems including nasal congestion, sinusitis, asthma, bronchitis, cold, and cough. As a result, it is used in numerous cold rubs and balms. When these cold rubs are applied to the chest, they can quickly remove nasal and respiratory congestion. In one study, the use of peppermint oil proved to be antispasmodic, expectorant, and anti-inflammatory in nature, and considerably soothed the trachea inflammation and coughing in rats. Obviously, more human-based studies need to be conducted, but it has been a frequent part of alternative medicine for generations and is highly respected for its use in relieving respiratory issues.
Improves Digestion
Peppermint oil is very helpful for digestion. People often put a few drops of peppermint oil in a glass of water and drink it after their meal for its beneficial properties. It is a carminative and therefore helps in removing excess gas. It is also a good tonic for those who have a low appetite and helps in treating motion sickness, nausea, and upset stomachs. Preliminary research has proven that when combined with caraway oil, it can be used for treating heartburn.
Peppermint oil can relax the smooth muscles of the GI tract, which is why it is so commonly a component of over-the-counter medications. A number of studies have also shown it to be a great reliever of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), which affects millions of people every year and is characterized by abdominal pain or discomfort without any other diagnosed disease. Further research still needs to be done on the exact mechanism by which this occurs, but numerous studies have validated these effects.
Improves Blood Circulation
The stimulating effects of peppermint oil have been shown to increase blood circulation. Studies have shown that as soon as the vapor of the essential oil touches the end of the olfactory nerve endings, there is an instant increase in pulse rate and blood circulation. The stimulating effect of increased blood circulation helps oxygenate the body’s organs and increase metabolism. This leads to higher cognitive function and protection against neurally degenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and dementia. Furthermore, increased blood circulation can prevent diabetics from complications they are already at risk of due to their glucose level imbalances.
Treats Urinary Tract Infection
Peppermint oil can be used to treat urinary tract infections (UTI). Although it is traditionally used, formal scientific research is still underway to understand the details of this specific attribute. Peppermint oil has a wealth of antibacterial qualities, which may be the underlying reason why it can reduce the effects and frequency of urinary tract infections in alternative applications.
Skin Care
Peppermint oil contains menthol, which is good for the skin because it gives a cooling sensation. Furthermore, it nourishes dull skin and improves the texture of oily or greasy skin.
It is also believed that peppermint oil is useful in the treatment of cancer and tuberculosis, although more research needs to be done in these areas. Furthermore, peppermint oil has been a part of some preliminary studies as an antiviral agent that can reduce the chances of herpes infections and recurring outbreaks.
Peppermint blends well with various other essential oils including eucalyptus, rosemary, lemon, and marjoram. So many aromatherapists and herbalists commonly use peppermint oil in their medicinal or aromatic combinations.
Dental Care
Peppermint oil, due to its antiseptic properties, is very useful in dental care. It also eliminates bad breath and helps teeth and gums fight off hazardous germs. Unsurprisingly, these attributes mean that it is added to numerous toothpastes, and it is also shown to be useful in the treatment of a toothache. At times, the inhalation of peppermint oil vapor can be anti-inflammatory and pain relieving, so it can even be added to the postoperative oxygen, particularly after oral surgeries.
Nail Care
The antifungal properties of peppermint oil are well studied, and there is significant research that shows its topical application can reduce the chances of fungal nail infection, which affects many people around the world.
Relieves Spasms
Peppermint oil is very effective for gastroscopy, colonoscopy, and during a double-contrast barium enema, where it is applied intraluminally. Further benefits of peppermint oil that might stem from its antispasmodic properties are being studied.
Boosts Immunity
Peppermint oil can boost a person’s immunity to various diseases and is commonly employed by people with a weak immune system or who seem to frequently suffer from illness. Peppermint oil is also known to have powerful antiviral, antibacterial, and antifungal effects, which is why it is used in so many alternative treatments. It is composed of camphor, menthol, and carvacrol, which are resistant to certain dangerousbacterial strains like E. coli, salmonella, and staph infections.
