• A long-term disorder of the large intestines that causes stomach pain (irritable bowel syndrome or IBS). Most research shows that taking peppermint oil by mouth reduces stomach pain, bloating, gas, and bowel movements in people with IBS. Most trials have used specific peppermint oil products (Colpermin by Tillotts Pharma; Mintoil by Cadigroup; IBgard by IM HealthScience, Tempocol).

Possibly Effective for

• Relaxing the colon during a barium enema examination. Using peppermint oil as an ingredient in enemas seems to relax the colon during barium enema examinations. Also, taking peppermint oil by mouth before the start of a barium enema seems to decrease spasms.
• Hard, painful breasts in breast-feeding women. Research shows that breastfeeding women who apply peppermint oil in gel, cream, or water to their skin have less cracked skin and pain in the nipple area.
• Indigestion (dyspepsia). Taking a specific product containing peppermint oil and caraway oil (Enteroplant or Menthacarin by Dr Willmar Schwabe Pharmaceuticals) by mouth seems to reduce feelings of fullness, discomfort, pain, and stomach spasms. It also appears to improve quality of life. Another specific combination product containing peppermint (Iberogast by Steigerwald Arzneimittelwerk GmbH) also seems to improve symptoms of heartburn, including severity of acid reflux, stomach pain, cramping, nausea, and vomiting. The combination includes peppermint leaf plus clown's mustard plant, German chamomile, caraway, licorice, milk thistle, angelica, celandine, and lemon balm. Another similar combination product containing peppermint leaf, clown's mustard, German chamomile, caraway, licorice, and lemon balm (STW 5-II by Steigerwald Arzneimittelwerk GmbH) also seems to help. However, peppermint oil does not seem to help indigestion when taken as a single ingredient after surgery.
• Spasms caused by a certain procedure (endoscopy) used to view the inside of the body. Research shows that peppermint oil can reduce spasms in people having an endoscopy. Some research also shows that peppermint oil can reduce pain during this procedure.
• Bed sores (pressure ulcers). Research shows that applying a gel containing peppermint oil can prevent bed sores in people who must stay in bed for at least 2 weeks due to head trauma.
• Tension headache. Applying peppermint oil to the skin seems to help relieve tension headaches.

Insufficient Evidence for

• Anxiety. Early research shows that inhaling peppermint oil does not reduce anxiety before getting a catheter placed in the body.
• Hot flashes in people treated for breast cancer. Early research shows that a combination spray containing peppermint and other ingredients does not relieve hot flashes in most women receiving chemotherapy treatments for breast cancer.
• Nausea and vomiting caused by cancer drug treatment. Early research shows that inhaling peppermint oil reduces nausea caused by cancer drug treatment by a small amount.
• Memory and thinking skills (cognitive function). Early research shows that inhaling peppermint oil slightly improves memory and performance on mental tasks, but does not improve attention and speed of completing tasks.
• Tooth plaque. Early research shows that rinsing with a solution containing peppermint powder and other ingredients reduces plaque compared to a water solution. However, it doesn't work better than a solution containing chlorhexidine.
• Spasm in the esophagus. Early research shows that drinking water containing five drops of peppermint oil stops spasms in the esophagus.
• Bad breath. Early research shows that a specific combination of tea tree oil, peppermint, and lemon oil can improve breath smell when used for 3 minutes.
• Swelling (inflammation) and sores inside the mouth (oral mucositis). Early research shows that rinsing the mouth with a combination of peppermint oil and German chamomile might decrease how severe mouth ulcers are and how long they last in patients undergoing a stem cell transplant. Also, rinsing the mouth with a combination of peppermint, sage, and thyme might delay how long it takes to get mouth ulcers after receiving chemotherapy with a drug called 5-fluorouracil.
• Pain . Early research shows that inhaling peppermint oil reduces pain by a small amount in people getting a catheter placed in the body.
• Nausea and vomiting after surgery. Some early research shows that inhaling peppermint oil might relieve nausea after surgery. However, other research shows that inhaling peppermint oil does is not more effective than inhaling alcohol or saline. It's possible that any nausea relief seen with peppermint aromatherapy is due to improved breathing patterns rather than peppermint oil itself.
• Itching. Early research shows that applying peppermint oil to the skin twice a day for 2 weeks decreases itching in patients with itching related to kidney disease, liver disease, or diabetes. Also, applying a gel containing peppermint oil, menthol, and methyl salicylate decreases itching in people with burn scars. Early research also shows that applying oil containing 0.5% peppermint oil can reduce the severity of itchy skin in women with pregnancy-related itching.

WARNINGS:

Side Effects & Safety

When taken by mouth: Peppermint and peppermint oil are LIKELY SAFE when taken by mouth. The peppermint leaf is POSSIBLY SAFE when taken by mouth, short-term. The safety of using peppermint leaf for longer than 8 weeks is unknown. Peppermint can cause some side effects including heartburn, dry mouth, nausea, and vomiting.

When applied to the skin: Peppermint and peppermint oil are LIKELY SAFE when applied to the skin.

When given as an enema (rectally): Peppermint and peppermint oil are LIKELY SAFE when used rectally.

When inhaled: Peppermint oil is POSSIBLY SAFE when inhaled as part of aromatherapy.

Special Precautions & Warnings:

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: It is LIKELY SAFE to take peppermint in amounts normally found in food during pregnancy and breast-feeding. However, not enough is known about the safety of taking larger amounts used for medicine. It's best not to take these larger amounts if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.

Children and infants: Peppermint is LIKELY SAFE when taken by mouth in amounts found in foods. Peppermint oil is POSSIBLY SAFE in children 8 years of age and older when taken by mouth in pills with a special (enteric) coating to prevent contact with the stomach.

A stomach condition in which the stomach is not producing hydrochloric acid (achlorhydria): Don't use enteric-coated peppermint oil if you have this condition. The enteric coating might dissolve too early in the digestive process.

Diarrhea: Taking enteric-coated peppermint oil could cause anal burning if you experience diarrhea.

VALENCIA FRAGRANCE CO IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY MISUSE OR MISDIAGNOSIS OF THIS OR ANY OTHER PRODUCT ON THIS WEBSITE. USE AT YOUR OWN DISCRETION.