Research has found that peppermint essential oil inhalation significantly reduces anxiety of patients with heart attacks in the emergency department. Peppermint oil can also be diffused to reduce stress and anxiety, says both Bhalsod and Anderson-Haynes. Researchers have also found that peppermint oil is the most effective in killing what is called anaerobic bacteria (bacteria that thrive in a low-oxygen environment) such as the bacteria that causes gum disease. One study found that peppermint oil can act as an antiseptic solution against oral pathogens. Peppermint oil can benefit oral health, says Bhalsod. Another study found peppermint oil benefits focus, improves the ability to perform cognitive tasks, and reduces mental fatigue. One study found that peppermint oil enhanced memory and increased alertness. Peppermint oil can also be diffused to improve mental clarity, says Anderson-Haynes, and the scientific research supports this, too. One small study found that peppermint oil can also have a positive effect on exercise performance via the relaxation of airway muscles, increase in ventilation and brain oxygen concentration, and decrease the blood lactate level. The essential oil also has anti-inflammatory properties. Peppermint contains menthol, which has a cooling effect on sore, achy muscles. Peppermint oil can also be used to “massage muscles to aid in recovery from strenuous exercise and may reduce joint pain,” says Anderson-Haynes. One study found that a topical gel with 6% menthol decreased pain intensity after two hours. Plus, about 44% of peppermint is menthol, which has been shown to lessen the intensity of acute migraines. Research has found peppermint oil can increase blood flow and relax muscles in the forehead. Peppermint oil can be diffused to soothe headaches, says Sue-Ellen Anderson-Haynes, M.S., R.D.N., registered dietitian and national spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Note: Peppermint oil is available in enteric-coated capsules designed to release the oil in the small intestine, where it’s most effective, says Bhalsod. More specifically, this study showed that peppermint oil can help relax the muscles of the intestinal tract, which in turn helps to relieve stomach cramps, bloating and farting, and diarrhea, says Andrew Boxer, M.D., gastroenterologist of Gastroenterology Associates of New Jersey. “One study that included 12 randomized trials with 835 patients found peppermint oil to be a safe and effective therapy for pain and global symptoms in adults with IBS,” she says. There is research to support that it may help reduce symptoms of IBS (irritable bowel syndrome), says Gans. “Peppermint may also be added to a care plan to support the breaking down of food and stomach acid production,” she adds. Generally, it can be used to provide relief from indigestion and reduce bloating by helping to relax muscles in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, she explains. ![]() The main benefit or use of peppermint oil is its digestive support properties, says Sapna Bhalsod, R.D.
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