what is peppermint oil good for

Peppermint oil is promoted for topical use (applied to the skin) for problems like headache, muscle aches, joint pain, and itching. In aromatherapy, peppermint oil is promoted for treating coughs and colds, reducing pain, improving mental function, and reducing stress.

What do you use peppermint essential oil for?

20 Practical Uses For Peppermint Oil

Soothe A Headache. Dab a drop or two of peppermint oil over your temples, neck, and sinuses to help ease the pain of a stubborn headache! ...
Treat Allergy Symptoms. ...
Boost Productivity. ...
Increase Energy. ...
Stay Alert While Driving. ...
Relieve A Toothache. ...
Control Trash Odor. ...
Ease Constipation.

How do I use peppermint oil?

Some people use peppermint essential oil in aromatherapy, applying diluted peppermint oil to the skin in a carrier oil or inhaling it through steam or a diffuser. Food and drink manufacturers also use very small amounts of peppermint extract to add flavor to products.

What does peppermint oil kill?

Not only is peppermint oil a natural cockroach repellent—it's also toxic to roaches (and for the record, to bed bugs, too). The same Auburn University study found that mint oil killed both German and American cockroaches when they came into contact with it for an extended period.

Is peppermint oil good for pain?

Use these oils for pain, tension, and swelling

Peppermint oil. Peppermint contains menthol, which has a cooling effect on sore, achy muscles. It also has analgesic, antispasmodic, and anti-inflammatory properties.

What are the side effects of peppermint oil?

Possible side effects of peppermint oil taken orally include heartburn, nausea, abdominal pain, and dry mouth. Rarely, peppermint oil can cause allergic reactions. Capsules containing peppermint oil are often enteric-coated to reduce the likelihood of heartburn.

Does peppermint oil make you sleepy?

The menthol component of peppermint causes your muscles to relax, relieving stress and anxiety, which both add up to allowing you to gain more restful sleep.

Do you have to wash peppermint oil out your hair?

Massage the oil into your scalp. You may feel a tingling, minty sensation. Leave the treatment on for 15 to 20 minutes and then wash your hair with shampoo. If the menthol sensation gets too intense for you, add other oils to balance the effect or wash your scalp with shampoo immediately.

Does peppermint oil make your hair grow?

Peppermint oil can cause a cold, tingling feeling when it increases circulation to the area it's applied to. This can help promote hair growth during the anagen (or growing) phase. One study found that peppermint oil, when used on mice, increased the number of follicles, follicle depth, and overall hair growth.

How do you use peppermint oil for bugs?

Try mixing a few drops of peppermint oil with some hot water and place it in a spray bottle. A good ratio is 5 to 10 drops of essential oil per ounce of water. Use the mixture to spray down countertops, furniture, curtains and blinds and hard-to-reach areas of the home where insects are often present.

What happens if you inhale too much peppermint oil?

Too much peppermint oil can mess with how your body digests vitamins, minerals, and medicines. Very high doses can be toxic, and even cause kidney failure.

What bugs are attracted to peppermint oil?

Peppermint is a great natural repellent to ants, aphids, bed bugs, boxelder bugs, cockroaches, fleas, fruit flies, gnats, head lice, moths, spiders, stink bugs, and wasps.

Does peppermint oil kill cockroaches?

Research has found that some essential oils—especially peppermint oil—are effective at repelling roaches. ... To repel roaches, try mixing two parts water with one part white vinegar and 10 drops of peppermint oil to a spray bottle, and spritz it around the affected areas of your apartment.

Can inhaling peppermint oil be harmful?

There are calcium channels in cell membranes throughout our bodies, and that is why we can see systemic toxicity after swallowing or inhaling concentrated amounts of menthol. Serious effects include seizures, coma, and death. Menthol can cause eye and skin irritation.

Does peppermint oil relieve gas?

Several studies suggest that enteric-coated peppermint oil capsules -- which allow the oil to pass through the stomach so it can dissolve in the intestines -- may help relieve common symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome such as abdominal pain, bloating, and gas.

Is peppermint oil good for your skin?

And peppermint oil can be a true skin saver if used properly. "Peppermint oil naturally cleanses the skin and has antiseptic and antibacterial properties. It has a cooling effect which soothes irritation and inflammation due to acne," said Dr.

Can peppermint oil make you sick?

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 should I take peppermint oil?

The usual dose is one or two capsules taken three times each day. If possible, take the capsules about an hour or so before meals - you should not take them straight after food. Swallow the capsules with a drink of water. Do not open or chew the capsules.

Is Peppermint a laxative?

Peppermint tea

The soothing effect of the menthol in peppermint may help to relax an upset stomach while moving stool through the intestines. Drinking a cup of peppermint tea after each meal may benefit people who experience constipation and an upset stomach.

Is peppermint essential oil good for sleeping?

(2017) regarding the effects of aromatherapy on insomnia, the results showed that peppermint essential oil had positive effects on improving insomnia. On the other hand, a study has indicated that aromatherapy with peppermint could be potentially effective in improving sleep quality (Lillehei & Halcon, 2014).

Does peppermint oil kill insects?

Not only does peppermint oil repel ants, it also repels spiders. In fact, peppermint keeps most pests away, including aphids, beetles, caterpillars, fleas, flies, lice, mice and moths.