Health Benefits of Peppermint Oil: Physical, Mental, and Emotional Uses

The health benefits of peppermint oil range from aiding digestion to helping relieve pain. This article offers an overview of the most common benefits attributed to peppermint essential oil, along with a few starter blends. As always, consult a healthcare provider as appropriate.

Unless otherwise noted, information sources for the health benefits of peppermint oil are the following books:

1. The Heart of Aromatherapy
2. The Complete Book of Essential Oils and Aromatherapy
3. The Encyclopedia of Essential Oils (updated edition)
4. The Aromatherapy Companion (Shutes, 2022)
5. Aromatica: A Clinical Guide to Essential Oil Therapeutics, Volume 1

Physical Health Benefits of Peppermint Oil

Physically, peppermint restores and stimulates hypotonic/weak conditions and has affinities for the digestive, musculoskeletal, nervous, respiratory, vascular, and urinary systems.

Peppermint Essential Oil for Digestion

Peppermint supports digestion and may help deal with many digestive problems, including:

• Abdominal pain and cramping
• Abdominal bloating
• Gas with abdominal pain, flatulence
• Indigestion
• Irritable bowel syndrome
• Nausea
• Poor appetite
• Travel sickness and other stomach upsets

To use peppermint oil for gut health or to reduce gas, cramping, or nausea, make a massage oil using 1 to 3 drops in 1 teaspoon carrier oil. Massage the blend onto your abdomen.

Peppermint Essential Oil for Bloating

• 2 tablespoons carrier oil or unscented body lotion
• 3 drops peppermint
• 4 drops ginger essential oil

Blend ingredients in a small glass container. Use some of the blend to massage your abdomen and the arch of each foot.

Constipation Relief

• 2 tablespoons carrier oil
• 3 drops peppermint
• 3 drops lemon essential oil
• 4 drops rosemary essential oil

Blend ingredients in a small glass container. Massage some of the blend, several times a day, onto your lower back and abdomen in a clockwise direction.

Source: Essential Oils for Health

More essential oils for digestion.

Musculoskeletal System

You can use peppermint essential oil for pain relief in blends to help relieve conditions such as:

• Arthritis, rheumatism, and sore joints
• Bursitis
• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Fibromyalgia
• Menstrual cramps
• Muscle stiffness, tension, soreness, aches, and pains
• Plantar fasciitis
• Sciatica
• Strains and sprains
• Tendinitis

Leg and Foot Cramp Relief

• 2 tablespoons carrier oil
• 3 drops peppermint
• 3 drops rosemary essential oil
• 3 drops clary sage essential oil
• 6 drops lavender essential oil

Blend ingredients in a small glass container. Massage some of the blend directly over the cramping. Source: Essential Oils for Health

Also see Essential Oils for Muscle Pain Relief.

Nervous System

Peppermint can help relieve nerve pain, headaches and migraines, nervous stress, vertigo, and faintness.

To use peppermint essential oil for vertigo, make an aromatherapy inhaler (carry it with you if you are prone to vertigo) or place a drop on a tissue and inhale.

Dizziness Relief

• 2 tablespoons carrier oil
• 3 drops peppermint
• 3 drops rosemary essential oil
• 4 drops lavender essential oil

Blend ingredients in a small glass container. Massage some of the blend onto the forehead and temples and near the outer ear, making sure not to get too close to the eyes.

Nerve Pain Relief

• 2 tablespoons carrier oil
• 5 drops peppermint
• 5 drops lavender essential oil
• 5 drops frankincense essential oil

Blend ingredients in a small glass container. Massage some of the blend over the painful area. Or take a warm bath using 6 drops of the blend.

Source: Essential Oils for Health

Peppermint Essential Oil for Headaches and Migraines

To use peppermint oil for headaches, dilute the essential oil in a carrier oil and massage the back of your neck. Use peppermint alone or combine it with another headache-relieving essential oil, such as lavender, rosemary, or basil. Another option is to use peppermint in an inhaler or diffuser.

Diffuser Blend for Headaches

• 2 drops peppermint
• 2 drops palo santo essential oil
• 2 drops spearmint essential oil

Headache Relief Oil

• 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) jojoba oil
• 7 drops peppermint essential oil
• 5 drops frankincense essential oil
• 3 drops lemon essential oil
• One 1-ounce glass or PET plastic jar with screw top

Add jojoba oil to the jar. Drop in essential oils. Attach lid. Shake to mix.

To use, shake well. Rub a few drops on the back of your neck or shoulders at onset of a headache. Avoid direct use on the face and keep away from eyes. Wash hands after applying. Apply every 15 minutes for an hour.

Source: Essential Living

Respiratory System

Use peppermint to help relieve bronchitis, sinusitis, spasmodic cough, congestion, colds, and flu.

Peppermint Essential Oil for Congestion

For colds and congestion: When your head is stuffed and congested or you can't stop coughing, use steam with peppermint essential oil. Pour hot water into a metal or glass bowl, and then add one drop essential oil. Drape a towel over your head and position your face 10-12 inches above the bowl, as the heat permits.

Easy Breathing Oil

• 2 drops peppermint
• 2 drops eucalyptus essential oil
• 4 drops roman chamomile essential oil
• 4 drops spruce essential oil
• 1 tablespoon carrier oil

Blend ingredients in a small dark bottle. Rub a little of the blend on chest as needed.
Source: Floracopeia

Peppermint Essential Oil for Allergies

A blend of peppermint, lavender, and lemon essential oils may make allergies less problematic by reducing inflammation while supporting the immune system. Here's an allergy spray:

• 4-ounce dark-color glass spray bottle
• 4 ounces distilled or purified water
• 30 drops peppermint essential oil
• 30 drops lavender essential oil
• 30 drops lemon essential oil

Add the water to the spray bottle. Drop in the essential oils. Cap. Shake well.

To use: Shake well. Spray throughout indoor spaces where someone with allergies spends time. Repeat as several times a day.

Source: Essential Oils Natural Remedies

As an alternative, make a stock blend in a 5-ml bottle using only the essential oils. Diffuse a few drops according to your aromatherapy diffuser's instructions.

Vascular System

Peppermint helps improve blood circulation and lymphatic flow, according to Essential Oils to Boost the Brain & Heal the Body. Aromatics calls the oil a moderate arterial circulatory stimulant for cold conditions with poor circulation.

Emotional and Mental Health Benefits of Peppermint Oil

Psychologically, peppermint oil health benefits include promoting motivation, self-confidence, alertness, and emotional renewal. This uplifting and energizing oil focuses and sharpens the mind and is beneficial for relieving conditions such as:

• Anxiety
• Foggy thinking, confusion, cluttered mind
• Inability to focus or concentrate, distraction
• Indecision, apathy
• Low or sluggish energy, mental and emotional fatigue
• Memory problems
• Mental and emotional lethargy and inertia
• Mood swings
• Poor emotional insight and response
• Shock and trauma

You can address these issues by diffusing peppermint or using it in an aromatherapy inhaler.

Peppermint Essential Oil for Focus

Blend these essential oils in a small dark bottle:

• 8 drops peppermint
• 8 drops rosemary
• 6 drops basil
• 2 drops cardamom

Use as needed for concentration:

1. Diffuse a few drops according to your aromatherapy diffuser's instructions.
2. Dilute 2 to 3 drops in 1 teaspoon carrier oil and massage over your temples (avoiding the eyes) and on the back of your neck.

Source: Essential Oils to Boost the Brain & Heal the Body

Clear Brain Fog Diffuser Blend

Blend these essential oils:

• 3 drops peppermint
• 2 drops rosemary
• 2 drops ginger
• 4 drops geranium
• 6 drops lavender

Use according to your aromatherapy diffuser's instructions. Source: Essential Oils for Health.

See more essential oils for mental focus and clarity.

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