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Peppermint

Mentha x piperita Lamiaceae

the mint family

Peppermint is a natural cross between water mint and spearmint.  The oil is distilled form the leaves of the plant. 

Top Uses

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IRS)

Taken by mouth in enteric coated capsules, inhale, or topically.  A 2026 meta-analysis of seven trials found peppermint oil improved overall IBS symptoms better than placebo with a good safety record.

Tension headaches

On the skin, as a 10 percent peppermint oil solution in ethanol or inhaled.  Controlled studies found it significantly more effective than placebo, with an effect comparable to aspirin or acetaminophen.  This solution is a licensed treatment for tension-type headache in adults and children over 6.

Nausea after chemotherapy

Taken by mouth, inhaled, or topically.  Controlled studies support peppermint oil for functional dyspepsia.  The strongest evidence is for enteric coated capsules that pair with caraway oil, a combination approved in Germany for indigestion.

Nausea after surgery

Inhale or topically.  Studies report it eases nausea severity shortly after surgery, but pooled analysis of four trials found no clear advantage over placebo.  Patients liked it more than the placebo. (Mixed results.)

Painful periods (primary dysmenorrhea)

Topically, inhale, or ingest.  A 2026 research review reports preliminary evidence that peppermint oil eases painful periods.  (Early stage research, few trials.)

Childhood functional abdominal pain

Topically or inhaled.  Controlled studies support peppermint oil for ongoing abdominal pain in children.  A newer trial in children with IBS found no advantage over placebo.  (Mixed results.)

Nipple injuries while breastfeeding

Topically as a water-based solution or gel or inhale.  A 2026 systematic review of breastfeeding care found peppermint among the methods that helped prevent nipple injuries.

Spasms during digestive procedures

Internally.  During colonoscopy and similar procedures, doctors apply a diluted peppermint oil solution inside the bowel to salm spasms and improve the view.  This is done by the doctor during the procedure.

Mental Sharpness

Inhale or topically.  A review reports that inhaling peppermint oil improved attention, memory, and mood in adult volunteers in small studies.  (Limited research.)

At a Glance

How it is made

Distilled from the leaves.  The herb is cut around flowering time, when the oil content is at its peak.  Water distillation (hydro-distillation) is the most common method.  Dry steam distillation and supercritical CO2 extraction are also used.

Where is it sourced

Native to Europe and the Middle East.  Now grown worldwide.  Major producers include the United States (Oregon and Washington), India, China, France, and Italy.

Main constituents

Menthol and menthone lead.  A published review reports menthol at 26 to 48 percent and menthone at 14 to 32 percent of the oil, with smaller amounts of menthofuran, 1,8-cineole and limonene.

Top properties

Cooling and refreshing, from its high menthol content.  Research reviews list muscle calming (antispasmodic), pain easing, anti-in-flammatory and antimicrobial activity.

Safety note

On the skin it can cause rash and irritation, so dilute first with a carrier oil first.  By mouth, it can cause heartburn, but some say it helps thier heartburn.  Do not apply it near the face of infants or young children, since inhaling menthol can affect their breathing.  It can worsen acid reflux.  Little is known about medicinal amounts in pregnancy.  Talk to your provider first if you take medicines, because peppermint oil may slow how the body breaks down some of them.  Keep away from pets: essential oil poisoning can affect all species and cats and birds are at the greatest risk.

Sources

  1. Jaiswal S, Shukla R, Kishore AKD. A Comprehensive Review on Menta piperita:  Botany, Phytochemistry, Pharmacology, Clinical Applications, and Safety.  IJSDR, 2026 (https://ijsdr.org/papers/IJSDR2605127.pdf

  2. Gobel H, et al. Peppermint oil in the acute treatment of tension-type headache.  Schmerz, 2016. PMID 27106030

  3. Chumpitazi, BP, Kearns GL, Shulman RJ. The physiological effects and safety of peppermint oil.  Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics, 2018.  PMID 29372567

  4. Meyer, A et al. Plant-based Therapy for Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.  Phytotherapy Research, 2026.  PMID 42572206

  5. Ahn JH, Kim M, Kim RW. Effects of aromatherapy on nausea and vomiting in patients with cancer.  Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, 2024.  PMID 38330531

  6. Jin K, Yan S, Xu L. Essential oil-based interventions for chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting in women with breast cancer.  Frontiers in Medicine, 2026.  PMID 42564042

  7. Mo L, et al. Peppermint oil in menstrual disorders and menopausal symptoms:  a research progress review.  Frontiers in Endocrinology, 2026.  PMID 42558241

  8. Chagas A, et al. Effective Interventions to Prevent Breastfeeding-related Nipple-Areolar Lesions:  A Systematic Review.  IJERPH, 2026.  PMID 41752271

  9. KPU Plant Database, Menth x piperita.  https://plantdatabase.kpu.ca/Plant/mepi

  10. Leva N, Gal E. Impact of Extraction Scale and Method on the Chemical Profile of Essential Oils.  Molecules, 2026.  PMID 4235703

  11. Pet Poison Helpline, Essential Oils.  https://www.petpoisonhelpline.com/uncategorized/essential-oils/

  12. NCCIH, Peppermint Oil:  Usefulness and Safety (used for safety checks only).  https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/peppermint-oil

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