Peppermint essential oil: Virtues and Uses
Summary of recipes
What are the benefits of peppermint essential oil?
Peppermint essential oil, also known as Mentha x Piperita or Peppermint, has many properties and can meet many needs in your daily life. It’s important to know that this essential oil contains between 30% and 40% menthol. This component is known for its antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, respiratory decongestant, digestive, anti-acinar and antiemetic properties, which makes it a particularly effective essential oil against digestive disorders like indigestion, vomiting, nausea, motion sickness and acid reflux, along with coughs, sinusitis, colds and fungal infections.
It is also invigorating for the body and mind, and helps to fight against hair loss. Its antispasmodic and analgesic properties allow it to soothe pain, such as headaches, migraines, neuralgia, shocks and joint or muscle trauma, tendonitis, sciatica, rheumatism, arthritis or gout attacks, sprains, contusions, muscle cramps, shingles, and cold sores. It also soothes itching, whatever its cause.
- Antibacterial: eliminates bacteria and prevents them from growing or multiplying
- Antiviral: eliminates viruses and prevents them from growing or multiplying
- Antifungal: treats infections caused by microscopic fungi or yeasts, including mycosis
- Antiemetic : acts against vomiting and nausea
- Anti-mite / anti-parasitic: helps eliminate mites and parasites
- Antispasmodic: relieves and prevents involuntary muscle contractions
- Analgesic: reduces or eliminates pain without treating the cause
How to use peppermint essential oil?
Peppermint essential oil can be irritating to the skin, so it is important to dilute it in a neutral vegetable oil like Sweet Almond, Macadamia or Jojoba when applying it to the body, whether the intended area is large or small.
It is also preferable to dilute peppermint essential oil in one or more essential oils for diffusion. However, if you wish to benefit fully from its properties, respect the maximum of 5 minutes of pure diffusion in a gentle heat diffuser. Do not diffuse this essential oil in the presence of children. If a child is likely to enter the diffusion room, make sure to stop the diffusion at least 30 minutes beforehand.
Methods of application:
- Skin application, massage
- Bath
- Inhalation (dry or wet)
- Diffusion (Limited to 5 minutes with a gentle heat diffuser - beware of ketones and menthol)
If using the cutaneous (topical) route, use 1 or 2 drops maximum on the skin. The essential oil provides a cooling effect. Wash your hands immediately after use to avoid getting it in your eyes.
Always ask your pharmacist for advice before use.
Always keep your essential oils away from light and heat – store them between 5 and 30°C, if possible.
Peppermint essential oil sets into crystals at low temperatures. However, this does not affect the quality of the essential oil, which returns to its liquid form as soon as it is at room temperature.
What are the contraindications of peppermint?
Peppermint essential oil should not be used by pregnant or breastfeeding women or by children under 7 years of age.
If you have asthma or allergies, always seek the advice of an allergist or your GP before using.
People with epilepsy or a history of seizure disorders should not use this essential oil.
In case of heart problems such as hypertension or arrhythmia, ask a health professional before using.
For people undergoing medical treatment or suffering from a chronic illness, never use this essential oil without consulting a health specialist first.
What are the dangers of misusing peppermint?
The main risks of peppermint essential oil, if misused, are:
Irritation of the skin when used pure. Always dilute with a vegetable oil or an appropriate base, especially if the application covers a large area.
An extensive application of a large quantity of peppermint directly on the skin can cause an intense cold effect, particularly in periods of high heat (thermal shock).
In case of overdose, history of convulsion or epilepsy, pregnancy, breastfeeding and in children under 7 years of age, whatever the route of administration (especially orally), it may cause convulsive or epileptic seizures.
Peppermint essential oil is rich in menthol, and if not used with care, it may accelerate the heart in people with cardiac arrhythmia or high blood pressure.
In case of misuse of or an accident (overdose, accidental massive ingestion) involving peppermint essential oil, you may feel discomfort of varying intensity which can be serious (vomiting, convulsions) depending on the misuse.
If you have the slightest doubt, call A&E or the poison control center for rapid medical attention.
How to relieve headaches, migraines and headaches with peppermint?
Thanks to its antispasmodic and highly analgesic properties, Peppermint will be your best friend in reducing headache pain naturally.
The causes of headaches are varied, and most are harmless. The two main causes are tension and migraine.
A tension headache usually causes prolonged headaches at the end of the day as it is often related to stress, fatigue or psychological tension. The headaches may be accompanied by a feeling of heavy head, anxiety or contracted neck muscles.
Migraine is more intense and presents itself in attacks. The pain is localised and pulsating (throbbing), either on one side of the head, at one temple or over one eye. The pain may be exaggerated by movement, light or noise, requiring isolation in a dark, quiet room. In both children and adults, digestive symptoms may occur causing nausea or vomiting, too.
Migraines are generally linked to a genetic predisposition such as heredity, vulnerability to a health problem, or an environment.
Diluted use:
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Headaches  |
The cutaneous method:
Add 1 drop of Peppermint, True Lavender and Rosemary Cineole essential oil to 4 drops of Macadamia or Jojoba vegetable oil and mix. Apply a dab of the mixture, point by point, to the frontal sinuses, temples, nape of the neck, and to the base of the shoulders. Repeat the application 3 times, at 5 minute intervals, and then 3 times a day if necessary. OR Pour 1 drop of Peppermint essential oil into 2 drops of Apricot Kernel vegetable oil. Gently massage the mixture into the temples, making small circles with your fingertips. Press the inner edge of the eyebrows with your thumbs and smooth them outwards.. OR Add 1 drop of Peppermint essential oil diluted in 1 drop of Jojoba vegetable oil to the temples (away from the eyes) and the frontal sinuses. Try it 3 to 4 times a day, until the pain disappears. |
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Migraine
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The cutaneous method: Massage the frontal sinuses with 1 drop of Wintergreen essential oil and 1 drop of Peppermint essential oil mixed together. |
Can you reduce digestive disorders naturally?
The antibacterial, antispasmodic and anti-inflammatory properties of Peppermint essential oil act as a local analgesic. You can treat digestive infections such as acute gastroenteritis or digestive colic, and relieve digestive disorders such as heartburn, bloating and indigestion.
Bloating - abdominal spasms |
Dilute 1 drop of Peppermint essential oil in 1 teaspoon of Macadamia or Sweet Almond vegetable oil. Apply the mixture using a circular motion on the stomach, morning, noon and evening, depending on the pain level. |
Difficult digestion |
Mix 1 drop of Basil essential oil and 1 drop of Peppermint essential oil in 10 drops of Sweet Almond vegetable oil. Massage the stomach with this mixture twice a day, to soothe digestive disorders. |
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Digestive colic (contractions) |
Intestinal colic is characterized by acute abdominal pain, most often followed by diarrhea. For a soothing massage: Pour 15 drops of Tarragon essential oil, 5 drops of Peppermint essential oil and 10 drops of Myrtle essential oil into 20 drops of Apricot Kernel vegetable oil. Massage the stomach clockwise with 8 to 10 drops each time, 6-8 times a day as needed.. |
If you want to use essential oils other than peppermint, we have written a dedicated article on digestive disorders. Take a look to find a recipe that best suits your needs..
How to get over nausea and avoid motion sickness?
Motion sickness occurs when your eyes register movement, while your inner ear perceives that your body is not moving. It is characterised by a series of symptoms, including nausea and dizziness that occur during a boat, plane or car trip. Peppermint is ideal for preventing and relieving nausea during a journey. Its anti-nausea properties and anti-emetic power help to calm the urge to vomit.
Pure use:
To combat nausea, vomiting and motion sickness: Add 2 drops of Peppermint essential oil to a handkerchief and inhale deeply. From 7 years+.
Diluted use:
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Motion sickness |
Take a deep breath directly from the bottle of Peppermint essential oil. If this is not enough, take a drop of essential oil and dab it on the base of your nose. |
Can peppermint be used to strengthen hair and combat hair loss?
Peppermint essential oil has long been used as a remedy for hair loss, probably due to the menthol it contains. Menthol is a vasodilator, which means that it dilates the blood vessels and therefore improves blood circulation.
Although it is highly hereditary, hair loss (such as baldness) can also be caused by a lack of blood flow to the hair follicles. When there is not enough blood flowing through your scalp, your hair roots do not receive enough nutrients to support the hair in the follicle.
Increasing circulation with a vasodilator such as Peppermint could potentially improve hair growth and regrowth, thus preventing hair loss.
It is important to know that peppermint scented products do not achieve the same results as they do not contain enough menthol to have a therapeutic effect, unlike the essential oil which is distilled to contain the highest possible level of menthol.
These synergies are recommended by Dr. Franck Gigon, nutritionist and phytotherapist.
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Hair loss & alopecia  |
Scalp massage: Scalp massage: Mix 10 drops of True Lavender essential oil, 3 drops of Atlas Cedar essential oil, 10 drops of Rosemary essential oil and 3 drops of Peppermint essential oil with 30ml of Argan or Jojoba vegetable oil and 5ml of Castor oil. Apply the equivalent of a tablespoon in a gentle circular massage (clockwise) of the scalp. Leave on for 5 minutes then wash your hair. Repeat four times a week for three months. |
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Hair growth & reproduction |
Scalp massage: Mix 30 drops of True Lavender essential oil and 3 drops of Peppermint essential oil with 30ml of Argan or Prickly Pear vegetable oil and 5ml of Ricin vegetable oil. Apply the equivalent of a tablespoon in a circular massage of the scalp. Leave on for 5 minutes and then wash your hair. Repeat twice a week for 3 months. |
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Scalp and hair fibre mask |
Mix 1 drop of fresh Ginger essential oil, 1 drop of Ylang-Ylang or Atlas Cedar essential oil, 1 drop of Peppermint essential oil and 1 hazelnut-sized blob of Shea Butter into 2 tablespoons of Coconut vegetable oil. Apply the mix to the scalp and hair. Leave on for 5 minutes, then wash hair twice. Repeat once a week. Ylang-Ylang essential oil should not be used if you are allergic to aspirin or salicylates. Fresh Ginger essential oil should not be used in case of blood-thinning treatment. |
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Vitality and shine shampoo for dull hair |
In a 150ml bottle of a gentle organic shampoo: mix 2 drops of Atlas Cedar essential oil, 2 drops of fresh Ginger essential oil, 2 drops of Ylang-Ylang essential oil and 1 drop of Peppermint essential oil. |
How to soothe an itchy scalp?
If you experience itching, dryness or other scalp problems, Peppermint essential oil can help you, thanks to its cleansing properties.
These synergies are recommended by Dr. Franck Gigon, nutritionist and phytotherapist.
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Localised itching of the scalp |
Mix 1 drop of Tea Tree essential oil and 1 drop of Peppermint essential oil with 10 drops of St. John's Wort vegetable oil (or Black Seed oil, especially during periods of sun exposure). |
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Sanitation of an oily or irritated scalp and oily hair |
Shampoo Mix 1 drop of Rosemary essential oil and 1 drop of Peppermint essential oil into your usual amount of shampoo. Wash your hair and leave on for 1 minute, then rinse. Repeat twice a week. |
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Anti-Dandruff Shampoo |
Mix 1 drop of Lemongrass essential oil and 1 drop of Peppermint essential oil into your usual amount of shampoo. Wash your hair and leave on for 1 minute, rinse. Repeat twice a week. |
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Dandruff* or redness of the scalp, dryness & discomfort |
Mix 1 drop of Atlas Cedar essential oil, 1 drop of Lavandin Super essential oil and 1 drop of Peppermint essential oil into 15ml of Hemp vegetable oil and 15ml of Sweet Almond vegetable oil. Apply approximately one tablespoon of the mix to the scalp. Leave on for 5 minutes and then wash your hair. Repeat once or twice a week. |
If you want to use essential oils other than peppermint, we have written a dedicated article on hair health. Take a look to find a recipe that best suits your needs.
How to soothe and relieve painful periods naturally?
Peppermint essential oil is not recommended for period-related pain. However, its antispasmodic and analgesic properties will help to reduce headaches and digestive problems associated with menstruation. Its invigorating action will help to stimulate your energy to help you during this period, which can be emotionally and physically tiring.
We advise you to read our article dedicated to female menstruation. There you will find recipes and massages to naturally reduce period pain.
Disclaimer: This article is intended as a guide only and is not intended to replace the advice of a physician, pharmacist or other health care professional.
For any therapeutic use, consult a doctor or a pharmacist. Refer carefully to the contraindications and precautions for use of each essential oil. In case of doubt, consult a health professional.
Sources : Extracts from the books "Aromatherapia, tout sur les huiles essentielles" and "HUILES ESSENTIELLES, HUILES VÉGÉTALES & HYDROLATS : Mes indispensables", by Isabelle Pacchioni, published by Aroma Thera..
Some of the recipes were designed by Dr. Franck Gigon, a nutritionist and phytotherapist.
