Peppermint oil isn't just a popular fragrance for candy, tea, gum and toothpaste--it also has medicinal uses. With the botanical name Mentha piperita, peppermint oil can be taken orally or applied topically to relieve various health problems. The University of Maryland Medical Center recommends taking herbal remedies only with the supervision of a health care provider.
Peppermint Oil Uses
Peppermint oil can be taken in oral preparations to relieve digestive problems, according to the UMMC, including indigestion, nausea, gas and diarrhea. Some women take peppermint for relieving menstrual cramps, and applying it to the forehead may relieve headache pain. Peppermint and its main active component, menthol, are effective decongestants, and are included in commercial chest rubs and other cold remedies. It also may be beneficial for treating certain types of skin problems, including minor wounds.
Skin Condition Benefits
When used topically, peppermint and menthol creams and ointments have a soothing and numbing effect on skin irritations such as hives and poison ivy or poison oak rash. Applying peppermint essential oil immediately to a bruise can relieve pain. In addition to its analgesic activity, peppermint oil has antibacterial and antiviral activity in test tubes, according to the UMMC. This is an added benefit for treating cuts and other minor wounds.
Peppermint and Breastfeeding
A study published in the April 19, 2007 issue of the "International Breastfeeding Journal" found that topical peppermint water, made from peppermint essential oil, was more effective than expressed breast milk at preventing nipple cracks in breastfeeding women. Nine percent of women receiving peppermint water treatment developed nipple and areola cracks, while 27 percent of the women using expressed breast milk did.
Application
For treating minor wounds, apply peppermint essential oil around, but not on, the open wound area, advises the Physicians' Desktop Reference. Do not apply peppermint essential oil to the face. In addition, do not apply any peppermint or menthol product, such as ointment or a rub, to the face of children under age 12. This may cause serious breathing difficulty, particularly in babies.
Considerations
Although peppermint oil may be beneficial for eliminating bacteria around a wound, it can cause skin irritation that may make other healing solutions more preferable. Peppermint oil is associated with skin reactions including rash, hives and contact dermatitis, according to the U.S. National Institutes of Health at its MedlinePlus website. Topical peppermint oil also can cause an allergic reaction in some people.
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