Peppermint has been lending its minty-fresh flavour to products like candy canes, ice cream and tea for thousands of years, but it’s staying power is about much more than taste. It’s got some medicinal value as well. The peppermint plant is a cross between spearmint and water mint, and its active ingredients are menthol, methyl acetate and menthone. While the peppermint leaves have their functions, the extracted peppermint oil boasts its own litany of capabilities.
Here’s the caveat, though. Most of peppermint oil’s rumoured abilities are purely anecdotal at this point. The truth is that the plant has been studied very little, although it does appear to be totally safe when used appropriately. For example, when taking peppermint oil by mouth or applying it to the skin, be sure to use it as directed, as too much can be irritating. Like most other foodstuffs or herbs, it’s also possible to have an allergic reaction to peppermint.
Eases Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) – IBS is an often frustrating, painful chronic problem, and it’s also one of the few ailments that peppermint oil has been studied for extensively. A meta-analysis published in the BMJ showed peppermint oil was more effective than placebos at relieving IBS symptoms because it helps the colon relax and reduces painful spasms. So, if IBS is something you struggle with, perhaps a capsule or two a day (or whatever the bottle suggests) can bring some much-needed relief. Incidentally, peppermint oil is also helpful in easing other colon-related problems, such as Crohn’s disease, diverticulitis and diarrhea.
Fights Cancer – In the battle against cancer, we need all the help we can get. A 2009 study discovered that menthol causes cell death in prostate cancer. However, far from being declared a cancer cure-all, essential oils like peppermint oil remain interesting for researchers looking for plantbased solutions.
Keeps Head Lice Away – If reading about head lice causes you to feel itchy, chances are you’d like to do whatever you can to avoid the scourge. Some lice experts recommend preventing an infestation by masking the human scent, which lice love, with other strong aromas, like that of peppermint oil. Unfortunately, there’s no research to back that up, as existing studies only involve other types of oil, such as eucalyptus. However, it seems that it should work, following the logic of other strong scents warding off lice. At the very least, you’ll smell nice and minty.
Repels Pests – Peppermint leaves are a known natural ant repellent (some people even put peppermint plants in the ground in problematic spots). However, many gardeners turn to a diluted peppermint oil spray to keep these and other pests at antenna’s length. Added bonus: Mice hate the scent, too!
Freshens Breath – There’s a reason most toothpastes have a minty taste, apart from it being a pleasant sensation. Peppermint’s antibacterial properties kill the germs that cause dental plaque, which may improve breath.
Relieves Headaches – A few drops of peppermint oil combined with a carrier oil for dilution purposes (like coconut oil) is often all it takes to relieve that bothersome headache. A 1996 German study showed that using an ethanol solution with 10 per cent peppermint oil was just as effective as 1,000 mg of acetaminophen. So, if you wish to avoid standard pain relievers the next time your head starts pounding, apply a few drops of peppermint oil to the temples, forehead and back of the neck. Be sure not to use too much, as peppermint essential oils are extremely concentrated and can cause skin irritation.
Stops Itching – A couple of small studies indicate that peppermint oil can relieve itching. In one study, pregnant women with itch-related woes were given 0.5 per cent peppermint oil mixed with sesame oil. They achieved better relief than their counterparts’ using placebos. This is good news, as many women strive to avoid medications or chemical-containing options during gestation.
Helps With Good Hair Days – If you have dandruff or precariously thinning hair, a couple of drops of peppermint oil added to shampoo can help turn things around. Again, hard evidence is elusive, but a 2014 animal study saw mice enjoy fluffier coats following a 3 per cent peppermint oil application (it even worked better than an application of hair growth medication minoxidil in the study). Menthol (the active ingredient in peppermint oil) is a major ingredient in many dandruff shampoos already.