How to Use Peppermint Essential Oil

Peppermint essential oil is widely used in aromatherapy, cosmetics, and even culinary applications. The cooling, tingly flavor and sensation of peppermint is appealing and soothing in many aspects. Peppermint essential oil is generally is Generally Accepted As Safe (GRAS) however, there are some safety considerations when using peppermint essential oil.

How to Use Peppermint Essential Oil

Healthy adults can ingest peppermint essential oil in diluted amounts, such as what you would find in a peppermint candy. However, people with some medical conditions should avoid peppermint, even in candies; conditions include–but are not limited to–atrial fibrilation, GERD, and G6PD deficiency. Do not eat peppermint if you are on antimalarials, sulfonamides, chloramphenicol, streptomycin, and aspirin.  If you are on medication and/or have a health condition, consult your physician about interactions and contraindications with peppermint oil and extracts. Those with atrial fibrillations should avoid peppermint in diffusers, foods, and even topical applications.

The daily therapeutic internal dose of peppermint essential oil for a healthy adult human male should not exceed 152 mg. Do not take peppermint essential oil (or any essential oils) for therapeutic purposes unless under the supervision of a certified medical aromatherapist or other qualified healthcare professional.

Tips:

• Store your essential oil in dark glass and keep away from light and heat.

• Buy oil that is as fresh as possible. Ask your supplier for expiration and shelf-life data.

• Choose certified organic essential oils to ensure they are not adulterated with synthetic fragrances.

• Do not apply in or close to the mouth or nose in children under 6 (even diluted) because it can slow their breathing or cause neurotoxicity.

Use Ideas:

• Diffuse peppermint essential oil in your home for a relaxing sensory experience. Around children under 6, don’t diffuse for more than 30 minutes at a time. Use in larger rooms with more airflow, such as living rooms, and not in small bedrooms where a child could become overwhelmed with the cooling sensation of the mint. Don’t diffuse around toddlers and infants under age 2.

• Use in lotions and massage oils for adults and teens in a dilution rate of up to 5%. This equals about 30 drops of essential oil per ounce of carrier oil (sweet almond, jojoba, sunflower, grapeseed, olive, etc.)

• Add 15 drops of peppermint essential oil in to a tablespoon of carrier oil, mix and add to a bath (adults only) for a skin-cooling and skin moisturizing experience.

For Soothing Indigestion:

For easing symptoms of occasional indigestion, drink peppermint tea, not peppermint essential oil or water or other liquids with peppermint essential oil added. Because essential oils don’t mix with water, they can only truly be diluted in oil; adding essential oil to water can irritate the mucous membranes inside the mouth, throat, and stomach.

For Headaches:

Limited scientific evidence does support the notion that peppermint has the ability to soothe headaches. One study found that a 10% solution of menthol (the main constituent of peppermint essential oil) in ethanol (alcohol, like Everclear) was able to alleviate or stop many symptoms of migraine headaches. Another study found a 6% solution of menthol was effective at lessening headache pain. For a home-made headache remedy similar to those in the study, add 40 drops of essential oil in 1 oz of carrier oil. Store in a glass bottle and apply once to temples and across the forehead. Use on ages 16+. Shake well before use and keep out of reach of children. This does not take the place of medical attention.

Source:

Essential Oil Safety, 2nd ed, Tisserand & Young, 2014.