Peppermint Essential Oil Profile - cautions, dilution guidelines, therapeutic properties, scientific research citations, usage suggestions, and more

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Peppermint essential oil, Mentha piperita*, is steam distilled from the plant’s leaves. Peppermint belongs to the Lamiaceae (Labiatae) botanical family.

* Be sure you check the label for the botanical name. If it does not say Mentha piperita then it is not Peppermint.

Some vendors sell Cornmint (Mentha arvensis) under the name Peppermint.

Cornmint is a less expensive oil and does not have the same profile as Peppermint. So check those labels! :)

An example of an ISO compliant Peppermint Essential Oil Main Constituents: Menthol 37% Menthone 22% 1,8-cineole 5% Isomenthone 4% Menthyl Acetate 4% Neomenthol 4% L-Limonene 2% Other 20%

Main chemical families: Monoterpenols (40%), Ketones (30%)

The menthol and 1,8-cineole in Peppermint essential oil can be irritating to sensitive skin - use Peppermint essential oil in low dilution. The 1,8-cineole in Peppermint essential oil can be irritating to mucous membranes - avoid using Peppermint essential oil in a steam bath. The menthol and 1,8-cineole in Peppermint essential oil can have possible negative respiratory effects on children - avoid using Peppermint essential oil on or near the faces of children under the age of 6. Peppermint essential oil can contribute to acid reflux - avoid Peppermint essential oil if you have GERD.

Dilution Guidelines

Essential oils are concentrated substances and must be diluted before using. The general rule of thumb for diluting essential oils is 2% dilution for adults (2 drops essential oil per 1 tsp carrier) and 1% dilution for children (1 drop essential oil per 1 tsp carrier). For more information read: Properly Diluting Essential Oils.

Peppermint essential oil has a maximum topical dilution of 5.4% due to menthofuran and pulegone content and their potential for hepatoxicity. Source: Essential Oil Safety by Robert Tisserand.

Therapeutic Properties of Peppermint Essential Oil
Therapeutic Property Definition Health Concern Body System
analgesic relieves pain headache nervous
sore throat digestive
toothache skeletal
anti-inflammatory relieves inflammation ache muscular
IBS digestive
antibacterial inhibits bacterial growth bacteria skin
antiemetic relieves nausea, vomiting nausea digestive
vomiting digestive
antihalitosis freshens breath bad breath digestive
antifungal inhibits fungal growth fungus skin
antimicrobial inhibits microbial growth bacteria, fungus, virus skin
antioxidant inhibits oxidation free radical damage skin
antipruritic relives itching itching skin
antispasmodic relieves cramp, spasm cramp muscular
spasm muscular
antiviral combats viruses virus lymphatic
astringent constricts skin wrinkles skin
carminative relieves digestive bloating intragastric pressure (bloating) digestive
cephalic relating to the head mental fatigue nervous
choleretic stimulates bile production low bile production digestive
circulatory stimulant stimulates circulation poor circulation cardiovascular
cooling
decongestant relieves congestion congestion respiratory
emmenagogue stimulates menstruation low menstrual flow reproductive
expectorant promotes drainage of respiratory congestion cough respiratory
febrifuge reduces fever fever lymphatic
immunostimulant stimulates immune system low immune system function lymphatic
lipophilic skin penetration enhancer skin
nervine nerve tonic nerves nervous
stress endocrine
stomachic stimulates digestion dyspepsia (indigestion) digestive
poor appetite digestive
sudorific promotes perspiration skin
vermifuge destroys and expels intestinal worms intestinal worms digestive

Scientific Research Citations

Peppermint oil is effective in relieving abdominal pain for those suffering with IBS. Source: PubMed.

The menthol in Peppermint oil was found to have antifungal properties. Source: PebMed.

Peppermint oil has antimicrobial properties. Source: PubMed.

Peppermint oil useful antispasmodic for elderly patients. Source: PubMed.

Peppermint oil has antiviral properties that can be suitable against recurrent herpes infection. Source: PubMed.

Peppermint oil relaxes smooth muscles and can provide relief of colonic spasm when given via enema. Source: PubMed.

Peppermint oil and caraway found to have favorable results for dyspepsia (indigestion). Source: PubMed.

Topical application of Peppermint oil can relieve pruritus (itching), irritation, and inflammation. Also can be a skin sensitizer. Source: PubMed.

Peppermint oil diluted to 10% as effective as 1,000 mg acetaminophen for headaches. Source: PubMed.

Peppermint oil may be helpful for treating tension headache. Source: PubMed.

Peppermint oil can be used short-term to treat IBS. Source: PubMed.

Enteric-coated Peppermint oil may relieve IBS symptoms. Source: PubMed.

Peppermint oil reduces intragastric pressure (bloating). Source: PubMed.

Peppermint oil can help with low bile production, as it stimulates bile fluid secretion. Source: PubMed.

Peppermint oil may reduce the perceived level of mental fatigue. Soruce: PubMed.

Suggestions for Using Peppermint Essential Oil for Health Concerns

  • Please note our disclaimer (in blue box at bottom of post) before using any of the information provided in the images below.
  • Dilution Note: For some of the suggestions below you can increase dilution up to 5% (per max. dilution guideline for this EO) if needed. See our dilution chart here: Properly Diluting Essential Oils to calculate desired dilution and adjust amount of product you are making. Always use the lowest dilution that provides results.
  • Carrier suggestions: coconut oil, and for pain-relieving blends I personally use arnica lotion, or arnica massage oil. Read more about carriers here: What Carriers to Use.
  • For diffuser suggestions, I personally have and love the SpaVapor.
Achy Muscles (3% dilution) – Combine 3 drops Peppermint EO with 1 teaspoon of carrier*. Massage into achy muscles. Aging Facial Skin (2% dilution) – Combine 1 drop Peppermint EO with 1/2 teaspoon carrier. Apply before bed.
Aging Skin (2% dilution) – Add 12 drops Peppermint EO and 1 ounce water to a 1 ounce spray bottle. Shake well before misting over face twice daily. Bad Breath (2% dilution) - In a 1 ounce spray bottle add 12 drops Peppermint EO and 1 ounce water. Shake well before using.
Bloating (2% dilution) – Combine 2 drops Peppermint EO with 1 teaspoon carrier. Apply over abdomen. Congestion – Add 15 drops Peppermint EO to an inhaler and use as needed.
Coughing - Apply 1 drop Peppermint EO on a tissue, placing near mouth to inhale during cough. Cramp (3% dilution) – Combine 3 drops Peppermint EO with 1 teaspoon carrier and apply where needed.
Dyspepsia/Indigestion (2% dilution) – Combine 2 drops Peppermint EO with 1 teaspoon carrier and apply over abdomen. Headache Relief (1% dilution) – Combine 1 drop of Peppermint EO in 1 teaspoon carrier. Massage into temples, base of skull, or over the source of headache.
Itching (2% dilution) – Combine 2 drops Peppermint EO with 1 teaspoon carrier and apply where needed. Fever – Add 12 drops Peppermint EO and 1 ounce water to a 1 ounce spray bottle. Shake well before misting back of neck and/or torso as needed.
Fever - Add 2 drops Peppermint EO to a bowl of lukewarm water. Dab a facecloth in the water, making sure to absorb the EOs as well as some of the water. Blot on forehead or behind neck. Avoid eyes. Mental Fatigue – Add 10 drops Peppermint EO to your diffuser.
Nausea – Add 15 drops Peppermint EO to an inhaler and use as needed. You can also apply 1-2 drops to a clay pendant that you can wear. Nerves/stress - Place 1-2 drops Peppermint EO on a cotton ball and place on your desk near where you are working. Other ideas: apply 1-2 drops to a clay pendant; add 15 drops to an inhaler; add 10 drops to your diffuser.
Poor Circulation (2% dilution) – Combine 2 drops Peppermint EO with 1 teaspoon carrier and apply where needed. Sore Throat (2% dilution) – Gargle with 2 drops Peppermint EO vigorously stirred into 1 ounce water.
Spasm (3% dilution) – Combine 3 drops Peppermint EO with 1 teaspoon carrier* and apply where needed. Toothache – Use 1 drop Peppermint EO applied to a cotton swab, and run over area of toothache.

Dietary Uses

Used as a food flavoring. Replace 1 teaspoon peppermint extract with 1 drop Peppermint essential oil in recipes.

Personal Care Uses

Can be used in soap, toothpaste and mouthwash recipes.

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Notes

Peppermint essential oil may decrease lactation. Use with caution if breastfeeding.

Interesting Facts

Peppermint essential oil takes 100-120 minutes to be absorbed through the skin. Source: The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Essential Oils.

It takes 1,000 pounds of mature plants to create 1 pound of Peppermint essential oil. Source: A Complete Guide to Understanding and Using Aromatherapy for Vibrant Health and Beauty.

Our 3rd Party Testing of Peppermint Essential Oils

We tested 13 essential oils from 12 companies and found 10 samples to be “Not in Compliance” with ISO standards. Two of the 10 also contained a synthetic additive, ethyl vanillin.

Read more: 3rd Party Test Results for Peppermint Essential Oil.
Click here to download a PDF version of this post.

Lea Harris is a Certified Aromatherapist with Advanced Graduate training from Aromahead Institute in July 2013, but she is not a doctor. Please consult a trained aromatherapist or your doctor before using any of the suggestions on this website, as the user's age and health conditions must be taken into account before using. The information contained in this website is for informational purposes only, and should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice.

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Peppermint Essential Oil Profile - cautions, dilution guidelines, therapeutic properties, scientific research citations, usage suggestions, and more — 1 Comment

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