What is mentha oil used for? 9 Uses, side effects of mentha oil

This post was most recently updated on July 25th, 2023

Overview

Talking about the mentha oil/mint, surely everyone is too familiar already!

But when it comes to mentha oil, the majority probably don’t know too much about it.

And now you want to learn more about this essential oil?

You have quite a few questions about it, for example:

What is mentha oil?

Where does it come from?

How to produce it?

What does peppermint oil do?

How is it applied to health care?

If you want to buy which company is good:

Where to buy genuine mentha oil at reasonable prices?

How to use peppermint oil effectively and safely?

What are the notes when using mentha oil?

If you have the above questions, what are you waiting for without finding answers in this article!

What is Mentha oil?

Essential mentha oil (Peppermint) is extracted from the trunk and leaves of peppermint.

It can be retrieved by many different methods such as steam distillation, cold pressing, CO2.

Mentha oil has a pale yellow color; the fresh scent is characteristic.

It can also be said that mentha(peppermint) is a herb that has been used for a long time in many civilizations around the globe.

Greek mythology, folk medicine from Japan, China, Egyptian pyramids all contain evidence regarding this plant.

Nowadays, mentha oils have been widely used all over the world.

It is often used to fight nausea, improve digestive health, relieve muscle pain, and natural antibacterial.

Composition of mentha oil

Mentha leaves

Its chemical components include

    • Menthol,
    • Menthone,
    • 1,8-cineole,
    • Methyl acetate,
    • Methofuran,
    • Iso menthone,
    • Limonene,
    • B-pinene,
    • A-pinene,
    • Germacrene-d,
    • Trans-sabinene hydrate, and
    • Pulegone.

Among these components, the following two main components have the highest activity:

Menthol: 50-60%
Menthone: 10-30%

Uses and effects of mentha oil

Here are the uses of peppermint oil or the main reasons why you should use it!

1. Relieve muscle and joint pain

This is truly a safe and effective natural pain reliever.

It is especially useful for muscle pain due to excessive activity, muscle tension, shrinkage.

Numerous studies have shown mentha oil’s topical analgesic properties.

To use peppermint oil for pain relief, you can apply 2-3 drops of essential oil to the area of ​​sore muscles and joints three times a day.

Or about five drops of essential oils in a bath can also help relieve muscle pain and relax.

You can also combine it with lavender essential oil if you want better results.

2. Support treatment for upper respiratory tract diseases

Mentha oil is one of the best essential oils for the upper respiratory tract.

Specifically, it can help you treat some of the following conditions:

    • Reduce sore throat.
    • Reduce congestion of nose and throat due to sputum and mucus.
    • Cough relief.
    • Support treatment and relieve symptoms of asthma, sinusitis, flu, colds, bronchitis.

Studies have also found that peppermint oil contains substances with antibacterial, antiviral, and antioxidant properties.

This means it can prevent respiratory infections caused by infections.

3. Reduce seasonal allergies

Peppermint oil is perfect for respiratory allergies.

This effect is due to its ability to relax the muscles of the airways, fight inflammation, loosen mucus, and clear its nasal passages.

It can also be said that mentha is the best essential oil for seasonal allergies, pollen allergies.

A study published in the European Journal of Medicine showed that peppermint oil is effective in treating chronic inflammatory conditions such as allergic rhinitis, bronchial asthma, and colitis.

Besides, many other studies also prove that peppermint oil helps reduce symptoms of itching significantly.

4. Enhancing energy and working efficiency

If you feel tired, lack of energy, lack of concentration, try using menthol.

It will help you regain strength, improve level as well as performance.

This is a safe and effective replacement for energy drinks which are being sold rampantly on the market.

Perhaps this effect most people feel right because mint-flavoured candy is very familiar to us already!

5. Improve the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome

When using these essential oils in the form of an oral capsule, you can relieve such symptoms: bloating, indigestion, colic, diarrhoea, or constipation.

Thanks to the ability of menthol to reduce bowel spasm, reduce excessive contraction of bowel muscles.

To help reduce these symptoms, add 1-2 drops of 100% pure peppermint oil to a glass of water daily. You can also take 1-2 drops of essential oil and massage it on your abdomen.

6. Make fresh breath, enhance oral health

This effect probably does not need to be discussed more!

It’s been around for thousands of years, and you’ve probably experienced peppermint gum.

This effect is due to the ability to kill fungi, bacteria in our teeth, and the crisp aroma characteristic of this essential oil. If the bad breath is quite frequent, it could be because of an underlying gut issue. Therefore, checking with some of the Top Dentist in Dubai before trying anything is always recommended.

7. Reduce dandruff, stimulate hair growth

You may be wondering when you hear about this effect of menthol?

Peppermint oil is used in premium hair care products and it has the ability to restore damaged hair, stimulate hair growth, cleanse the scalp and its antimicrobial, antibacterial properties.

Menthol, a significant component of the mentha oil, is also used in dandruff shampoos.

8. Beauty skin

Peppermint oil has a soothing, firming, and anti-inflammatory effect when applied topically.

Besides, it also helps to care for your skin when sunburned.

One study showed that this essential oil has a higher value (SPF – sunscreen factor) than most other essential oils such as Eucalyptus, rose, lavender.

9. Natural insect repellent

Unlike us humans, some insects or small creatures do not like or even hate the scent of menthol.

You can use this essential oil to repel: Cockroaches, ants, spiders, mosquitoes, or even mice.

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Written by Dr. Ganga Sapkota
Updated on July 25, 2023

A graduated medical physician with years of experience in the medical field. Working as a full-time physician in Puspanjali Hospital, Chitwan, Nepal.

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