Essential oils are powerful concentrated extracts and knowing how to use them is of the utmost importance. Essential oils should not be feared but they should be respected and used properly to ensure the safety of the individuals using them. Let’s talk about the safety of Peppermint (Mentha piperita) essential oil.
The list of therapeutic actions of Peppermint essential oil is quite impressive; its most talked about action is helping with stomach discomfort. Peppermint in an enteric-coated capsule is actually very efficient in the treatment of IBS [1] and can be purchased over the counter (OTC), but placing a drop in water will not reap the same desired results. Peppermint can be found in the marketplace in soap, shampoo, cigarettes, toothpaste, chewing gum, tea, ice cream and more. Due to the fact that Peppermint oil is widely used as a food additive and an ingredient in OTC herbal preparations, many people feel that peppermint falls into the “safe” category for adults and children alike. It’s important to understand that Peppermint oil is used in minuscule quantities in these applications and is not the in the same form as the essential oils on your shelf, therefore, consuming a few drops of pure Peppermint essential oil daily gives you a much higher dose, and is not recommended for a variety of reasons.
I am not going to cover the many uses of the oil; today I want to cover safety. It is important for all essential oil users to know that Peppermint essential oil comes with what are called contraindications.
What does contraindication mean?
According to the Merriam Webster dictionary, a contraindication “is something (such as a symptom or condition) that makes a particular treatment or procedure inadvisable” [2].
In aromatherapy, these are specific instances when an oil should not be used because it might be harmful, for example, anyone with a history of seizures, asthma, blood clotting disorders, taking certain medications or are pregnant or nursing to name a few. There are certain oils not recommended for children for various reasons. Some oils increase the risk of skin irritation when applied topically (more so for those with sensitive skin), while other oils are phototoxic.
What types of contraindications does Peppermint essential oil have? Peppermint essential oil contains a significant amount of the constituent menthol. When the menthol in Peppermint is inhaled, it stimulates the TRPM8 cold receptors in the lungs. This could potentially trigger a reflex in young children making breathing slow, and for this reason, Peppermint essential oil has been given the contraindication, “do not apply near the face of infants or children.” [3][4].
It has been stated that Peppermint essential oil can be used topically on children to lower fever. We can now see that this is not recommended near the face (the chest/neck would apply here). Peppermint does provide a cooling “effect”, but has not been proven to actually lower fever. A great alternative is to place the herbal counterpart into a muslin bag and place into a lukewarm bath. (I typically place the bag in boiling water first to sufficiently fill the water with mint, and then add to the bath). If the fever is high the mildly warm water will help bring the fever down albeit temporary to help bring comfort, and the herbal water will be incredibly soothing to the child. Best of all, it is safe.
Fevers are the bodies natural response to fighting infection, in most cases reducing fever is not recommended. Just try to make the child comfortable. Please speak to your doctor in regards to a safe upper limit for a fever before using interventions to lower it such as NSAIDS. Refer to this article here, speaking in greater detail about fevers in children.
“Peppermint essential oil disturbs the cytochrome P450 liver detoxification system, which means that it can interfere with the metabolism of certain drugs. It is established that the oil is contraindicated with the use of cardiac stabilizing medications, including quinidine. It appears to interfere with calcium channel blockers and has been anecdotally reported to increase the activity of NSAIDS and naproxen”.-Katharine Koeppen, Aromaceuticals.com [5].
Peppermint essential oil “may” interfere with breastfeeding by lowering milk supply. There is no scientific evidence to back this claim up, but there is sufficient anecdotal evidence to warrant me to include it in this article. Please proceed with caution if you are nursing.
Peppermint essential oil should be used with caution when taken orally improperly (under the tongue or in water), with those suffering from gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), as it can exacerbate the condition. This is because “Peppermint oil can relax the sphincter between the stomach and esophagus, allowing stomach acids to flow back into the esophagus” [6].
According to the Expanded German Commission E Monographs, “oral ingestion of Peppermint essential oil is not recommended for anyone with liver damage (potentially elevating liver enzymes), gallbladder inflammation, and obstruction of bile ducts” [7].
If using Peppermint essential oil on the skin, it is important to dilute it as it carries a moderate risk for skin irritation. Essential oils should not be used undiluted on the skin or “neat”, in most cases.
This information is not provided to induce fear. Peppermint is often shared for use online for a myriad of ailments, and the truth is it is an impressive oil with many benefits, but there are safety concerns as well. When armed with this information, you can make an informed decision about how essential oils can benefit you and your family.
References:
[1] Enteric-coated peppermint-oil capsules in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome: a prospective, randomized trial. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9430014
[2] Contraindication definition. Retrieved from https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/contraindication
[3] TRPM8: The Cold and Menthol Receptor, Retrieved from
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK5238/
[4] Tisserand, R., Young, R. (2014) Essential Oil Safety. (2nd ed) Elsevier
[5] Koeppen, K. Adverse Reactions to Peppermint Oil
[6] Peppermint. University of Maryland Medical Center. Retrieved/updated December 19, 2017 from: https://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/herb/peppermint
[7] Blumenthal, M. (2000). Herbal medicine: expanded commission E monographs. Austin: Integrative Medicine Communications (p301)
Additional Resources
Application of gas-liquid chromatography to the analysis of essential oils. Part XVII. Fingerprinting of essential oils by temperature-programmed gas-liquid chromatography using capillary columns with non-polar stationary phases. Analytical methods committee. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9463975
Bowles, E. J. (2004). The chemistry of aromatherapeutic oils. Crows Nest, N.S.W.: Allen & Unwin.
Schultz, et.al. (1998) Rational phytotherapy: A physicians guide to herbal medicine. New York: Springer
Like so many practices in life I encourage you to become educated on the proper use of essential oils. When using them, please do so cautiously, understanding that there is often misinformation on the internet. You can be assured that I support only educated and proven resources. While essential oils should not be feared they should be respected and used properly to ensure the safety of the individuals using them.
Please note that I am not a medical practitioner. The content of this website is provided for general informational purposes only and is not intended as, nor should it be considered a substitute for, professional medical advice. Do not use the information on this website for diagnosing or treating any medical or health condition. If you have or suspect you have a medical problem, promptly contact your professional healthcare provider. By using this website, you assume full responsibility and liability for your own actions.
