While peppermint has proven to be a therapeutically valuable aromatic plant, precautions need be taken to ensure the safe use of its oil.
- Unless included as a minor percentage in a professionally formulated blend, avoid use on children under 30 months of age. The nasal mucosa is an autonomic reflexogen organ, which has a distance action to the heart, lungs and circulation and may lead to sudden apnoea and glottal constriction.
- Peppermint oil should not be applied to the faces of infants and children due to the risk of apnea, laryngeal and bronchial spasms, acute respiratory distress with cyanosis and respiratory arrest. Except when included as a minor percentage in a professionally formulated blend, application of peppermint oil to the chest of infants should also be avoided.
- Do not apply undiluted peppermint essential oils to the feet, particularly on infants and children under the age of 12.
- Inhalation of large doses of menthol may lead to dizziness, confusion, muscle weakness, nausea and double vision. Avoid diffusing pure peppermint oil near infants and children. Diffuser blends intended for infants and children should include only a minor percentage of peppermint oil and should be used in a well ventilated room.
- Peppermint essential oil intended for oral use should always be appropriately diluted or enteric-coated in a tablet or capsule professionally formulated for internal use. The indiscriminate oral use of peppermint may cause heartburn, perianal burning, blurred vision, nausea and vomiting. Heartburn is related with the release of the oil in the upper GI tract, which relaxes the lower oesophageal sphincter, facilitating the reflux. The same occurs in the cases of hiatal hernia. This particular undesirable effect is minimized by an appropriate pharmaceutical formulation or dietary supplement.
- Patients with gallbladder disease, severe liver damage, gallstones and chronic heartburn should avoid the intake of peppermint oil except when used in highly diluted form under the guidance of a qualified health professional.
- Pure menthol and peppermint oil may cause burning mouth syndrome, recurrent oral ulceration or a lichenoid reaction, by contact sensitivity in the intra-oral mucosa, in sensitive patients.
- When applied undiluted to the skin, peppermint oil may cause an icy/hot sensation, allergic reactions, skin rashes, contact dermatitis and eye irritation.
- Pure peppermint oil should never be added to bath water as a severe icy/hot sensation will result. When included in bath blends, peppermint oil should be included as a minor percentage and appropriately diluted in carrier before adding to the bath.
Potential Drug Interactions
- Peppermint leaf essential oil has been shown to slow intestinal transit, which may slow the absorption rate or increase the total absorption of coadministered drugs.
- Peppermint essential oil in large doses internally may inhibit the drug-metabilizing isoenzyme CYP3A4, leading to increased plasma levels of drugs metabolized by that isoenzyme.
- Coadministration of peppermint leaf essential oil (600mg) and felodipine (a calcium antagonist drug used to control hypertension) moderately increased the plasma concentration of felodipine, possibly through inhibition of the drug-metabilizing isoenzyme CYP3A4.
- Peppermint oil, menthol, menthyl acetate, and ascorbyl palmitate were moderately potent reversible inhibitors of in vitro CYP3A4 activity. Grapefruit juice increased the oral bioavailability of felodipine by inhibition of CYP3A4-mediated presystemic drug metabolism. Peppermint oil may also have acted by this mechanism. However, this requires further investigation. Ascorbyl palmitate did not inhibit CYP3A4 activity in vivo.
References:
https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/herbal-report/assessment-report-mentha-x-piperita-l-aetheroleum_en.pdf
https://nccih.nih.gov/health/peppermintoil
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2967840
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1002/ffj.3252
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12562459
http://www.ahpa.org/Resources/BotanicalSafetyHandbook.aspx
FAQs
The indiscriminate oral use of peppermint may cause heartburn, perianal burning, blurred vision, nausea and vomiting. Heartburn is related with the release of the oil in the upper GI tract, which relaxes the lower oesophageal sphincter, facilitating the reflux. The same occurs in the cases of hiatal hernia.
What are the precautions for peppermint? ›
Risks and precautions
It is possible to be allergic to peppermint. Anyone who already receives medication should talk with their doctor before using peppermint. Peppermint should not be used by young children. When applied to a child's face, peppermint can cause life threatening breathing problems.
What are the cautions of peppermint essential oil? ›
Side effects of applying peppermint oil to the skin can include skin rashes and irritation. Peppermint oil should not be applied to the face of infants or young children because serious side effects may occur if they inhale the menthol in the oil.
Is peppermint essential oil safe to breathe in? ›
Large doses of menthol, a key ingredient in peppermint oil, can be poisonous. This can lead to serious side effects, including seizures, slow heartbeat, and irregular breathing.
Is peppermint oil safe to use around the house? ›
Your risk of side effects increases if you spray large amounts of undiluted peppermint oil in an enclosed area. Always dilute peppermint oil and use caution when spraying it inside your home. Avoid spraying your whole house at once. Spray small areas at a time, and keep your windows open for fresh air.
Who should avoid peppermint? ›
Speak with your provider before using peppermint or any other herbal products during pregnancy. Never apply peppermint oil to the face of an infant or small child, as it may cause spasms that inhibit breathing. Peppermint may make gallstones worse. Large doses of peppermint oil can be toxic.
What are the pros and cons of peppermint? ›
While some of the proposed benefits of peppermint oil come from anecdotal evidence, research suggests peppermint oil may be beneficial for IBS and other digestive conditions as well as pain relief. Peppermint oil is generally safe, but it can be toxic when taken in very large doses.
Is diffusing peppermint oil safe? ›
- Inhalation of large doses of menthol may lead to dizziness, confusion, muscle weakness, nausea and double vision. Avoid diffusing pure peppermint oil near infants and children.
Does peppermint oil really repel mice? ›
Peppermint oil and mice
Nope! It will make your home smell good, but it certainly won't get rid of your unwanted lodgers. Peppermint oil is assumed to be a great mouse repellent because, in high concentrations, it can be quite potent and mice have a very sensitive sense of smell.
When should you not take peppermint oil? ›
Peppermint oil is generally considered safe for adults to take, unless you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Side effects are minimal and include heartburn, skin irritation and allergic reactions.
Many times, oil is diffused in the air in place of being applied to the skin. Since a baby's sinuses, lungs, and bodies are still developing, you should never use an essential oil diffuser when your baby is present.
How long does peppermint oil last when sprayed? ›
Generally, peppermint oil will last for up to two weeks as a wasp repellent. This is because the oil will evaporate over time, reducing its potency and effectiveness. To ensure that the oil remains effective, it should be reapplied every two weeks.
Is it safe to have a diffuser in the bedroom? ›
Overall, using a diffuser in your bedroom can be a great way to enhance your sleep quality and promote relaxation. With so many different types of diffusers and essential oils available, there's sure to be a combination that's right for you.
Can too much peppermint oil be harmful? ›
Its side effects are claimed to be usually mild and minimally toxic (gastro esophageal reflux, heartburns, nausea, vomiting, allergic reactions and diarrhea). High doses could be hepatotoxic[2] and nephrotoxic (rarely interstitial nephritis and acute renal failure).
Does peppermint oil sanitize the air? ›
A few of her favorites include Peppermint, Lavender, and Lemon. “These are cleansing oils, and can be diffused in your home to help cleanse the air, and promote clear breathing and healthy respiratory functions,” she explains.
What are the precautions of peppermint water? ›
Special Precautions and Warnings
Peppermint can cause some side effects including heartburn, dry mouth, nausea, and vomiting.
Can you be sensitive to peppermint? ›
Yes, a mint allergy is possible and occurs when the immune system overreacts to the compounds found in mint.
What conditions does peppermint like? ›
Mint grows best in full sun to partial shade, should be planted early in the growing season and is generally hardy to -20° F. Mint prefers moist soil conditions, but excess water will promote root and leaf diseases.
How do you take care of peppermint? ›
Growing. Watering – Keeping the soil moist but not soggy is best for peppermint. Like most mint varieties, peppermint is susceptible to fungal disease. The most common are powdery mildew and rust, which is yellow, red or orange spots on the underside of leaves.
