Does using peppermint for nausea really work? This article discusses some research studies & at home remedies using this herb to help with nausea.
By: Kathy Sadowski, MS in Aromatherapy, Registered Aromatherapist, LMT, RYT
Peppermint is a cooling essential oil that helps reduce inflammation and has an antispasmodic effect on the digestive organs. It has been used for decades as a household herb to help with stomach and colon upset including: distention, flatulence, cramping, and pain. It has also shown to be effective in vitro against Helicobacter pylori, a bacteria that infects the digestive tract and can lead to gastritis and peptic ulcer disease.[1] [2] Whether it is postoperative nausea, IBS related digestive issues, or a stomach ache associated with illness, there have been a significant amount of studies on this minty herb, showing it helps with various troubles of the gut. With in vitro evidence to show peppermint oil and its menthol constituent exert an antiemetic effect,[3] human studies have followed up and shown even more evidence. In a review of 9 studies including 269 subjects, peppermint oil diluted either topically or orally, helped improve gastrointestinal health.[4]
Both peppermint essential oil and the herb (fresh or dried) have shown to help with nausea. For internal use, stick with the herb. It is easy to make a tea: just pour about 8 ounces of hot water over 1 teaspoon of dried or 2 teaspoons of fresh peppermint leaf. Allow to steep for about 5-7 minutes; strain and drink. Inhalation of peppermint essential oil can also help: put about 5 drops in a 5 ounce cool mist diffuser.
Below are a few more studies with recommended recipes to try at home.
Research Study on an Inhalation Blend for Nausea Relief
In a study of 25 patients who were also using other medicines, a synergistic blend of Pimpinella anisum (anise), Foeniculum vulgare (sweet fennel), Anthemis nobilis (Roman chamomile) and Mentha piperita (peppermint) resulted in nausea relief.[5]
At Home Remedy – Peppermint for Nausea
For general nausea relief, In a 5 ounce diffuser, add the following essential oils:
- 1 drop of aniseed
- 1 drop of sweet fennel
- 1 drop of roman chamomile
- 1 drop of peppermint
Research Studies on Peppermint Inhalation for Postoperative Nausea
- In a small sample size of 35 tested women, peppermint spirits inhalation was useful in treating the nausea related to postoperative C-section.[6]
- Peppermint oil reduced the incidence of postoperative nausea.[7]
At Home Remedy – Peppermint for Nausea
- Add 5 drops to a diffuser.
- OR, place one drop on a tissue or cloth and sniff.
- OR, steep the leaves in hot water and inhale the aroma of the steam.
RESEARCH
[1] Lane, B., Cannella, K., Bowen, C., Copelan, D., Nteff, G., Barnes, K., … & Lawson, J. (2012). Examination of the effectiveness of peppermint aromatherapy on nausea in women post C-section. Journal of Holistic Nursing, 30(2), 90-104.
[2] Tate, S. (1997). Peppermint oil: a treatment for postoperative nausea. Journal of advanced nursing, 26(3), 543-549.
[1]Mahady, G. B., Pendland, S. L., Stoia, A., Hamill, F. A., Fabricant, D., Dietz, B. M., & Chadwick, L. R. (2005). In vitro susceptibility of Helicobacter pylori to botanical extracts used traditionally for the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders. Phytotherapy research, 19(11), 988-991.
[2]Castillo-Juárez, I., González, V., Jaime-Aguilar, H., Martínez, G., Linares, E., Bye, R., & Romero, I. (2009). Anti-Helicobacter pylori activity of plants used in Mexican traditional medicine for gastrointestinal disorders. Journal of ethnopharmacology, 122(2), 402-405.
[3]Heimes, K., Hauk, F., & Verspohl, E. J. (2011). Mode of action of peppermint oil and (‐)‐menthol with respect to 5‐HT3 receptor subtypes: binding studies, cation uptake by receptor channels and contraction of isolated rat ileum. Phytotherapy Research, 25(5), 702-708
[4]Grigoleit, H. G., & Grigoleit, P. (2005). Gastrointestinal clinical pharmacology of peppermint oil. Phytomedicine, 12(8), 607-611.
[5]Gilligan, N. P. (2005). The palliation of nausea in hospice and palliative care patients with essential oils of Pimpinella anisum (aniseed), Foeniculum vulgare var. dulce (sweet fennel), Anthemis nobilis (Roman chamomile) and Mentha x piperita (peppermint). International Journal of Aromatherapy, 15(4), 163-167.
[6] Lane, B., Cannella, K., Bowen, C., Copelan, D., Nteff, G., Barnes, K., … & Lawson, J. (2012). Examination of the effectiveness of peppermint aromatherapy on nausea in women post C-section. Journal of Holistic Nursing, 30(2), 90-104.
[7] Tate, S. (1997). Peppermint oil: a treatment for postoperative nausea. Journal of advanced nursing, 26(3), 543-549.
Click here for more research on peppermint.
But wait…there’s more…
Here are some additional interesting studies on peppermint to aid in digestive issues.
- In this meta analysis on herbal remedies for IBS, peppermint was identified as effective from multiple studies.[1]
- In a review of multiple studies, peppermint was more effective than the placebo in treating irritable bowel syndrome.[2]
- In a random double contrast study of 250 participants, oral intake of peppermint oil was safe and antispasmodic on the digestive tract.[3]
- In a meta-review of 12 randomized controlled trials and 591 patients, peppermint oil showed spasmolytic activity related to IBS.[4]
- Peppermint oil relaxed digestive smooth muscle in vitro by reducing calcium influx.[5]
- An essential oil blend including rosemary, lemon, and peppermint rubbed on the abdomen reduced constipation in the elderly.[6]
- In a randomized crossover study of 10 participants, a meal containing 0.64 mL of peppermint oil enhanced gastric emptying.[7]
- In this randomized, double-blind clinical trial study of 50 patients in a chemotherapy hospital in Iran, receiving peppermint and spearmint volatile oil capsules reduced chemotherapy induced nausea and vomiting. The spearmint and peppermint capsules contained two drops of each essential oil along with sugar and were administered every four hours, beginning 30 minutes before they received their chemotherapy treatment, then again four hours later, and finally four hours later once they were at home.[8]
- Peppermint and caraway oil relaxed the gall-bladder and slowed small intestinal transit.[9]
- Patients treated orally with a peppermint / caraway oil showed good tolerability and reduced symptoms associated with functional dyspepsia.[10]
REFERENCES
[1] Rahimi, R., & Abdollahi, M. (2012). Herbal medicines for the management of irritable bowel syndrome: a comprehensive review. World J Gastroenterol, 18(7), 589-600.
[2] Ford, A. C., Talley, N. J., Spiegel, B. M., Foxx-Orenstein, A. E., Schiller, L., Quigley, E. M., & Moayyedi, P. (2008). Effect of fibre, antispasmodics, and peppermint oil in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome: systematic review and meta-analysis. Bmj, 337, a2313.
[3] Mizuno, S., Kato, K., Ono, Y., Yano, K., Kurosaka, H., Takahashi, A., … & Hiki, N. (2006). Oral peppermint oil is a useful antispasmodic for double‐contrast barium meal examination. Journal of gastroenterology and hepatology, 21(8), 1297-1301
[4] Ford, A. C., Talley, N. J., Spiegel, B. M., Foxx-Orenstein, A. E., Schiller, L., Quigley, E. M., & Moayyedi, P. (2008). Effect of fibre, antispasmodics, and peppermint oil in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome: systematic review and meta-analysis. Bmj, 337, a2313.
[5] Hills, J. M., & Aaronson, P. I. (1991). The mechanism of action of peppermint oil on gastrointestinal smooth muscle: an analysis using patch clamp electrophysiology and isolated tissue pharmacology in rabbit and guinea pig. Gastroenterology, 101(1), 55-65.
[6] Kim, M. A., Sakong, J. K., Kim, E. J., & Kim, E. H. (2005). Effect of aromatherapy massage for the relief of constipation in the elderly. Taehan Kanho Hakhoe Chi, 35(1), 56-64.
[7] Inamori, M., Akiyama, T., Akimoto, K., Fujita, K., Takahashi, H., Yoneda, M., … & Nakajima, A. (2007). Early effects of peppermint oil on gastric emptying: a crossover study using a continuous real-time 13C breath test (BreathID system). Journal of gastroenterology, 42(7), 539-542.
[8] Tayarani-Najaran, Z., Talasaz-Firoozi, E., Nasiri, R., Jalali, N., & Hassanzadeh, M. K. (2013). Antiemetic activity of volatile oil from Mentha spicata and Mentha× piperita in chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. ecancermedicalscience, 7, 290.
[9] Goerg, K. J., & Spilker, T. H. (2003). Effect of peppermint oil and caraway oil on gastrointestinal motility in healthy volunteers: a pharmacodynamic study using simultaneous determination of gastric and gallbladder emptying and orocecal transit time. Alimentary pharmacology & therapeutics, 17(3), 445-451.
[10] May, B., Köhler, S., & Schneider, B. (2000). Efficacy and tolerability of a fixed combination of peppermint oil and caraway oil in patients suffering from functional dyspepsia. Alimentary pharmacology & therapeutics, 14(12), 1671-1677.
