Peppermint oil
Peppermint oil is the essential oil distilled from the leaves of peppermint, Mentha × piperita. Its main component is menthol.
Does it help irritable bowel syndrome?
A 2022 meta-analysis of 10 trials involving 1,030 people found improved overall IBS symptoms and abdominal pain versus placebo. However, evidence quality was very low, and adverse events were more frequent. The finding supports a possible symptom benefit, not a reliable response for every patient. 1
What about headache or nausea?
NCCIH describes limited evidence for topical oil in tension headache and preliminary findings for inhalation during chemotherapy-related nausea. These routes do not establish oral-capsule benefits. 2
Effects by health goal
Open an effect to see the studies behind its rating. Bars show the size of the effect; the letter grades the evidence.
Gut Health3 effects
No study is linked to this rating.
Hair & Skin1 effect
No study is linked to this rating.
Cognition3 effects
No study is linked to this rating.
No study is linked to this rating.
Stress & Mood1 effect
No study is linked to this rating.
Energy1 effect
No study is linked to this rating.
All studies
4 publications are linked to Peppermint oil, newest first.