Peppermint Oil Benefits and How to Use it
As reported Insider And the following are conditions that can benefit from peppermint oil:
Can help with headaches and migraines
“For my patients with headaches, I usually recommend initial treatment with topical treatments such as peppermint oil, or with a painkilling ointment containing menthol, a cooling agent derived from peppermint,” says Lisa Ravindra, MD, an assistant professor of medicine and medicine. a certified internist at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago.
“The associated cold sensation also appears to divert nerves from the pain response,” says Ravindra. “In addition, topical peppermint has been shown to increase blood flow to the applied area, which can promote healing.”
Can reduce nausea
By inhaling the aroma of peppermint oil or applying a few drops of peppermint oil to a cool, damp washcloth and applying it to the forehead has been shown to reduce nausea in pregnant parents. Then patients undergoing chemotherapy, and patients who are recovering from surgery.
According to Ravindra, the same muscle relaxation benefits of using peppermint oil for headaches are most likely responsible for its ability to relieve nausea. “It’s also possible that taking a deep breath while inhaling peppermint oil is actually responsible for some of the effects that are felt,” says Ravindra.
Can be used to treat irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
Irritable-bowel syndrome (IBS) is a complex disease with many factors that contribute to its symptoms, so the best treatment will vary from patient to patient.
“But in addition to diet and lifestyle changes, doctors often recommend peppermint oil capsules before switching to prescription drugs,” says Robert Shulman, MD, a board-certified pediatric gastroenterologist and professor of pediatric nutrition at Baylor College of Medicine.
Can relieve itching
Peppermint oil can help relieve itching due to its cooling effect on the skin and by diverting the nerves around the itchy area. According to Ravindra, peppermint oil should not be applied to damaged skin because it can burn or aggravate the wound further.
(YDH)