Peppermint oil is one of the most familiar essential oils. Its bright, cooling scent is the same one found in toothpaste, chewing gum and many soaps and balms, and it is often one of the first oils people buy. This guide covers what the oil is, how people use it, what the research shows and the safety rules that matter most, especially around children and pets.
What peppermint essential oil is
Peppermint (Mentha × piperita) is a hybrid mint, a cross between watermint and spearmint. The essential oil is steam-distilled from the leaves and flowering tops of the plant. The result is a thin, pale oil with a sharp, fresh, minty scent.
Most of that character comes from menthol, along with a related compound called menthone. Menthol is what creates the cooling feeling on the skin and the “clearing” sensation many people notice when they smell the oil. Because peppermint oil is so concentrated, a single drop has a strong effect, so it is used a drop or two at a time.
Peppermint vs spearmint
Spearmint oil comes from a different mint plant. It has a softer, sweeter scent and far less menthol, so check the plant name on the label.
Popular ways to use peppermint oil
- Diffusing: a few drops in an ultrasonic diffuser give a room a crisp, wake-up scent. See the guide to using essential oils in a diffuser for how long to run it.
- Diluted on the skin: mixed into a carrier oil, peppermint is used in massage blends for a cooling feeling on tired feet, shoulders or the back of the neck.
- Around the home: a drop on a cotton pad tucked into a drawer, trash can or gym bag adds a fresh scent. Some people add a few drops to a homemade surface spray for scent.
What the research says
Peppermint oil has been studied more than most essential oils, but the findings are narrower than many websites suggest. A few small studies have looked at diluted peppermint oil applied to the forehead and temples for tension-type headaches, with some encouraging results. The site’s guide to essential oils for headaches covers that research and its limits.
Other claims often made for peppermint oil, such as fighting infections, boosting the immune system or helping breathing conditions, are not well supported. Peppermint oil is not a treatment for any illness. If symptoms are new, severe or keep coming back, talk to a doctor rather than relying on an essential oil.
How to dilute peppermint oil
Never put undiluted peppermint oil on the skin. Always mix it with a carrier oil such as jojoba, sweet almond, sunflower or fractionated coconut oil. For adults, many aromatherapy references suggest keeping peppermint at around 1 percent for regular use, which works out to roughly 5 to 6 drops in 30 ml (1 fl oz) of carrier oil. For a small area, that is about 1 drop per teaspoon of carrier oil.
The site’s guide to diluting and blending essential oils has a full dilution chart and tips on patch testing. Before using any new blend, test a small amount on the inner forearm and wait a day to check for redness or itching.
Who should avoid peppermint oil
Peppermint is easy to buy, but it is not gentle. Take extra care in these situations:
- Babies and young children: menthol-rich oils like peppermint should never be applied on or near the face of babies or young children, and many experts advise against using peppermint oil on young children at all. Read essential oils and kids before using any oil around children.
- Cats and other pets: cats are especially sensitive to essential oils, and peppermint is one of the oils most often listed as toxic to pets. Never apply it to an animal, keep bottles out of reach and diffuse only in rooms pets can leave. See are essential oils safe for pets.
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding: check with a doctor or midwife before using any essential oil.
- Eyes and sensitive skin: keep peppermint away from the eyes, nose and mucous membranes, and wash your hands after handling it. If oil gets in the eyes, rinse with plenty of clean water and seek medical advice if irritation continues.
- Medical conditions: people with heart conditions, epilepsy, asthma or other ongoing health issues, or who take regular medication, should ask a doctor or pharmacist first.
Do not swallow peppermint essential oil or add it to drinks or food. Peppermint flavorings sold for cooking are different products made for that use. If someone swallows essential oil, call a poison control center right away (in the US, Poison Control can help online or by phone).
Buying and storing peppermint oil
A good bottle lists the Latin name (Mentha × piperita or Mentha piperita), the country of origin and the plant part used. Avoid bottles that say only “peppermint fragrance” or “peppermint scent”, which are usually synthetic fragrance oils. Labels such as “therapeutic grade” are marketing terms, not a regulated standard.
Store peppermint oil in a dark glass bottle with the cap tightly closed, away from heat and sunlight. Keep it up high or locked away from children and pets. Like other essential oils, peppermint slowly changes as it is exposed to air, so buy small bottles you will use within a year or two and discard any oil that smells off. The site’s essential oil safety rules cover storage in more detail.
Simple peppermint blend ideas
These ideas are for diffusing. Follow your diffuser’s instructions for water level and total drops.
- Fresh start: 2 drops peppermint, 2 drops lemon.
- Focus time: 1 drop peppermint, 2 drops rosemary.
- Cool and calm: 1 drop peppermint, 3 drops lavender.
Run the diffuser for short sessions with a window open or the door ajar, and stop if anyone feels a headache, nausea or irritation.
Shop the gear
Prices and availability are set on the store and can change.
Frequently asked questions
Can peppermint oil be put directly on the skin?
No. Always dilute it in a carrier oil first and patch test. Undiluted peppermint oil can irritate or burn the skin.
Is it safe to diffuse peppermint oil around children?
Use great caution. Do not diffuse peppermint in a room with a baby or young child, and never apply it near a child’s face. Ask a pediatrician before using it around older children.
Is peppermint oil safe for cats and dogs?
Peppermint is commonly listed as toxic to pets, and cats are especially at risk. Never apply it to a pet, and keep pets out of rooms where it is being diffused. Contact a vet if a pet shows drooling, vomiting, wobbliness or breathing trouble.
Can peppermint oil be added to water or tea?
No. Essential oils should not be swallowed. Use culinary peppermint products made for food instead.
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Top image: Peppermint (Mentha × piperita) by S.G.S., CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
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