Peppermint: Discover Its Anti-Nausea, Brain-Boosting, Oral Health, and Exercise Benefits

Secure Ordering | Free Shipping | Best Quality | Best Prices

Along with providing information on whether Peppermint supplements might be right for you, this article also links to Fullscript where you can buy high quality supplements. Order online through Fullscript’s secure healthcare formulary to get the best prices and free shipping on professional-grade supplements.

Peppermint, a familiar and refreshing herb, isn’t just for flavoring our candy canes; it also offers an array of health benefits. In this article, we’ll learn about the world of peppermint supplements and explore how this remarkable plant can contribute to our health. From aiding digestion to soothing headaches and improving mental focus, peppermint’s therapeutic properties have been celebrated for centuries. Let’s unpack the science behind this aromatic herb and discover how it can enhance our daily health regimen.

What Is Peppermint?

Peppermint is a hybrid mint, a cross between watermint and spearmint, native to Europe and the Middle East. Now widely grown in many regions of the world, it’s recognized for its sharp, cooling flavor and invigorating aroma. The leaves and the oil extracted from them are where its potent properties lie.

In the realm of herbal supplements, peppermint is highly valued for its various therapeutic uses. It contains several active ingredients, including menthol, which is primarily responsible for its cooling sensation and is a key component in its health benefits. The plant also boasts a rich profile of antioxidants, flavonoids, and other beneficial compounds.

Historically, peppermint has been used in traditional medicines for centuries. Its applications ranged from alleviating digestive issues to acting as a remedy for colds and headaches. Today, science has begun to explore and validate many of these traditional uses, cementing peppermint’s status as a versatile and beneficial herbal supplement.

Peppermint’s popularity in both culinary and medicinal contexts is a testament to its broad appeal and effectiveness. As we continue to learn more about this fascinating plant, its role in supporting health and wellness becomes increasingly clear.

What Are the Benefits of Peppermint?

  • Digestive Health: Peppermint supplements are known for soothing the digestive tract and offering relief from symptoms associated with IBS, including cramps, bloating, and gas. They help relax the muscles of the intestines, easing discomfort. PMID: 36994979, PMC5814329, PMID: 24100754
  • Relief from Nausea and Headaches: The natural compounds in peppermint, particularly menthol, are effective in reducing nausea and relieving headache symptoms. They provide a cooling effect that can alleviate the pressure and pain of tension headaches and migraines. PMID: 32985338
  • Respiratory Benefits: Menthol in peppermint acts as a natural decongestant, aiding in clearing mucus from the respiratory tract. This makes it beneficial for easing symptoms of colds, coughs, and sinusitis, promoting easier breathing. PMC7821947
  • Oral Health: Peppermint’s antibacterial properties contribute to maintaining oral hygiene. It combats harmful bacteria, helps in reducing bad breath, and is often a key ingredient in mouthwashes and toothpaste for its freshening effect. PMC6036875
  • Mental Focus and Energy: The aroma of peppermint has stimulating properties, which can enhance mental alertness and focus. This makes it a helpful aid in combating mental fatigue and improving energy levels. PMC6116079
  • Soothing Muscle and Joint Pain: When applied topically, peppermint supplements can provide a cooling sensation and relief from muscle and joint discomfort. Its analgesic properties help in reducing pain and inflammation. PMC7871606
  • Skin Health: The anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties of peppermint are beneficial for skin health. They can aid in treating conditions like acne and support a healthy skin complexion by reducing inflammation and fighting skin bacteria.
  • Stress Relief: Peppermint has a calming effect on the mind and body. Its refreshing aroma is known to reduce stress levels and promote a sense of relaxation, making it a popular choice in aromatherapy. PMID: 35007899
  • Allergy Symptom Relief: Peppermint contains rosmarinic acid, which has anti-inflammatory properties. These can help in reducing nasal symptoms associated with seasonal allergies, such as congestion, sneezing, and itching.
  • Antimicrobial Properties: The natural compounds in peppermint, especially menthol, have shown effectiveness in inhibiting the growth of bacteria and fungi. This makes it a potential natural agent for reducing the risk of infections and supporting immune health. PMC10183852
  • Menstrual Pain Relief: Peppermint has muscle-relaxing properties that can be beneficial in alleviating menstrual cramps, offering a natural, non-pharmaceutical option for managing period discomfort. PMC10183852
  • Improved Exercise Performance: Consuming peppermint can enhance exercise performance, and may increase lung capacity and oxygen concentration, leading to improved breathing and endurance during physical activities. PMC4103722, PMC3607906
  • Balancing Hormones: Peppermint may positively influence hormone balance, which can be particularly helpful in conditions like PCOS, where hormonal imbalance plays a significant role.
  • Appetite Control: The scent of peppermint has been linked to a reduced appetite. Using peppermint supplements might help in managing cravings and supporting weight management efforts. PMID: 23489975, PMC8584325
  • Reduction of Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea: Peppermint has been used effectively as a complementary therapy to lessen the nausea and vomiting often associated with chemotherapy treatments, providing a natural way to improve patient comfort. PMID: 33197662
  • Improved Sleep Quality: The relaxing and calming effects of peppermint can contribute to better sleep quality. Its soothing properties may help those struggling with insomnia or restless sleep. PMC7132346
  • Reduced Bloating and Gas: Peppermint relaxes the muscles of the gastrointestinal tract, which can help in reducing symptoms of bloating and gas, offering a natural aid for digestive comfort. PMID: 24100754

Is Peppermint Safe?

Peppermint supplements are safe for most people when taken in appropriate doses. The natural compounds found in peppermint, such as menthol, have been extensively studied and are recognized for their benefits on various aspects of health. However, as with any supplement, it’s important to follow recommended dosages, especially if you have any underlying health conditions or are pregnant or breastfeeding. While rare, potential side effects such as heartburn or allergic reactions may occur, particularly in persons with sensitivities to menthol or other components of peppermint. Overall, when used responsibly, peppermint supplements offer a safe and natural way to support digestive health, alleviate discomfort, and promote overall health.

Medication Interactions with Peppermint

  • Antacids: Peppermint can relax the lower esophageal sphincter, worsening symptoms of heartburn or acid reflux, which might counteract the effects of antacids to reduce stomach acid and relieve heartburn.
  • Diabetes Medications: Peppermint may have a blood sugar-lowering effect, possibly enhancing the effect of diabetes medications and increasing the risk of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar levels) requiring monitoring.
  • Blood Pressure Medications: Peppermint might have a mild effect on lowering blood pressure when combined with blood pressure medications, which could lead to blood pressure dropping too low, a condition known as hypotension.
  • Anticoagulants (Blood Thinners): Peppermint may slow blood clotting, possibly increasing the risk of bruising and bleeding when used with blood thinners like warfarin or aspirin.
  • Medications Metabolized by the Liver (Cytochrome P450 Enzymes): Peppermint can affect the speed at which the liver breaks down certain drugs, changing the effectiveness and side effects of medications such as statins, antidepressants, and pain medications.
  • Sedatives: Peppermint has mild sedative properties, which, when combined with prescription sedatives, might result in increased drowsiness or sedation, affecting daily activities or alertness levels.
  • Immunosuppressants: Peppermint may influence the immune system, interfere with the action of immunosuppressive drugs, and alter their effectiveness in conditions like organ transplantation or autoimmune diseases.
  • Antibiotics: Peppermint can affect the absorption of medications in the gastrointestinal tract, might alter the effectiveness of certain orally administered antibiotics, and impact their ability to treat infections.
  • Acid Reflux Med: Peppermint relaxes stomach muscles, which can exacerbate acid reflux symptoms, possibly counteract the benefits of medications designed to treat acid reflux and possibly worsening symptoms.

Supplement Interactions with Peppermint

  • Iron Supplements: Peppermint, especially when consumed in large quantities, can inhibit the absorption of iron in the digestive system, leading to reduced effectiveness of iron supplements, affecting persons with iron deficiency or anemia.
  • Calcium Supplements: Similar to iron, peppermint may hinder the body’s ability to absorb calcium effectively, decreasing the benefit of calcium supplements and impacting bone health and density, especially in persons at risk of osteoporosis.
  • Sedative Herbs and Supplements: Peppermint possesses mild sedative effects, which can be combined when taken with other natural sedatives, and could lead to increased drowsiness or sedation when combined with herbs like valerian root, chamomile, or supplements like melatonin, affecting daily activities.
  • Herbs and Supplements that Lower Blood Sugar: Peppermint may have a blood sugar-lowering effect, interacting with other supplements that have a similar impact, possibly causing hypoglycemia, especially in persons with diabetes or using blood sugar-lowering medications, when used alongside supplements like cinnamon or fenugreek.
  • Herbs and Supplements that Affect Blood Pressure: Peppermint can have a mild effect on lowering blood pressure, posing a risk of hypotension (too low blood pressure) when combined with other supplements that lower blood pressure, such as hawthorn or CoQ10.
  • St. John’s Wort: St. John’s Wort affects the way the liver processes various substances, including medicines and supplements, altering the metabolism of peppermint oil, affecting its effectiveness, and increasing the risk of side effects.
  • Ginkgo Biloba: Ginkgo Biloba and peppermint both have blood-thinning properties, increasing the risk of bleeding when taken together, especially for those already on blood thinners or those with bleeding disorders.

Order Peppermint Online

Why Professionals Choose the Fullscript Formulary

Your health is on the line. Health professionals know that many other online and retail options set a very low bar for quality–sometimes amazingly low. The Fullscript formulary is the most secure online source for the highest quality brands securely sourced to assure freshness and purity. Here’s what makes Fullscript the best:

  • Meticulous vetting of brand quality. Health professionals trust Fullscript to continuously monitor the quality of each item on the platform. Other retailers operate with profit as their highest or only motive when choosing brands. Fullscript cares only about quality and reliability. Unlike discount stores, large online marketplaces, and other retailers you won’t find ingredients sourced from China or other questionable locations or companies.
  • Free shipping over $50 and best prices when you order through Supplement Sciences.
  • Freshness. Fullscript prioritizes freshness over bulk buying even if it means an increased risk of briefly being out of stock.
  • Top quality phone and online support. When you call, knowledgeable humans at Fullscript answer your questions.
  • How It Works:
    • Easy Sign-up & No Spam Email: Click the “View Product” button below to be taken to Fullscript’s login page where you can quickly create your secure account with just your name, email, and phone number. Then you will be taken directly to the product page.
    • Wide variety of supplement options: Once you sign in to your account, you are not limited to the products listed below. You will see similar items listed at the bottom of each product page on Fullscript.
    • Search For What You Want: Once inside Fullscript, you can search for the exact brands and products you want from their wide selection of quality brands.

When you purchase linked products presented on this page, Supplement Sciences, LLC receives affiliate fees so that our dietitians can continue to create great content.

Thank you for your support!

Peppermint Gels by NOW Foods

Peppermint Oil has been recommended for centuries by traditional herbalists for the support of healthy digestion.* More recently, it has been found to support normal gastrointestinal function.* NOW® Peppermint Gels are enteric coated to allow passage through the stomach and release within the intestines where it can be helpful in providing relief from occasional minor bowel discomfort.*

  • Intestinal Comfort Formula*
  • With Ginger & Fennel Oils
  • Enteric Coated

Take 1-2 softgels 1 to 3 times daily, 30 minutes before meals.

Serving Size: Two Softgels

Amount Per Serving
Peppermint Oil … 362mg (Mentha piperita)
Ginger Oil … 35.2mg (Zingiber officinale)
Fennel Oil … 38.6mg (Foeniculum vulgare)


Food First!

Although this article discusses supplements in detail, don’t forget that we are absolutely committed to the “Food First” approach to nutrition. When it comes to your health, the totality of your eating habits far surpasses the impact of individual nutrients or any single supplement you consume. Even though this article doesn’t delve into the broader picture of your overall diet, it’s crucial to keep this element at the forefront of our minds. Your food needs to provide all the vitamins, minerals, fiber, and phytochemicals to nourish your body systems down to the cellular level.

Food choices, rather than supplements, are the most critical factors for a healthy gut microbiome. These trillions of tiny inhabitants in your gut affect your brain waves; they orchestrate your immune system. They possess the power to create molecules that can switch genes on or off and are even capable of synthesizing neurotransmitters. Opting for organic foods and steering clear of plastic packaging (including those labeled BPA-free) is a smart move to limit toxin exposure. The sum of all these parts leads to a powerful conclusion: the ultimate key to your health lies in the quality and balance of the food you consume. Supplements are secondary.

What To Eat

To Sum It Up

Incorporating peppermint supplements can offer a range of health benefits. From soothing digestive discomfort to relieving headaches and promoting respiratory health, peppermint’s natural properties provide a holistic approach to wellness. Its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties contribute to oral health and skincare, while its calming aroma can reduce stress and improve sleep quality. However, it’s essential to be mindful of potential interactions with certain medications and supplements. Overall, adding peppermint supplements to your regimen can be a simple yet effective way to support your overall health.


This Article is Not a Substitute for Medical Advice

Dietary supplements are not designed to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. The Supplement Sciences website seeks to provide comprehensive access to the most relevant supplement information along with convenient online ordering. We do not provide medical advice and cannot guarantee that every product suggested is completely without risk. Since each person is unique in their health history and medication use, it is important to discuss supplements with your personal physician. Specifically, pregnant women and individuals being treated for cancer or liver or kidney problems must consult their physician about every nutritional supplement they plan to take. People taking medications for the treatment of HIV or with a history of organ transplant must not take supplements without consulting with their physician.


About the Author

Supplement Sciences

If you have any thoughts on this article, feel free to share them with us by emailing them to reviews@supplement-sciences.com.

Leave a Reply