Peppermint essential oil for improved cognitive function

A double-blinded, placebo-controlled, cross-over clinical trial was conducted with 24 healthy individuals as study participants. Study participants were given placebo capsules or capsules containing either 1 or 2 drops of peppermint essential oil. Participants were asked to perform a number of tasks designed to test cognitive function and assessed for mental fatigue.

The researchers found that peppermint essential oil had a positive effect on cognition during the execution of difficult mental tasks. In addition, peppermint essential oil significantly reduced cognitive fatigue.

Reference:
Kennedy D, Okello E, Chazot P, et al. Volatile Terpenes and Brain Function: Investigation of the Cognitive and Mood Effects of Mentha × Piperita L. Essential Oil with In Vitro Properties Relevant to Central Nervous System Function. Nutrients. 2018;10(8). pii: E1029. doi: 10.3390/nu10081029.

Peppermint essential oil and cognitive function

A recent double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over clinical trial involving 24 individuals found peppermint essential oil had a positive effect on cognition during the execution of difficult mental tasks. In addition, peppermint essential oil significantly reduced cognitive fatigue.

Read the abstract here.

Reference: Kennedy D, Okello E, Chazot P, et al. Volatile Terpenes and Brain Function: Investigation of the Cognitive and Mood Effects of Mentha × Piperita L. Essential Oil with In Vitro Properties Relevant to Central Nervous System Function. Nutrients. 2018;10(8). pii: E1029. doi: 10.3390/nu10081029.

Essential oils and neck pain

A randomized controlled study involving 60 participants found that application of a cream with a 3% concentration of marjoram, black pepper, lavender, and peppermint resulted in improved pain tolerance and increased mobility relative to the control group. Read more here.


Reference
M.-C. Ou, Y.-F. Lee, C.-C. Li, and S.-K. Wu, “The effectiveness of essential oils for patients with neck 
pain: a randomized controlled study,” J. Altern. Complement. Med. N. Y. N, vol. 20, no. 10, pp. 771– 
779, Oct. 2014.

Peppermint and post-operative nausea

In a scientific study, inhaled peppermint essential oil was found to decrease post-operative nausea in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. Read the study abstract here.

Reference:

Briggs et al. 2016. Inhaled peppermint oil for postop nausea in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. Nursing 46(7):61-67.

Peppermint and irritable bowel syndrome

A double-blind placebo controlled studied randomized study found that a 4 week treatment with peppermint essential oil improves abdominal symptoms in patients with irritable bowel syndrome.

Read the scientific paper here.