Can you overuse peppermint oil?

Author: Dr. Alvah Mohr  |  Last update: Thursday, September 18, 2025

Its side effects are claimed to be usually mild and minimally toxic (gastro esophageal reflux, heartburns, nausea, vomiting, allergic reactions and diarrhea). High doses could be hepatotoxic[2] and nephrotoxic (rarely interstitial nephritis and acute renal failure).

Can you use too much peppermint oil?

Poisonous Ingredient. Menthol is the ingredient in peppermint oil that can be poisonous in large amounts.

Is it bad to use peppermint oil every day?

Keep taking peppermint oil until your symptoms improve. Common side effects include heartburn and indigestion. If you've bought peppermint oil from a pharmacy or shop, do not take it for longer than 2 weeks without checking with a doctor.

Is peppermint oil hard on the kidneys?

Peppermint oil has other downsides besides its effects on the lower esophageal sphincter. At high doses, it can be toxic to the kidneys, and you should not take it if you have gallstones or active gallbladder inflammation.

Is it bad to breathe in a lot of peppermint oil?

Yes, it's perfectly fine to breathe in 5 drops of peppermint oil. This is one of the safest ways to ingest essential oils. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends adding 2-3 drops to a warm washcloth and dabbing it onto spots that itch or irritate you.

Peppermint Oil: Nature's Answer to Common Health Problems

What do mice do when they smell peppermint oil?

The smell of peppermint oil disturbs mice and often keeps them away. Mice rely heavily on their keen sense of smell, and the strong scent of peppermint can be irritating and overwhelming to them.

What is the strongest essential oil for pain?

Which Essential Oils Are Best For Pain? One of Mother nature's most powerful painkillers, peppermint oil is frequently used for alleviating pain [1]. Closely related to peppermint, wintergreen oil boasts similar properties due to its methyl salicylate component.

Who should avoid peppermint oil?

Peppermint oil should not be applied to the face of infants or young children because serious side effects may occur if they inhale the menthol in the oil. Little is known about whether it's safe to use peppermint oil during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.

How long does peppermint oil stay in your system?

In general, essential oils can stay in your bloodstream for up to 24 hours.

What happens if you inhale too much essential oil?

Potential risks: Inhalation of certain essential oils can trigger asthma symptoms in sensitive individuals. Strong odors, such as those from essential oils, may act as irritants and lead to bronchoconstriction (tightening of the smooth muscles around the airways), coughing, or shortness of breath.

Is it bad to sleep with peppermint oil?

Many essential oils may help to promote relaxation and sleep. Examples include lavender, chamomile, and peppermint. Essential oils may not work for everyone, and a person may need to try several before finding one that works best for them.

What bugs does peppermint oil repel?

What pests do peppermint oil repel?
  • Aphids.
  • Beetles.
  • Caterpillars.
  • Fleas.
  • Flies.
  • Lice.
  • Mice.
  • Moths.

Is inhaling menthol bad for you?

There are calcium and sodium channels in cell membranes throughout our bodies, and that is why we can see systemic toxicity after swallowing or inhaling concentrated amounts of menthol. Serious effects include seizures, coma, and death. Menthol can cause eye and skin irritation.

What are the negatives of peppermint oil?

Peppermint can cause some side effects including heartburn, dry mouth, nausea, and vomiting. When applied to the skin: Peppermint oil is likely safe. When given as an enema (rectally): Peppermint oil is likely safe. When inhaled: Peppermint oil is possibly safe when used as part of aromatherapy.

How many drops of peppermint oil is safe?

Peppermint oil dosage

It's generally recommended that adults can take between 0.2 to 0.4ml of peppermint oil in capsule form up to three times a day. For headache relief, apply 10% of peppermint essential oil diluted with a carrier oil, such as almond oil, sparingly to the skin.

Does peppermint oil repel mosquitoes?

The longer the complete protection time, the better the repellent will protect against mosquito bites. This bar chart shows how many minutes different essential oils will protect a person's skin from mosquito bites. Clove, cinnamon, geranoil, and peppermint oil are the most effective.

What does too much peppermint oil do?

Swallowing large amounts of peppermint oil may cause difficulty with balance and walking, confusion, and coma. The dose at which peppermint oil becomes toxic has not been determined.

Can I leave peppermint oil overnight?

Leave it on

Once you've massaged the peppermint oil fully into your scalp, allow it to sit for at-least another five minutes before rinsing. To really activate your hair follicles and encourage healthy hair, let the peppermint oil work anywhere from an hour to overnight.

Does peppermint oil keep mice away?

While peppermint oils repel mice, their effectiveness as a standalone solution for mouse infestations is limited. Many user experiences indicate that these pesky critters may grow accustomed to the smell over time, reducing its rodent-repellent impact.

Is peppermint oil hard on kidneys?

Kidney Failure

When consumed in large quantities, peppermint oil can cause kidney failure as well due to the inflammation caused in the kidneys.

Is peppermint good before bed?

Proven to help you nod off and sleep for longer, peppermint tea is another great option for a pre-bedtime drink. The essential oils in peppermint tea can help relax your muscles, setting the scene for a peaceful night of sleep. Rich in antioxidants, there are lots of other benefits of peppermint tea too.

Is peppermint oil anti-inflammatory?

Studies demonstrate that peppermint oil (menthol) possesses anti-inflammatory activity. Oral administration of peppermint oil prevents both xylene induced gut inflammation in mice and acetic acid induced colitis in rats. In vitro, menthol suppresses the production of inflammatory mediators from human monocytes.

How to use peppermint oil for joint pain?

How to use. Combine peppermint oil and eucalyptus oil (8 drops) is equal quantities and mix it with a carrier oil such as moringa oil (known to have anti-inflammatory properties) and massage on your joints.

What is the most anti-inflammatory essential oil?

What is the strongest anti-inflammatory essential oil? While several essential oils possess anti-inflammatory properties, thyme essential oil stands out as one of the most potent essential oil for inflammation. that thyme oil can reduce the COX-2 enzyme, which is associated with inflammation, by up to 75%.

What oil is best for nerve pain?

The research mentioned above included lavender, bergamot, tea tree, geranium, rosemary, blue chamomile, and lemon eucalyptus oils. Other studies show that bergamot, cinnamon, geranium, ginger, lavender, and lemongrass essential oils may help ease pain.

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