Peppermint Oil For Migraine And Headache Relief - Healthline

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Peppermint Oil for Migraine and Headache Relief

Medically reviewed by Kerry Boyle D.Ac., M.S., L.Ac., Dipl. Ac., CYT — Written by James Roland — Updated on May 23, 2024

How to use
Where to buy
Side effects
Research
Prevention
Other tips
See a doctor

Some people report that peppermint essential oil helps relieve headache pain. While researchers suspect it may increase blood flow to relieve pain, more research is needed.

Recently, many people have been discussing using peppermint essential oil for headaches. While there aren’t many high quality studies to confirm the efficacy of peppermint oil, some researchers suspect that it helps control blood flow in the body and opens up the sinuses for better oxygen flow.

Many people also report using this essential oil to relieve their migraine and other types of headaches.

You can find peppermint oil:

as a liquid (essential oil)
in tea
in candy or other edibles

Keep reading to learn how to use peppermint oil to relieve headaches. While some types of headaches, such as sinus and tension headaches, may respond better to peppermint oil than others, the methods of use are the same.

While research suggests there are health benefits, the FDA doesn’t monitor or regulate the purity or quality of essential oils. It’s important to talk with a healthcare professional before you begin using essential oils, and be sure to research the quality of a brand’s products. Always do a patch test before trying a new essential oil.

5 ways to use peppermint oil for headaches

1. Put a few drops in your bath

Taking a bath can help decrease headache intensity. Add a few drops of diluted peppermint oil to your bath to really increase the relaxation benefits. If your headache gets worse with bright lights, turn the bathroom lights off and use a candle. Try taking a bath to prevent a headache from coming on or worsening.

2. Inhale peppermint oil with steam

Pour hot water into a bowl and add 3 to 7 drops of essential oil. Cover your head with a towel, close your eyes, and breathe through your nose. Do this for no more than 2 minutes. Steam inhalation can help with sinus headaches, especially if you also have symptoms of congestion.

3. Add it to your massage oil

Essential oils need to be diluted in a carrier oil before being applied directly to the skin. Usually, the recommended ratio is 3 to 5 drops of essential oil to 1 ounce of sweet almond oil, warmed coconut oil, or mineral oil. People with nut allergies should always avoid nut-based oils.

Before applying any essential oil, do an allergy test. Mix 3 to 5 drops of essential oil with 1 ounce of your favorite carrier oil. Apply the mixture to the skin of your forearm. If there is no reaction within 24 to 48 hours, the essential oil should be safe to use.

Dab a couple of drops of your oil mixture onto your fingers and massage it onto your temples, the back of your neck, your shoulders, and your chest area. Tension headaches are often caused by muscle contractions in this part of your body.

Research also shows that a 30-minute massage can help relieve headache symptoms within 24 hours. To make a homemade massage oil, add a few drops of peppermint oil to an ounce of carrier oil.

4. Diffuse it into the air

Use a diffuser to help diffuse the oil into the air. You can also inhale peppermint oil directly from the bottle. If the scent is too strong, add a few drops to a cloth, cotton ball, or tissue and breathe it in. Avoid incense sticks, as the smoke may worsen your headache symptoms.

5. Drink peppermint tea

Peppermint essential oil shouldn’t be taken orally, but you can make tea using peppermint leaves. According to a 2016 study, drinking peppermint tea may help you think more clearly and feel more alert.

You can also try eating peppermint or menthol candy, which has been used for digestive ailments for centuries.

When buying peppermint oil

You can buy peppermint oil at a local health store or online. Be cautious when buying peppermint oil or any essential oil. Always buy from a reputable source that states where it’s harvested.

Peppermint oil can also interact with compounds found in prescription drugs. If you’re currently taking medication, talk with a doctor or pharmacist before using peppermint oil.

Are there any risks to using peppermint oil?

Peppermint oil is generally safe, but large doses can be toxic. When taken orally, it’s known to cause heartburn. As for peppermint leaf tea, there are no reports of harmful effects, but the long-term safety of drinking peppermint tea over time is unknown.

Avoid peppermint oil

for infants or children, especially if it’s undiluted
if you have gallbladder disease, gallstones, chronic heartburn, or kidney problems
if you have sensitive skin or are allergic
orally when taking medication, as it can slow absorption rate
if pregnant or nursing

Using peppermint oil for headaches during pregnancy

Peppermint oil has not been studied enough to encourage use during pregnancy or nursing. Children and infants should not inhale peppermint oil.

How does it work?

Researchers have studied peppermint oil’s benefits for headaches for decades. A review of essential oils and aromatherapy suggested that peppermint oil may work for headaches. According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, limited research suggests that peppermint oil works for tension headaches.

The active ingredient in peppermint oil is menthol. About 44% of peppermint is menthol, which may also lessen the intensity of acute migraine attacks. One study found that a topical gel with 6% menthol decreased pain intensity after 2 hours.

Peppermint oil is also shown to be effective for the additional symptoms that migraine, sinus, tension, and cluster headaches may cause, such as:

nausea
stress
congestion
runny nose
muscle pain

Tips for headache prevention

Specific triggers cause some headaches, so if you know the trigger, you can take additional steps for relief. Look at the table below for tips.

Trigger	Treatment
stress	For stress, inhale lavender oil instead of peppermint.
alcohol consumption, or hangovers	Drink lots of water and electrolytes and take a nap. If you feel tightness around your neck and shoulders, make sure you have neck support before resting.
dehydration	Drink a sports drink for rehydration. Avoid sweet drinks, caffeine, and soda.
flu or cold	Drink ginger and lemon tea to help fight the flu or a cold.
bright lights	Take a break from your current environment and walk outside or to a new room.
pain	Take aspirin for pain or apply a cold pack (wrapped in a towel) to your head. Children and teens should not be given aspirin.

What else you can do for relief

Headaches that are caused by a trigger can often be prevented. Try these tips:

To prevent headaches

Try regular hot baths, which help with relaxation and prevent headaches.
Stay hydrated by drinking at least 8 glasses of water a day.
Eat a healthy diet, and avoid foods that may trigger migraine, such as red wine and aged cheeses.
Avoid skipping meals.
Practice good sleep hygiene and get at least 7 to 8 hours of sleep per night.
Practice good posture to avoid headaches caused by tight neck or shoulder muscles.
Manage stress with self-care exercises such as yoga or meditation.

When should you see a doctor?

Generally, a headache will subside within a few hours or days. See a doctor if your headache persists for more than a few days or gets increasingly worse.

Seek emergency care if your headache is due to trauma or a concussion or if it comes on very suddenly for no apparent reason. You should also see a doctor if your headache is accompanied by one or more of the following symptoms:

trouble walking or moving
confusion
slurred speech
fainting or falling
fever higher than 102°F (39°C)
numbness or weakness in one part of your body
weak vision
difficulty speaking
nausea or vomiting
stiffness in the neck, arms, or legs

Your doctor can help diagnose the type of headache you have, and what’s causing your headache.

How we reviewed this article:

SourcesHistoryHealthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

Ali B, et al. (2015). Essential oils used in aromatherapy: A systemic review.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2221169115001033
Cyr As, et al. (2015). Efficacy and tolerability of STOPAIN for migraine attack.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4316718/
Goerg KJ, et al. (2003). Effect of peppermint oil and caraway oil on gastrointestinalmotility in healthy volunteers: A pharmacodynamic study using simultaneousdetermination of gastric and gall-bladder emptying and orocaecal transit time.http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1046/j.1365-2036.2003.01421.x/full
Kanji G, et al. (2015). Efficacy of regular sauna bathing for chronic tension-typeheadache: A randomized controlled study.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25636135
Keifer D, et al. (2008). Peppermint (mentha xpiperita): An evidence-based systematicreview by the Natural Standard Research Collaboration.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18285310
Moraska AF, et al. (2015). Myofascial trigger point-focused head and neck massage for recurrent tension-type headache: A randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4286457/
Peppermint oil. (2016).https://nccih.nih.gov/health/peppermintoil
Safety information. (n.d.).https://naha.org/explore-aromatherapy/safety

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Medically reviewed by Kerry Boyle D.Ac., M.S., L.Ac., Dipl. Ac., CYT — Written by James Roland — Updated on May 23, 2024

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