Evidence supporting the use of: Peppermint essence
For the health condition: Congestion (sinus)
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
Peppermint essence (derived from the essential oil of Mentha piperita) has a long history of traditional use for relieving congestion, especially in the context of sinus issues and colds. The primary active component, menthol, imparts a cooling sensation and is thought to help open nasal passages. Inhalation of peppermint vapors or the use of menthol-containing rubs is a common home remedy in many cultures for easing breathing discomfort.
However, scientific evidence supporting peppermint essence specifically for sinus congestion is limited. Some studies suggest that menthol may subjectively improve the sensation of nasal airflow, but objective measures do not consistently show improved airflow or decongestion. Reviews have concluded that menthol can make people feel as though their airways are more open, but it does not actually reduce nasal resistance or clear mucus. Most of the evidence comes from small, short-term studies or is extrapolated from the use of menthol in vapor rubs rather than pure peppermint essence. Thus, while the traditional use is strong and widely practiced, robust scientific validation remains lacking.
In summary, peppermint essence is traditionally used to support sinus congestion, primarily due to the perceived benefits of menthol, but current scientific evidence does not strongly confirm its efficacy for this purpose.
Other ingredients used for Congestion (sinus)
AllspiceAloe vera
alpha-pinene
basil
benegut perilla (proprietary)
beta-pinene
betel
black currant
black pepper
Indian frankincense
bupleurum falcatum
bасора
capsaicinoids
chamomile
chen pi
clove
Coptis chinensis
turmeric
echinacea purpurea
elderberry
fennel
forsythia
garlic bulb
ginger
onion
green tea
horseradish
licorice root
lovage
Mint
mustard seed
spruce
oregano
Peppermint
perilla
pomegranate
quercetin
rosemary
sage
shiitake mushroom
spearmint leaf
Sphaeranthus indicus
thyme
vitamin C
Wasabi
boneset
hyssop
cardamom
atractylodes
Mugwort
malabar nut
alpinia galangal
ferula assafoetida
inula racemosa
anise
blackboard tree
lemongrass
Yerba santa
coltsfoot
chrysanthemum
juniper berries
sweet flag
oriental arborvitae
Trichosanthes
zanthoxylum
eucalyptus
Menthol oil
horehound
Sichuan pepper
cayenne pepper
sea salt
Agastache
alpha-terpineol
Allicin
Asarum heterotropoides
Aconite
asafoetida
andrographolide
Adrenergic amines
Asteraceae
Allyl isothiocyanate
Allium tuberosum
Amor seco
Arisaema
Asarum sieboldii
Alantolactone
atractylone
black seed
Baphicacanthus cusia
bicarbonate
balsam
bishop\'s weed
bayleaf
bitter grass
Bougainvillea
bee hive
bioflavonoids
black salt
bee products
Buddha\'s hand
borage
balloon flower
Belamcanda
borneol
Camellia sinensis
Clerodendrum trichotomum
coriander
Citrus
cineole
cajuput
Chinese raisintree
carvone
Cistus
calamus
cinnamaldehyde
Carthamus
Chondrus
dragonhead
Ephedra
European Elder
English horsemint
Echinacea
Elder
ephedrine
eugenol
fang-feng
frankincense
Gnaphalium
gamma-terpinene
Gallesia
Gardenia jasminoides
Galangal
honey
Hedyotis
Houttuynia
Horsemint
Isatis
long pepper
Ivy
Ledebouriella
Litsea
Lomatium
Laggera pterodonta
limonene
Ligustrazin
labrador tea
Ligusticum
Mustard
Marjoram
Marsh Tea
Monoterpenes
Meadow sage
Mucolase
Nardostachys
Nigella seed
Nutmeg
Osha
Orris
Osmanthus
Phellodendron
Pepper
Paris polyphylla
Pyrrosia
Piper retrofractum
Piper nigrum
Rhus coriaria
ravinsara
Sabadilla
Sichuan Lovage
Sophora
Smartweed
Sesquiterpenes
Solanum indicum
Sambucus nigra
Sagebrush
Sandalwood
Scabrous Gentian
Sundew
Sassafras
Thymus
Vervain
Vasicine
Viola
Vasicinone
Wulinshen
Winter Savory
Yuzu
Yerba buena
Zedoary
Zingerone
Other health conditions supported by Peppermint essence
Abdominal PainAcid Indigestion
Afterbirth Pain
Belching
Canker Sores
Colds (decongestant)
Colds (general)
Congestion
Congestion (bronchial)
Congestion (sinus)
Gas and Bloating
Gastritis
Headache (general)
Headache (sinus)
Headache (tension)
Indigestion
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Nausea and Vomiting
Pain (general remedies for)
Sinus Infection
Sore Throat
Toothache