Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 3

Peppermint oil has been used both traditionally and in modern clinical practice to help relieve itching (pruritus). The active component menthol provides a cooling sensation when applied topically, which can help reduce the perception of itching. Several small clinical studies and case reports support its use: for example, a 2012 double-blind clinical trial published in the Iranian Journal of Nursing and Midwifery Research found that topical peppermint oil reduced pruritus severity in pregnant women compared to placebo. Another randomized controlled trial in the Journal of Dermatology (2016) demonstrated that a 5% peppermint oil solution was effective in reducing chronic pruritus in hemodialysis patients.

The proposed mechanism involves menthol activating cold-sensitive TRPM8 receptors in the skin, which leads to a cooling sensation and distracts from the itch signal. The oil also has mild local anesthetic properties that may further contribute to symptom relief. However, evidence is not robust or universal, as most studies are small and some are not blinded or controlled. More extensive research is needed to determine the efficacy and safety in larger and more diverse populations. Overall, while peppermint oil is not a first-line therapy, there is moderate scientific evidence supporting its use as an adjunctive or alternative treatment for certain types of itch, especially when conventional treatments are inadequate or contraindicated.

More about Peppermint
More about Itching

Other ingredients used for Itching

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Products containing Peppermint

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Integrative Therapeutics Y Formula