Written by Jessica Patella, ND. A two-week topical application of peppermint oil significantly improved itching in the twenty-five participants with chronic pruritus compared to the control group.
Chronic pruritus is the medical term for chronic itching, which can be severe enough to impact a person’s daily activities 1. Pruritus is one of the most common skin complaints and recent research shows that peppermint oil can be effective in helping those with chronic itching. 1
Peppermint is a native plant to the Mediterranean region and is typically used in its food form or as an oil 1. Ancient records show peppermint has been used by Ancient Egyptians, Greeks and Romans for centuries, primarily for gastrointestinal concerns and nausea 1,2.
Chronic pruritus or itching is often a side effect of liver disease, kidney disease or diabetes 1. In this pilot study, 50 participants suffering from chronic pruritus (more than 6 weeks) from liver (n=15), kidney (n=16) or diabetic (n=19) side effects were included in the study 1.
Participants were randomly divided into two groups:
- Peppermint oil group (n=25): 5% peppermint oil in topical petroleum
- Control group (n=25): topical petroleum only
Participants were instructed to apply the preparations (peppermint or petroleum) topically by hand in the area of itching twice daily for 2-weeks 1.
Pruritus was measured according to the 5-D itch scale and the following results were observed:
| Before treatment | After treatment (2-weeks) | p-value | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Peppermint Oil Group | 15.18 +/- 3.55 | 7.94 +/- 3.28 | <0.05 |
| Petroleum Group | 14.52 +/- 2.09 | 13.47 +/- 3.73 | Not significant |
The above results show a significant improvement in itching in the peppermint oil group, with no change observed in the petroleum group 1. This indicates that peppermint oil can alleviate the sensation of itching via topical application over a two-week period 1.
There were only four participants that experienced adverse side effects and those four participants applied the peppermint oil in flexure areas (groin and armpit) and experienced a burning sensation. Otherwise, there were no adverse side effects 1.
In conclusion, topical application of peppermint oil was shown to improve the sensation of itching in participants suffering from chronic pruritus due to liver disease, kidney disease or diabetes 1. Researchers stated it was an effective, easy-to-use, cheap option for those that do not respond well to other treatments 1.
Source: Elsaie, Lotfy T., Abdelraouf M. El Mohsen, Ibrahim M. Ibrahim, Mahmoud H. Mohey-Eddin, and Mohamed L. Elsaie. “Effectiveness of topical peppermint oil on symptomatic treatment of chronic pruritus.” Clinical, cosmetic and investigational dermatology 9 (2016): 333.
© 2016 Elsaie et al. Creative Commons Attribution – Non Commercial (unported, v3.0) License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/).
Click here to read the full text study.
Posted September 28, 2017.
Jessica Patella, ND, is a naturopathic physician specializing in nutrition and homeopathic medicine and offers a holistic approach to health. She earned her ND from Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine in Tempe, AZ, and is a member of the North Carolina Association of Naturopathic Physicians. Visit her website at www.awarenesswellness.com.
References:
- Elsaie LT, El Mohsen AM, Ibrahim IM, Mohey-Eddin MH, Elsaie ML. Effectiveness of topical peppermint oil on symptomatic treatment of chronic pruritus. Clinical, cosmetic and investigational dermatology. 2016;9:333.
- Spirling LI, Daniels IR. Botanical perspectives on health peppermint: more than just an after-dinner mint. The journal of the Royal Society for the Promotion of Health. 2001;121(1):62-63.
