The herb peppermint, a natural cross between two types of mint (water mint and spearmint), grows throughout Europe and North America. Website: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/. When I was breastfeeding, my son was unable to nurse, so I exclusively pumped, and had a very good idea of how many ounces per day I would produce. The essential oil doesn’t extract well in tea anyway, depending on how you prepare it (decoction, infusion, lid on or off, time steeping, etc), so I’m particularly comfortable with mint teas during lactation. Medical Science Monitor, 13(9), Cr406-411, Shanazi, M., Farshbaf Khalili, A., Kamalifard, M. et al (2015). Peppermint oil in a gel, water, or cream applied topically to the nipple area of breastfeeding women might be helpful for reducing pain and cracked skin. It had no negative effect on me whatsoever. It is worth considering peppermint gel or infusion topically the first few days of breastfeeding to prevent nipple cracking & pain… The mode of use varied widely, adding strength to the argument that this is a real effect. Put it together, stopped diffusing, supply went back up. But it may be useful when weaning, or if there is engorgement for other reasons. The DigestZen ® Digestive Blend is doTERRA… I generally advised caution if there was already an issue with low supply or baby not nursing well, just to be on the safe side. Capsules containing peppermint oil are often enteric-coated to reduce the likelihood of heartburn. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The carrier oils will allow the oil to settle in your breast, for a while. I diffused a blend, not even thinking about the peppermint. Pine (essential oil): Contraindicated during pregnancy and breast-feeding. Milk from cows treated with Japanese peppermint oil does not have to be withheld. A service of the National Library of Medicine, PubMed® contains publication information and (in most cases) brief summaries of articles from scientific and medical journals. This includes … I’ve used it both singly & in blends, properly diluted, while breastfeeding & it has never affected my supply. I could inhale it only. Peppermint oil is the essential oil taken from the flowering parts and leaves of the peppermint plant. Rarely, peppermint oil can cause allergic reactions. However, if you search online, you will find various lists of herbs that are reputed to decrease milk supply, but again there is no solid reference for this. If you're a breastfeeding parent who wants to be discreet when feeding in public, a nursing cover is a must. So I wanted to find out for myself to what extent this was real. It would continue for as long as I would have contact with the oil, then come back up a few days after stopping. Possible side effects of peppermint oil taken orally include heartburn, nausea, abdominal pain, and dry mouth. I use it all the time with absolutely no effect. So that’s a total of 16 that used just peppermint oil, and in various ways. Sage tea is also rumored to decrease milk supply: Sage is typically the herb they say to avoid, as well. You can dilute the thing with vegetable oil with high quality. "Essential oils commonly used on the skin such as camphor and tea tree oil are toxic to humans if ingested; if a breastfeeding mother rubs some on her skin and then touches her nipples or … Do not use with children younger than two years old. Today, peppermint is promoted for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), other digestive problems, the common cold, sinus infections, headaches, and other conditions. I didn’t use peppermint essential oil, but I did have a decrease in supply after eating mint chocolate ice cream or mint candy. With hindsight, perhaps I should have asked about peppermint use in breastfeeding groups. In other research, 18 nursing mothers ingested capsules containing 100 mg of menthol (equivalent to 6-8 drops of peppermint oil) on three consecutive days, and small amounts of menthol were measured in their milk over the next eight hours (Hausner et al 2008). Acid Reflux: 4. Luckily I realized in time and was able to get my milk back. At vix scriptaset patrioque scribentur, at pro fugit erts verterem molestiae, sed et vivendo ali Lorem ipsum ex vix illud nonummy, novum tation et his. Peppermint oil appears to be safe when taken orally (by mouth) or applied topically in the doses commonly used. I used it to break a fever of 104 for 5 days that nothing else was touching. [Database subscription]. I used it when weaning. Mothers who pumped had the opportunity to measure how much their milk supply was reduced: Yes, it decreased my milk supply up to 3oz. Okay for pregnancy but avoid during breastfeeding because it may reduce milk supply. Peppermint has been used for health purposes for several thousand years. Contamination: 3. Robert Tisserand is a speaker, educator and consultant on the science and benefits of essential oils and their safe and effective application, and in 1977 he wrote the first English language book on aromatherapy. 1–2 capsules 3 times a day for up to 3 months if necessary, capsule to be swallowed whole with water. Very little research has been done on peppermint leaf. Avoid using peppermint oil … Fortunately, most of these herbs don’t causeproblems unless they are consumed regularly or in large amounts. In addition to teaching online courses, in recent years he has inspired live audiences in Europe, Asia, North America and South America. I asked follow-up questions to most, but for some I didn’t because by that point I had enough of a clear picture. Clearly, some mothers are affected and others are not. The following are just examples: Inhalation for migraine was enough to drastically reduce mine. A single drop and my supply would take a huge hit. Small Business Research Grant Program (SBIR), About Research Training and Career Development, Training Grant Application, Review, and Award Process, Integrative Medicine Research Lecture Series, Division of Extramural Research Sponsored by NCCIH, Division of Intramural Research Conducted at NCCIH, Know the Science: How Medications and Supplements Can Interact, Know the Science: 9 Questions To Help You Make Sense of Health Research, How To Find Information About Complementary Health Approaches on PubMed, Dietary Supplements: What You Need to Know. However, milk supply is not mentioned in either report. I had back labour and was still in muscle pain. Peppermint is a common flavoring agent in foods and beverages, and peppermint oil is used as a fragrance in soaps and cosmetics. Both peppermint leaves and the essential oil from peppermint have been used for health purposes. Not that we really need more corroboration, but this is strong evidence of a cause-effect relationship and not just a correlation. Inhaled 2-3 times a day for maybe two days. There may be situations where you wonder if peppermint oil … Now she is over 2 years, I use peppermint and it seems to have no effect on my supply. Not everyone had used just 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. Peppermint. Reduction In Blood Sugar Level: 5. So I decided to ask my Facebook audience, where we posted the message below on December 2nd 2016. Rub your hands together to warm the oils. What is Peppermint Good for when Breastfeeding? Together, you can make shared, well-informed decisions. I use topically & ingest it. Minor ingredients include 1,8-cineole, pulegone, bitter substances, caffeic acid, flavonoids, and tannins. Six used it with other oils, and 5 used mint in multiple forms (peppermint oil, tea, toothpaste etc.). Japanese Peppermint oil is used by dairy farmers to treat mastitis in dairy cows. Oregano you can just mix in your food and it will help lower your supply, but it is not as effective as peppermint … You'll be the first to read our articles and learn about new learning opportunities. I breastfeed for more than 5yrs (3 kids) and it does affect me, even if I just inhale it so no peppermint for us. I believe this is the first attempt to find out whether peppermint oil does reduce milk supply by collecting reports, along with how, and how much peppermint oil was used. A limited amount of evidence suggests that peppermint oil applied topically might be beneficial for tension headaches. Even a small amount of peppermint oil will reduce milk supply for some women Among those who reported no effect, some were trying to reduce their supply because they were weaning. Fennel Essential Oil: Fennel essential oil plays a vital role in increasing the secretion of estrogen … Required fields are marked *. Yes it is. Spearmint oil offers many of the same benefits as Peppermint oil, but serves as a milder option to help with sensitivity or stomach upset that occurs during pregnancy. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with your health care provider. Side Effects Of Peppermint Tea While Breastfeeding: 1. It definitely reduced swelling, but I can’t say that it decreased milk supply since I was going to do that no matter what. But sage, spearmint and peppermint have little in common apart from belonging to the massive Lamiaceae family, so this merely deepens the mystery of why this happens. Peppermint is a purported galactogogue; how… Duplication is encouraged. The impact of peppermint oil on the irritable bowel syndrome: a meta-analysis of the pooled clinical data. However, why peppermint oil affects some and not others is not known, and our poll shed no light on this. On the occasions that I used it topically (2-3x per day on the back of my neck), or directly inhaled it, I would see a decrease by the next day, anywhere from 1-4 ounces total. I swore I saw decrease in my production with even a couple of peppermint candies. My milk decreased after repeatedly using peppermint over a long period of time. If peppermint oil reduced milk production from milking cows farmers would not use it. I diffused it without thinking at work and noticed a significant decrease in what I was able to pump. A gentle way to begin is to add 1 drop of essential oil per 1 tablespoon of carrier oil. Peppermint and sage are reputed to decrease milk production when consumed in large or concentrated amounts. I used it almost exclusively for headache medicine when I was nursing (1-2 drops neat, split between my temples, forehead, and back of neck. I used internally, and aromatically and it didn’t do anything to my supply. Some women don’t see a huge drop in their milk supply when it is used but, many do. One small study suggests that peppermint oil in enteric-coated capsules may reduce abdominal pain in some children. The oil is considered an effective cure for … Zero effect~ I used it to TRY and dry myself up… nada. In fact, peppermint oil taken alone may worsen indigestion in some people and cause unwanted side effects. Little is known about whether it’s safe to use peppermint oil during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. Journal of Caring Sciences, 4(4), 297–307. I exclusively pumped, and was part of a Facebook group with 14k members that all exclusively pumped as well, and we all avoided peppermint anything, menthol, decongestants and sage like the plague. In my experience I’ve found peppermint is like many other things recommended for nursing moms to stay away from, every woman is different. However, it’s worth noting that the most obvious active constituent in peppermint oil is menthol, and yet while peppermint oil contains 30-50% menthol, spearmint oil only contains 0.5-1%, about 50 times less. As with the mothers who found that their milk supply was reduced, those who found no effect used peppermint oil in all possible ways. A small amount of research has been conducted on peppermint oil, primarily focusing on IBS. I’ve used it topically and in a personal inhaler and have never noticed any difference. Two essential oils are known to have potential negative effects on milk supply: Peppermint and Clary sage. Reduces Breast Milk Supply: 2. However, the long-term safety of consuming large amounts of peppermint leaf is unknown. I used it topically diluted with coconut oil – a drop on each temple and one on the back of my neck. Robert is the principal of The Tisserand Institute. Maybe try initially on one nipple to see how it affects you. To dilute the oil, add one drop of the essential oil to one teaspoon of a carrier oil like olive oil. Records from ancient Greece, Rome, and Egypt mention that it was used for digestive disorders and other conditions. Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Complementary Health Approaches, U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, 9000 Rockville Pike Bethesda, Maryland 20892, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Lorem ipsum ex vix illud nonummy, novum tation et his. Petitgrain (Citrus x aurantium) – Thought to … Peppermint has been used in alternative medicine as a possibly effective aid in treating irritable bowel syndrome, breast feeding discomfort, heartburn, migraines, tension headache and to reduce spasms during endoscopy and colon exams. I was extremely sensitive to peppermint. Recipe for Breast Comfort while Breastfeeding Create a blend of two drops Melrose, 2 drops Lavender, and 2 drops carrier oil. Review article: the physiological effects and safety of peppermint oil and its efficacy in irritable bowel syndrome and other functional disorders. Learn how your comment data is processed. Side effects of applying peppermint oil to the skin can include skin rashes and irritation. And let’s not forget, with any type of medicinal or herbal preparation, not everyone is affected in the same way. Physiology & Behavior, 95(1–2), 118–124, Melli, M. S., Rashidi, M. R., Nokhoodchi, A. et al (2007). But even in this study, milk production was not reported. Our … What we found from our poll was that 30% (50 of 166) reported peppermint oil reducing their milk supply, and 70% (116 of 166) said that it had no effect. American College of Gastroenterology monograph on management of irritable bowel syndrome. Supplements with peppermint oil dropped my milk supply significantly. What Is Peppermint Oil? Peppermint tea, which is made from peppermint leaves, appears to be safe. It took a few days and a lot of effort to get my supply back to normal. tty (for deaf and hard-of-hearing callers): Email: info@nccih.nih.gov (link sends e-mail). In the past my answer to this question was always that I didn’t know, and that there was no research on this. But it did answer my most pressing question – is this a real issue for some women? ODS seeks to strengthen knowledge and understanding of dietary supplements by evaluating scientific information, supporting research, sharing research results, and educating the public. A few studies have indicated that specific products containing peppermint oil plus caraway oil and specific combination products that include peppermint leaves may help relieve indigestion. Your email address will not be published. I also used enteric-coated peppermint capsules for IBS.) I didn’t use peppermint oil, but foods with it had a big impact! Your email address will not be published. Differential transfer of dietary flavour compounds into human breast milk. It doesn’t seem to have as strong an effect as something like decongestant, however. Two comments mentioned spearmint tea as being effective, for example: Even spearmint tea causes a decrease for me. Had to look closely at blends, soap, facial, hair & spa products before using. If enteric-coated peppermint oil capsules are taken at the same time as antacids, the coating can break down too quickly. In: Blumenthal M, Goldberg A, Brinckmann J, eds.Â, Peppermint. Two of the 50 I included just used peppermint tea. Natural Medicines website. I tried it while weaning. You can work up to 1 drop of essential oil per 1 teaspoon of carrier oil … What Is Complementary, Alternative, or Integrative Health? This publication is not copyrighted and is in the public domain. Restored as soon as I quit. I was diffusing peppermint as well as using some to clear my airways when stuffy. I also treated the pain and swelling of mastitis with a topical blend containing peppermint diluted at 3%, and did not notice a decrease in supply. Peppermint contains... Peppermint tea breastfeeding: Some mothers drink peppermint tea to reduce pain after a c-section… Peppermint. Peppermint oil has been safely used in many clinical trials. But even if it’s only 20% and not 30%, it’s still a significant minority. The number one oil you want to use caution with while breastfeeding is peppermint. If antibiotics are infused into the cows udder or given by injection the antibiotics are passed into the milk itself. 1–2 capsules 3 times a day for up to 3 months if necessary, … Peppermint (and spearmint) can potentially decrease milk supply…but not necessarily. I used it while my babe was barely 3 months old. There are studies in which peppermint oil was used by breastfeeding women, but none of them looked at the milk supply issue. I used 2-3 drops in 3tbsp coconut oil on my feet and calves. Traditionally, peppermint oil (in addition to several other herbs) has been … Another 6 ingested peppermint oil, some in candy, but no other oils, and four diffused just peppermint oil. Its resources include publications (such as Dietary Supplements: What You Need to Know), fact sheets on a variety of specific supplement ingredients and products (such as vitamin D and multivitamin/mineral supplements), and the PubMed Dietary Supplement Subset. At vix scripta patrioque scribentur... © 2015 - 2020 Tisserand Institute | All Rights Reserved | Terms & Conditions | Design by Rita Suzanne. There’s not enough evidence to allow any conclusions to be reached about whether peppermint oil is helpful for other conditions. I struggled with producing enough for just my baby till I was forced to give up around 7 months. It was taking a serious strain and toll on my mental health. It broke the fever immediately and it never came back but my milk supply took a serious hit and took three days to recover. Cover with a shirt, towel, … Milk supply increased when I stopped using peppermint. Causes Allergies: Do not apply strong oils in a place where the baby will breathe them in. We received many detailed responses, and everyone who I asked for more information was happy to give it. The same was true for treats and teas that contained actual peppermint leaf (or extract). NCCIH has provided this material for your information. I dropped a couple drops in water a few times a day for appetite control. My ex put Japanese peppermint oil on my low back about ten days after I gave birth. Herbal medicines for gastrointestinal disorders in children and adolescents: a systematic review. The consensus of opinion is that there is more likely to be an effect before lactation is firmly established, and certainly peppermint should be avoided if there are problems in producing milk. Peppermint oil should therefore be used only after breastfeeding and then wiped off before the next breastfeeding session. Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed) [Internet]. Some are affected and some are not. I did use it, topically and internally while breastfeeding and nothing happened! In aromatherapy, peppermint oil is promoted for treating coughs and colds, reducing pain, improving mental function, and reducing stress. It was worth it though. In quite a few cases, even small amounts of peppermint oil had an effect, for example: Decreased. Diluted ratio 1:7. I used it religiously to dry up my supply while weaning – nothing. The short answer is, yes. In two clinical trials at the Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, a gel … Peppermint Oil is an herbal supplement that has found to be effective as treatment for colic, common cold, dysmenorrhea, indigestion, inflammation of mouth/pharynx, irritable bowel syndrome, nausea, vomiting, pain, respiratory infections, and tension headaches.. Peppermint Oil is available under the following different brand names: Lavandulae aetheroleum, Balm Mint, Black Peppermint… Currently there’s no way to predict whether peppermint oil will affect your milk supply, so caution is needed, even with peppermint tea and peppermint-flavored confections. Check whether the oil needs to be steamed or warmed before usage. CDC health information   NIH research information, Common Names: peppermint, peppermint oil. But if I use more than 10 drops in one day, it affects. I used a peppermint inhaler occasionally for headaches with no effect on supply. Also dilute the oil before applying it to your breast. Let me hasten to add that this is not scientific research, and it’s not even a controlled survey where each person answers a carefully crafted set of questions. The evidence for herbal and botanical remedies, Part 1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK501851/. My theory is if you are not yet firmly established, you will be more susceptible to its effects. (Essential oils are very concentrated oils containing substances that give a plant its characteristic odor or flavor.). Peppermint … I wasn’t big into EO use at that time, but one of my favorites to smell and use for tension in my neck happened to be peppermint. Peppermint (caution when breastfeeding)* * There are experts that say Peppermint will decrease your milk supply (this would include Peppermint Tea and Peppermint Essential Oil); … I had heard that peppermint oil reduced milk supply in some mothers, but I could find no reliable information, nor could Camille Freeman, associate professor at the Maryland University of Integrative Health  After searching a number of herbal texts she found just one anecdotal report of lactation being inhibited from eating Altoid mints, in The Nursing Mother’s Herbal. Mint decreased my supply. Menthol, which is in peppermint oil, should … Parsley (leaf): Avoid in excess during pregnancy and breast feeding. With just a few drops a day, my milk almost completely dried up in 2 days. No effect at all – ouch! Differential transfer of dietary flavour compounds into human breast milk, A randomized trial of peppermint gel, lanolin ointment, and placebo gel to prevent nipple crack in primiparous breastfeeding women, Comparison of the effects of lanolin, peppermint, and dexpanthenol creams on treatment of traumatic nipples in breastfeeding mothers. (That’s 2 drops of essential oil in 1 oz of base). Peppermint oil is promoted for topical use (applied to the skin) for problems like headache, muscle aches, joint pain, and itching. Comparison of the effects of lanolin, peppermint, and dexpanthenol creams on treatment of traumatic nipples in breastfeeding mothers. Avoiding the nipple is … The mention of any product, service, or therapy is not an endorsement by NCCIH. Peppermint … The COVID-19 outbreak is a rapidly evolving situation. Peppermint oil in a gel, water, or cream applied topically to the nipple area of breastfeeding women might be helpful for reducing pain and cracked skin. By mouth. He was privileged to receive a Lifetime Achievement Award from the AIA in Denver in 2007, and in 2014 he co-authored the second edition of Essential Oil Safety, which has helped set industry safety standards. See how that works for you. But it did help with the pain. One comment confirmed that what I found is nothing new: I’m a former LLL leader and have talked to many nursing moms over years. Your main concern with nursing and essential oils will be regarding milk supply and quality. I noticed a decrease when diffusing. The Clearinghouse does not provide medical advice, treatment recommendations, or referrals to practitioners. Essential oils, Part V: peppermint oil, lavender oil, and lemongrass oil. A small amount of research suggests that peppermint oil might be helpful to reduce spasms during certain procedures, such as endoscopy or barium enema examination. My supply never dipped. A total of 6 people used diluted peppermint oil applied topically, and nothing else. For Adult. More here. Using large amounts of the following herbs and other natural remedies should be avoided while nursing because they have been known to decrease milk supply. Bethesda, MD: National Library of Medicine (US); 2019. A randomized trial of peppermint gel, lanolin ointment, and placebo gel to prevent nipple crack in primiparous breastfeeding women. The NCCIH Clearinghouse provides information on NCCIH and complementary and integrative health approaches, including publications and searches of Federal databases of scientific and medical literature. Dilution was probably very high, as I didn’t have any knowledge of dilution at the time, I would say it was nearly a half and half dilution…a small amount of carrier in my palm, and a drop of peppermint. In polls or surveys of this nature, people who noticed an effect are often more likely to respond than those who didn’t, so the numbers we found may not be representative. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Accessed at naturalmedicines.therapeuticresearch.com on March 31, 2020. No effect on my supply.. I noticed my milk started to decrease so I stopped using it and my milk came back in a day or so. But there isn’t any evidence showing that taking peppermint oil alone can help. Nor could I imagine why peppermint oil would have such an effect, though I’m always open to learning something new. I couldn’t even diffuse it. Take charge of your health—talk with your health care providers about any complementary health approaches you use. Frequent brushing with toothpaste containing real peppermint oil or even eating potent peppermint candies has caused trouble for some mothers. Accessed at. Menthol, which is in peppermint oil, should not be inhaled by or applied to the face of an infant or small child because it may negatively affect their breathing.