A study published in Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice examined the effects of peppermint essential oil on postoperative nausea and vomiting, which are common side effects in patients in the first four hours after cardiac surgery. (Maghami et al, 2020) 

The clinical trial involved 60 cardiac surgery patients, who were divided into control and intervention groups. The intervention group received peppermint essential oil through a nebulizer before the endotracheal tube was removed after surgery and their nausea and vomiting assessed using a checklist.  

The results of the trial showed significant differences between the intervention and control groups in terms of the frequency of nausea, its duration and severity, and in the frequency of vomiting episodes in the first four hours after having the endotracheal tube removed. 

The authors concluded that “Peppermint essential oil inhalation has beneficial effects on reducing nausea and vomiting after open-heart surgery. Using peppermint essential oil inhalation for managing postoperative nausea and vomiting is recommended.” 

Click here to access the study abstract

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Maghami M, Reza Afazel M, Azizi-Fini I, Maghami M. (2020) The effect of aromatherapy with peppermint essential oil on nausea and vomiting after cardiac surgery: A randomized clinical trial Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, 40.  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctcp.2020.101199