What Type of Mint Helps with Nausea?

January 10, 2026 •

4 min read

According to a study published in ecancer, both peppermint and spearmint essential oils significantly reduced the intensity of nausea in chemotherapy patients compared to a placebo. When considering what type of mint helps with nausea, research consistently points toward peppermint, renowned for its high menthol content, and its milder relative, spearmint.

Quick Summary

This article explores how different types of mint, particularly peppermint and spearmint, can help alleviate nausea. It examines the active compounds responsible for their digestive benefits and explains the best methods for consumption to soothe an upset stomach.

Key Points

Peppermint's High Menthol Content: The key compound in peppermint is menthol, which gives it a powerful cooling sensation and acts as a potent antispasmodic, relaxing the smooth muscles of the stomach to relieve nausea.
Spearmint's Gentler Nature: Spearmint, containing more carvone and less menthol, offers a milder and sweeter alternative, ideal for sensitive stomachs or for those who find peppermint too strong.
Aromatherapy is Effective: Inhaling the scent of peppermint essential oil can provide rapid relief by calming the nervous system and distracting from the sensation of nausea.
Tea is a Soothing Method: Drinking warm peppermint or spearmint tea is a classic and gentle way to calm an upset stomach and relax the digestive muscles.
Consider the Cause of Nausea: Choose peppermint for more acute, severe nausea and motion sickness, while opting for spearmint for milder, everyday queasiness or if you have acid reflux.
Beware of Essential Oil Ingestion: Always use essential oils safely, never ingesting them unless directed by a professional. Enteric-coated capsules of peppermint oil are available for internal use and can prevent heartburn.
Consult a Healthcare Provider: It's crucial to consult a healthcare professional before using herbal remedies, especially if pregnant, nursing, or on medication, to ensure safety and avoid potential interactions.

Peppermint: The Powerhouse for Digestive Discomfort

Peppermint (Mentha x piperita) is a hybrid mint known for its potent, cooling flavor and high menthol content. This menthol is the primary reason for its effectiveness against nausea.

How Peppermint Calms an Upset Stomach

Peppermint’s medicinal properties work through several key mechanisms:

Relaxing Smooth Muscles: Menthol has a soothing, antispasmodic effect on the smooth muscles of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. This relaxation can reduce the stomach spasms and cramping that often accompany nausea and indigestion.
Aromatherapeutic Effects: The refreshing scent of peppermint oil has a calming effect on the nervous system. Inhaling the aroma can promote relaxation and distract the brain from the sensation of nausea, an effect documented in studies on chemotherapy-related nausea.
Aiding Digestion: By helping to relax the muscles of the GI tract, peppermint improves bile flow, which aids in the digestion of fats. Disrupted bile flow can contribute to nausea, so this effect helps restore normal digestive function.

Ways to Use Peppermint for Nausea

Peppermint Tea: This is one of the most common and gentle methods. Steep a tea bag or a few fresh leaves in hot water for 5–10 minutes. Sipping it warm can help soothe the digestive tract.
Essential Oil Aromatherapy: For a fast-acting remedy, inhale a few drops of high-quality peppermint essential oil from a diffuser, a cotton ball, or a tissue. For quick relief on the go, a portable inhaler or roll-on version is effective.
Peppermint Candies or Lozenges: Chewing on a sugar-free peppermint candy or lozenge can provide a burst of soothing menthol and help distract from the queasy feeling.

Spearmint: A Gentler Alternative for Sensitive Stomachs

Spearmint (Mentha spicata) has a milder, sweeter flavor than peppermint and a lower menthol concentration, containing more carvone. This makes it a suitable alternative for those who find peppermint’s intensity too strong or who experience heartburn from it.

How Spearmint Aids Digestion

While less studied than peppermint, spearmint also offers significant digestive benefits:

Soothing GI Tract: The compounds in spearmint, including carvone, provide a gentle soothing effect on the gastrointestinal tract, which can help calm mild nausea and reduce bloating.
Gentle on the Stomach: Its lower menthol content means spearmint is less likely to exacerbate acid reflux or cause heartburn in sensitive individuals. This makes it a preferred choice for people with GERD or for pregnant women experiencing morning sickness.

Ways to Use Spearmint for Nausea

Spearmint Tea: A refreshing and calming beverage, spearmint tea is an excellent way to harness its anti-nausea properties. It can be made with fresh leaves or a pre-packaged tea bag.
Herbal Combination Teas: Spearmint is often found in herbal teas blended with other soothing ingredients, such as ginger or lemon balm, to amplify the digestive relief.

Peppermint vs. Spearmint for Nausea


Feature	Peppermint (Mentha x piperita)	Spearmint (Mentha spicata)
Primary Active Compound	High Menthol Content	High Carvone Content
Flavor Profile	Strong, sharp, and intensely cooling	Mild, sweet, and herbaceous
Effectiveness for Nausea	Powerful and fast-acting, well-supported by clinical research for various causes of nausea	Gentler and milder action, more evidence from traditional use, though some studies show efficacy
Suitability for Sensitivities	Can sometimes trigger heartburn or acid reflux due to relaxing the esophageal sphincter	A gentler option, less likely to cause digestive irritation
Best for...	Acute, severe nausea and motion sickness	Mild nausea, everyday digestion, and for sensitive stomachs

Other Considerations for Using Mint

While generally safe, mint remedies have some important considerations. Always consult a healthcare provider before using herbal remedies, especially if pregnant, nursing, or on medication. For example, peppermint oil capsules should be enteric-coated to prevent heartburn. Additionally, never ingest undiluted essential oils.

Conclusion

When it comes to choosing what type of mint helps with nausea, both peppermint and spearmint offer effective relief through their carminative and antispasmodic properties. Peppermint, with its high menthol content, provides a powerful and quick-acting remedy, best suited for acute symptoms like severe motion sickness or post-operative nausea. Spearmint offers a milder, gentler alternative, making it ideal for those with sensitive digestive systems or for managing everyday queasiness. For maximum benefit, consider the cause and severity of your nausea, your personal sensitivities, and the most effective delivery method, whether it be a soothing tea, powerful aromatherapy, or a simple lozenge. Combining mint with other proven anti-nausea remedies, like ginger, can further enhance its calming effect on the stomach.

Sources

ecancer. "Antiemetic activity of volatile oil from Mentha spicata and Mentha piperita in chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting." ecancer.org.
Times of India. "Key differences in their flavour, aroma, taste, and health benefits." timesofindia.indiatimes.com.
Verywell Health. "Does Peppermint Help With Nausea?" verywellhealth.com.
Taste of Home. "What's the Difference Between Spearmint and Peppermint?" tasteofhome.com.
Nepali Tea Traders. "Spearmint vs. Peppermint Tea: Benefits, Flavor & Which One's ..." nepaliteatraders.com.
Semantic Scholar. "Ginger (Zingiber Officinale) and Mint Leaves (Mentha Piperrita ..." pdfs.semanticscholar.org.
PubMed. "The Effect of Ginger and Mint on Postoperative Nausea and ..." pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.
eOil.co.za. "Spearmint vs Peppermint: A Comparison of Two Minty ..." eoil.co.za.
wikihow. "Spearmint vs Peppermint: What's the Difference?" wikihow.com.
HealthTree. "Aromatherapy for Nausea: Four Essential Oils to Try." healthtree.org.
PubMed. "The effect of peppermint essential oil on postoperative nausea ..." pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.
Essenciagua. "How to relieve nausea and motion sickness with mint p - Essenciagua." essenciagua.fr.

[Disclaimer: The information in this article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Please consult a healthcare professional for any health concerns or before starting any new treatment.]

Frequently Asked Questions

Peppermint is generally considered more powerful for severe, acute nausea due to its high menthol content, while spearmint is a milder option suitable for sensitive stomachs or milder symptoms.

You can use mint for nausea relief by sipping peppermint or spearmint tea, inhaling peppermint essential oil, or chewing on a peppermint-flavored lozenge or gum.

Yes, peppermint is particularly effective for motion sickness. Inhaling the essential oil or sucking on a peppermint candy can help calm symptoms quickly.

Spearmint, being milder, is often recommended for morning sickness. Inhaling peppermint oil has also shown positive results in studies on pregnant women. However, pregnant women should always consult their doctor before using any herbal remedies.

Peppermint can sometimes cause heartburn because its menthol content can relax the lower esophageal sphincter, allowing stomach acid to flow back into the esophagus.

No, essential oils should not be ingested unless explicitly directed and supervised by a healthcare professional. For internal use, encapsulated forms like enteric-coated peppermint oil capsules are safer.

Spearmint is generally the gentler option and is considered safer for children. However, always consult a pediatrician before giving any herbal remedy to a child.