Complementary Effects of Mentha piperita (Peppermint) and Rosa damascene Extract (Rose oil) on SpO2 in Patients with COVID-19: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Background and Aim: In light of the high prevalence of COVID-19 and the need for ventilation support, various methods have been recommended to decrease the need for mechanical ventilation support. In the present study, we made an attempt to compare the effects of rose oil and peppermint extract nebulizer on SpO2 (peripheral oxygen saturation) in COVID-19’s patients. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted on 60 patients with COVID-19 under a standard treatment protocol at the Northeast Corona Center of Tehran. The patients were divided into three groups, i.e. peppermint (n:20), rose oil (n:20) and the control (n:20). The peppermint group received peppermint oil nebulizer twice a day (12 drops in 30cc sterile water for each time), the rose oil group received rose oil nebulizer twice a day (12 drops in 30cc sterile water for each time) and the control group received sterile water with nebulizer (30cc sterile water). SpO2 without extra O2 support was recorded before the start of the nebulizing every day up to 3 days. Results: The results revealed that the mean SpO2 significantly increases over time in all the three groups (Pvalue<0.001). The mean SpO2 was 84.97±0.5 before the treatment, but it was increased to 86.83±0.4 , 88.32±0.4, and 89.93±0.4 at the first, second and third days of the treatment respectively. The daily increase was statistically significant (P-value<0.001). The results showed that mean SpO2 of the peppermint group was significantly more than the control group at the third day of the treatment. The difference in saturation was 3.25% and the p-value was 0.004. Hence, the need for mechanical ventilation reduced and the patients’ satisfaction increased. Conclusion: The patients experiencing decreases in SpO2 who were treated with peppermint extract showed better results than those treated with placebo at the third day.