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Peppermint

Peppermint is a plant whose leaves and oil are used to make medicine. Peppermint is used for colds, coughs, inflammation of the mouth and throat, sinus infections and respiratory tract infections. It is also used for digestive problems including heartburn, nausea, vomiting, morning sickness, irritable bowel syndrome, spasms of the upper digestive tract and bile duct, upset stomach, diarrhea, excessive bacterial growth in the small intestine and flatulence. Some people also use peppermint for menstrual problems, discomfort in the liver and gallbladder area, to prevent spasms during endoscopic procedures and as a stimulant.

Peppermint oil is used for headaches, muscle aches, nerve pain, toothache, inflammation of the mouth, joint problems, itching, allergic skin rashes, bacterial and viral infections, applied to the skin to repel mosquitoes and to relax the bowels during barium enemas. Some people inhale peppermint oil to treat symptoms of coughs and colds, and as a painkiller. Peppermint is used as a flavoring agent in foods and drinks. In addition, peppermint oil is used as a fragrance in the manufacture of soap and cosmetics and as a flavoring agent in the manufacture of pharmaceuticals.

Peppermint is potentially effective...

  • For heartburn: Oral ingestion of peppermint oil in combination with caraway oil appears to reduce a feeling of fullness and mild stomach cramps. A specific combination product containing peppermint leaf (Iberogast, Medical Futures, Inc) also appears to reduce symptoms of heartburn. This combination contains peppermint leaves, bitter loop flower, angelica root, chamomile flowers, caraway seeds, milk thistle, lemon balm leaves, celandine and licorice root. It appears to reduce the severity of acid reflux, stomach pain, cramps, nausea and vomiting.
  • To relax the bowels during medical examinations including barium enemas or radiology procedures when taken orally or added to barium solution.
  • For irritable bowel syndrome: Most studies show that peppermint oil can relieve symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome such as stomach pain and bloating. Other studies, however, have found no benefits. The reason for these differing results is unclear.
  • For tension headaches, when applied to the skin in the affected area.

Peppermint is ineffective for treating nausea after surgery.

There is insufficient scientific data to determine the effectiveness of peppermint for toothache, itchy skin, infections, morning sickness, nausea and vomiting, painful menstrual periods, excessive growth of bacteria in the intestines, lung infections, cramps in the stomach and gallbladder, cramps during endoscopic examinations, coughs and symptoms of a cold, inflammation of the mouth and respiratory tract and muscle or nerve pain, as well as for the relief of pain due to shingles when peppermint oil is applied to the affected area. Further scientific research is required for this.

How does peppermint work?

Peppermint oil appears to reduce cramps in the digestive tract. When applied to the skin, it can cause warmth on the skin, which can relieve pain under the skin.

Are there any safety concerns?

Peppermint is probably safe and harmless when taken in the amounts commonly found in food. The oil may be safe when taken in medicinal quantities or applied to the skin. The leaves may be safe when taken short-term (up to 8 weeks) in amounts used for medicine. The safety of long-term use of peppermint leaves is not known. Peppermint can cause side effects including heartburn and allergic reactions such as reddening of the skin, headaches and mouth ulcers. Peppermint oil, when taken orally in the form of tablets with a special enteric coating that avoids contact with the stomach, is probably safe for children 8 years and older.

Precautions and warnings

Pregnancy and breastfeeding: It is probably safe to take peppermint during pregnancy and breastfeeding in the amounts normally found in food. However, not enough is known about the safety of taking larger amounts as used medicinally. It is best not to use these larger amounts if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Stomach disorders where the stomach does not produce enough stomach acid: If you suffer from such a condition, you should not take enteric-coated peppermint oil, as the enteric coating may dissolve too soon in the digestive tract.

Diarrhea: enteric-coated peppermint oil can cause a burning sensation in the anal area in case of diarrhea.

Interactions with medication

Care should be taken when combining peppermint with the following medications:

Medications that are broken down by the liver (cytochrome P450 1A2 (CYP1A2) substrates, cytochrome P450 2C19 (CYP2C19) substrates, cytochrome P450 2C9 (CYP2C9) substrates, cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) substrates).

Some drugs are broken down by the liver. Peppermint oil can reduce the rate at which the liver breaks down certain drugs. Taking peppermint oil in conjunction with medications that are broken down by the liver may increase the effects and side effects of some medications. For this reason, you should consult your doctor before taking peppermint oil if you are taking medication that is broken down by the liver.

Care should be taken when combining peppermint with the following medications:

Acid blockers

Some peppermint products are coated with a special enteric coating, or enteric-coated. Acid blockers are used to reduce the amount of stomach acid. A low concentration of acid in the stomach can cause these peppermint oil products to dissolve too quickly. If peppermint oil products dissolve too quickly, they can cause heartburn and nausea. For this reason, acid blockers should be taken at least two hours after enteric-coated peppermint oil products.

Medication that reduces stomach acid production (H2 blockers, proton pump inhibitors)

Some peppermint products are coated with a special enteric coating or are enteric-coated. Some medications that reduce stomach acid can cause these peppermint oil products to dissolve too quickly. If peppermint oil products dissolve too quickly, they can cause heartburn and nausea. For this reason, medications that reduce stomach acid production should be taken at least two hours after enteric-coated peppermint oil products.

Are there any interactions with medicinal herbs or supplements?

There are no known interactions with medicinal herbs or supplements

Are there any interactions with food?

Some peppermint products are coated with a special enteric coating or are enteric-coated. These products should be taken between meals.

Dosage

The following dosages have been scientifically tested:

Oral: For stomach upset: 90 mg peppermint oil was used in combination with caraway oil. A specific combination product containing peppermint leaf and several other ingredients (Iberogast, Medical Futures, Inc) was used in doses of 1 ml three times daily.

Applied to the skin: For tension headaches: 10% peppermint oil in an ethanol solution was applied to the forehead and temples and this procedure was repeated after 15 and 30 minutes.

In the form of an enema: To reduce intestinal cramps during barium enemas: 8 ml of peppermint oil was added to 100 ml of water together with the active ingredient Tween 80. The insoluble portion was removed and then 30 ml of the remaining peppermint solution was added to 300 ml of the barium solution.

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