Summary

Peppermint is used around the world as tea, confectionary ingredient, culinary herb and medicinal plant. The whole herb contains various phenolic compounds that exert some medicinal effects but the essential oils (e.g. menthol) are responsible for much of it actions.

Peppermint and its essential oils are used primarily as a carminative to improve digestive function and relieve the bloating and gas. As an antispasmodic it relieves smooth muscle cramping (i.e. colic) and research shows it decreases discomfort associated with certain medical procedures including: endoscopy, colonoscopy and double-contrast barium enema. It also acts as an antiemetic to reduce nausea and vomiting associated with motion sickness and chemotherapy.

Menthol, the main component of the essential oil binds to " cold receptors " in the body making the exposed areas feel cool. It is found in numerous commercial " sports creams " because it acts as a topical analgesic to relieve muscle pain. The cooling action also makes it useful as an antipruritic to relieve the itchiness from hives and insect bites. In addition it is also found in cough drops because the menthol has a soothing effect on sore throats and help relieve coughs.

Indications

Gastrointestinal
• digestive complaints with bloating and gas causing cramps:
• flatulence
• colic
• irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
• inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
• ulcerative colitis
• Crohn's disease
• diverticulitis
• nausea and vomiting
• motion sickness
• gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)†

Hepatobiliary
• biliary tract dysfunction
• biliary colic
• gallstones

Respiratory
• conditions with phlegm & bronchospasm
- colds
- flu
- bronchitis
- pneumonia

Note: analgesic effects relieve sore-throats and suppress the cough reflex.

Musculoskeletal (oils topical)
• arthritis
• myalgias
• tension headaches

Dermatologic
• essential oils act as topical analgesic for:
- pruritis
- insect bites
- burns
- sunburns

Actions

• Carminative
• Antispasmodic
• Antitussive
• Decongestant
• Analgesic
• Antiemetic
• Analgesic
• Antipruritic
• Antimicrobial
• Diaphoretic
• Nervine
• Anxiolytic

Constituents

Volatile Oils (Menthol)
Flavonoids
Phenolic Acids

Posology

• Steam inhalation
• Infusion: 1-2 tsp/cup, as desired
• Tincture (1:5, 40%): 1-2 ml, tid
• Capsules: 0.2-0.6 ml/d essential oil in enteric-coated capsules

Safety

Generally considered safe when used as indicated.

CAUTION:
• GERD • Whole leaf preparations may benefit GERD but the essential oil in large amounts may relax lower esophageal sphincter tone and contribute to GERD.
• Lactation: may reduce milk production.

INTERACTIONS
• Iron • may reduce absorption

References

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Barnes J, Anderson LA, Phillipson JD. Herbal Medicines, 3rd ed. London: Pharmaceutical Press, 2007.

Bone K. Principles and Practice of Phytotherapy. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone, 2000.

Bone K. A Clinical Guide to Blending Liquid Herbs: Herbal Formulations for the Individual Patient. St Louis, MO: Churchill Livingstone, 2003.

Brinker F. The Toxicology of Botanical Medicines, 3rd ed. Sandy, Oregon: Eclectic Medical Publications, 2000.

Felter HW, Lloyd JU. King's American Dispensatory. 1898. http://www.ibiblio.org/herbmed/eclectic/kings/main.html. Accessed: August 19, 2006.

Hoffman D. Medical Herbalism. Rochester, Vermont: Healing Arts Press, 2003.

Weiss RF. Herbal Medicine. Beaconsfield, England: Beaconsfield Publishers Ltd, 1988.

Williamson EM, ed. Major Herbs of Ayurveda. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone, 2002