PEPPERMINT
Place in Therapy
Peppermint is a herb with a long history of use for
digestive disorders. It is a hybrid of spearmint (Mentha spicata) and water mint (Mentha aquatica).
Peppermint oil, has been traditionally used as an
alternative medicine for indigestion. When it is given systemically, it has
spasmolytic action, and some anti-inflammatory and anti-ulcerogenic action.
It also has a relaxing effect on smooth musculature. This effect causes it to
reduce gastrointestinal smooth muscle motility. It is thought that it does
this by acting as a calcium channel antagonist.
Peppermint is also commonly employed in the food and pharmaceutical industries for its cooling and soothing properties as well as for its scent and flavour. The oil is available as bulk herb oil, enteric-coated capsules, soft gelatin capsules, and in liquid form. Peppermint is believed to be safe in doses commonly found in foods.
Peppermint leaf (as an infusion) is used for dyspepsia or to relieve intestinal cramping. For stronger effects, peppermint in the form of an enteric-coated capsule is used. Without enteric coating, peppermint oil can produce esophageal reflux and heartburn, thus should be avoided in patients with GERD. The coating allows peppermint oil to get to the small and large intestine where its action is most relevant for those with symptoms of dyspepsia.
Overall, few studies have demonstrated that peppermint is effective in relieving dyspepsia. There is preliminary evidence from a small number of controlled trials that a combination of peppermint oil and caraway oil may be effective in relieving dyspepsia symptoms. However, most of these studies were poor in quality. Although most of the evidence suggests the efficacy of this combination (peppermint oil and caraway oil), further research is warranted.
Caution: dyspepsia can actually be a side effect of taking oral peppermint oil. Patients have reported this adverse effect in several controlled trials. This may be due to the relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter by the oil. Therefore, as mentioned above, patients with underlying gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) should use peppermint oil cautiously.
References
Peppermint is also commonly employed in the food and pharmaceutical industries for its cooling and soothing properties as well as for its scent and flavour. The oil is available as bulk herb oil, enteric-coated capsules, soft gelatin capsules, and in liquid form. Peppermint is believed to be safe in doses commonly found in foods.
Peppermint leaf (as an infusion) is used for dyspepsia or to relieve intestinal cramping. For stronger effects, peppermint in the form of an enteric-coated capsule is used. Without enteric coating, peppermint oil can produce esophageal reflux and heartburn, thus should be avoided in patients with GERD. The coating allows peppermint oil to get to the small and large intestine where its action is most relevant for those with symptoms of dyspepsia.
Overall, few studies have demonstrated that peppermint is effective in relieving dyspepsia. There is preliminary evidence from a small number of controlled trials that a combination of peppermint oil and caraway oil may be effective in relieving dyspepsia symptoms. However, most of these studies were poor in quality. Although most of the evidence suggests the efficacy of this combination (peppermint oil and caraway oil), further research is warranted.
Caution: dyspepsia can actually be a side effect of taking oral peppermint oil. Patients have reported this adverse effect in several controlled trials. This may be due to the relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter by the oil. Therefore, as mentioned above, patients with underlying gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) should use peppermint oil cautiously.
References
- NaturalStandard.com: PEPPERMINT. Available at: http://naturalstandard.com/demo/PEPPERMINT.pdf . Accessed 2/29/2012, 2012. Natural Standard Research Collaboration. 2011.
- Thompson Coon J, Ernst E. Systematic review: herbal medicinal products for non-ulcer dyspepsia. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2002 Oct;16(10):1689-99. Review. PubMed PMID: 12269960.
- American Botanical Council – HerbClip on Peppermint(2008). HerbClip: Systematic Review of Peppermint. http://cms.herbalgram.org/herbclip/365/review060586-365.html Accessed 2/29/2012, 2012.