Peppermint (Mentha piperita), a popular flavoring for gum, toothpaste, and tea, is also used to soothe an upset stomach or to aid digestion. It has a strong, clean, fresh, minty aroma. Because it has a calming and numbing effect, it has been used to treat headaches, skin irritations, anxiety associated with depression, nausea, diarrhea, menstrual cramps, and flatulence. In test tubes, peppermint kills some types of bacteria, fungus, and viruses, suggesting it may have antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties. Several studies support the use of peppermint for indigestion and irritable bowel syndrome.
Peppermint is also used for the common cold, cough, inflammation of the mouth and throat, sinus infections, and respiratory infections. It is also used for digestive problems including heartburn, nausea, vomiting, morning sickness, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), cramps of the upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract and bile ducts, upset stomach, diarrhea, bacterial overgrowth of the small intestine, and gas. Some people also use peppermint for menstrual problems, liver and gallbladder complaints, and as a stimulant. Peppermint oil is applied to the skin for headache, muscle pain, nerve pain, toothache, inflammation of the mouth, joint conditions, itchiness, allergic rash, bacterial and viral infections, relaxing the colon during barium enemas, and for repelling mosquitoes. Some people inhale peppermint oil for treating symptoms of cough and colds, and as a painkiller.
Peppermint plants grow to about 2 - 3 feet tall. They bloom from July through August, sprouting tiny purple flowers in whorls and terminal spikes. Dark green, fragrant leaves grow opposite white flowers. Peppermint is native to Europe and Asia, is naturalized to North America, and grows wild in moist, temperate areas. Some varieties are indigenous to South Africa, South America, and Australia.
Peppermint Oil is made by distillation of the flowering herb and is normally a pale yellow or greenish colored liquid. When inhaled it can reduce a fever, relieve the feelings of vomiting and nausea, improve a person's digestion as well as soothe the respiratory system of the body. There have been various studies performed which show the oils ability to improve a person's sense of taste and smell as well as improve concentration levels and mental clarity in those that have inhaled the oil. There are several ways in which peppermint essential oil can be used either by inhalation, rubbing on to the reflexology points on a person's feet, diffused into the air or drops poured into a therapeutic bath. Peppermint essential oil is anti-pyretic that is therapeutic as well as it has a great aroma which soothes up frayed and stressed nerves. Peppermint essential oil is used widely as basic household medicine. Peppermint oil has anti-flu effect when inhaled. When peppermint oil is inhaled in form of aerosols it has an anti-inflammatory, anti-pyretic and analgesic effect. Peppermint essential oil has high anti-pyretic effect. Therefore, peppermint essential oil is used to control the fever by applying cotton strips soaked up in diluted peppermint oil on the forehead. Peppermint essential oil has an analgesic effect and it can be used for different types of body ache like headache, joint pains etc. Peppermint oil is now a days is widely used as a mouth freshener.
Main article: Peppermint Oil
Pettermint oil can be inhaled as steam for congestion relief. What you need to do is put some drops of the oil into a large bowl of hot water and then you should place a towel over your head, lean over the bowl and inhale the steam that is rising from it.
Pettermint oil can be used to treat motion sickness. Just place some drops of peppermint essential oil on a tissue and inhale.
Pettermint oil can be used to cure headache. Put some drops on to a cool wet towel and use as a compress on the forehead or you could massage it into the neck, back, temple and/or forehead
Pettermint oil can also be used for digestion. Place a lot of drops of diluted oil on to the stomach and massage it in or else you could just rub some pure oil onto the bottoms of your feet.
Pettermint oil can be used as breath freshener. Just place a lot of drops on your tongue. It is present in mouth freshener solutions, chewing gums, etc. Peppermint have lots of positive effect but quantity of it plays an important role. Therefore, caution must be taken during its administration. It should be out of reach of children, as it should not be applied to the external mucous member like eyes, etc.
Pettermint oil can be used for therapeutic bath. Put some drops of the diluted oil into a tepid bath and it will help to relieve stomach problems, nasal congestion, headaches or menstrual cramps. However if you do not have any essential oil then get a cloth bag and fill it with several handfuls of dried or fresh peppermint leaves and put in the water while you bathe.
Peppermint oil can be used as a natural pesticide: Peppermint oil is a safe, natural way to repel pests in your home and garden. The oil's strong, clear smell deters many household pests. The following spray will repel ants, aphids, plant lice, and types of beetles. Fill a quart-sized container with water and add 10-15 drops of peppermint oil. Shake well. Spray leaves of plants or along the sides of buildings to drive away pests. To discourage mice, put a few drops of peppermint essential oil on cotton balls and place them around your house. Use the scent on areas where mice might enter homes, such as in basements or doorways. For gophers, moles, and other burrowing animals, try mixing a tablespoon of peppermint oil in a quart of water and then pour or spray on the hole.
Other tips for using peppermint essential oil at home:
For poison ivy or poison oak rash, apply peppermint oil to soothe the itching;
Inhale peppermint oil before a workout to boost your mood and reduce fatigue;
Hot Flushes: Breathe in the aroma of peppermint oil for about five minutes. You'll cool off quickly;
Got a stuffy nose from a cold, flu, or allergies? Place a drop of peppermint oil on the tongue and inhale to relieve congestion, or put a few drops in a bowl of warm water with the same number of drops of eucalyptus oil, for a natural decongestant.
Paint fume fix: Mix half of a small bottle of peppermint oil into a gallon of paint to dispel the fumes;
Remove a tick: Apply a drop of peppermint oil to the tick and it will unlatch itself from the host, without leaving its head behind (a risk if you just pull at a tick);
Mix a few drops of peppermint oil in a warm footbath to relieve sore, hot, swollen or over-used feet.
It should be me remembered that care should be taken when using any essential oil and they should be diluted with a carrier oil when being used externally to prevent any adverse reactions. Particularly skin reaction may occur if the dosage used is excessive and it should be kept away from eyes at all times.
Indigestion -- Peppermint calms the muscles of the stomach and improves the flow of bile, which the body uses to digest fats. As a result, food passes through the stomach more quickly. However, if your symptoms of indigestion are related to a condition called gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD, you should not use peppermint (see "Precautions" section).
Heartburn (Dyspepsia) -- Taking peppermint oil orally in combination with caraway oil seems to reduce feelings of fullness and mild gastrointestinal (GI) spasms. A specific combination product containing peppermint leaf (Iberogast, Medical Futures, Inc) also seems to improve symptoms of heartburn. The combination includes peppermint leaf plus clown's mustard plant, German chamomile, caraway, licorice, milk thistle, angelica, celandine, and lemon balm. It seems to significantly reduce severity of acid reflux, stomach pain, cramping, nausea, and vomiting.
Flatulence/Bloating -- Peppermint relaxes the muscles that allow painful digestive gas to pass.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) -- Several studies have shown that enteric coated peppermint capsules can help treat symptoms of IBS, such as pain, bloating, gas, and diarrhea. (Enteric coated capsules keep peppermint oil from being released in the stomach, which can cause heartburn and indigestion.) In 2007, Italian investigators reported that 75% of the patients in their study who took peppermint oil capsules for four weeks had a major reduction in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) symptoms, compared with just 38% of those who took a placebo. A second study in 2010, conducted in Iran, found similar results. Another study comparing enteric coated peppermint oil capsules to placebo in children with IBS found that after 2 weeks, 75% of those treated had reduced symptoms. Finally, a more recent study conducted in Taiwan found that patients who took an enteric coated peppermint oil formulation 3 - 4 times daily for one month had less abdominal distention, stool frequency, and flatulence than those who took a placebo. Nearly 80% of the patients who took peppermint also had alleviation of abdominal pain. 2011 research showed that peppermint acts through a specific anti-pain channel called TRPM8 to reduce pain sensing fibres. The authors feel that this study provides information that is potentially the first step in determining a new type of mainstream clinical treatment for Irritable Bowel Syndrome.
Itching and Skin Irritations -- Peppermint, when applied topically, has a soothing and cooling effect on skin irritations caused by hives, poison ivy, or poison oak.
Tension Headache -- One small study suggested that peppermint applied to the forehead and temples helped reduce headache symptoms.
Relaxation -- Relaxing the colon during medical exams, including barium enemas or radiologic procedures, when taken by mouth or added to the barium solution.
Colds and Flu -- Peppermint and its main active agent, menthol, are effective decongestants. Because menthol thins mucus, it is also a good expectorant, meaning that it helps loosen phlegm and breaks up coughs. It is soothing and calming for sore throats (pharyngitis) and dry coughs as well.
Insufficient evidence for:
Relieving pain due to viral disease called shingles, when peppermint oil is applied to the skin of the affected area.
Toothaches.
Itchy skin.
Infections.
Morning sickness.
Nausea and vomiting.
Painful menstrual periods.
Bacteria overgrowth in the intestines.
Lung infections.
Spasms of the stomach and gallbladder.
Cough and symptoms of cold.
Inflammation of mouth and respiratory tract lining.
Muscle or nerve pain.
Other conditions.
More evidence is needed to rate peppermint for these uses.
Peppermint tea is prepared from dried leaves of the plant and is widely available commercially.
Peppermint spirit (tincture) contains 10% peppermint oil and 1% peppermint leaf extract in an alcohol solution. A tincture can be prepared by adding 1 part peppermint oil to 9 parts pure grain alcohol.
Enteric coated capsules are specially coated to allow the capsule to pass through the stomach and into the intestine (0.2 mL of peppermint oil per capsule).
Creams or ointments (should contain 1 - 16% menthol)
How you take peppermint oil can make a world of difference.
In capsule form, it is much more effective to take it on an empty stomach, since the oil needs to pass through the stomach unimpeded and reach the intestines before it dissolves.
If you've eaten and have a full or partially-full stomach, the oil can be discharged too high up in your digestive system, and not give as much in the way of benefits.
Another way to ingest peppermint is through herbal tea. Peppermint tea is naturally caffeine-free and can be sweetened with a little honey or plain sugar.
Brew 1-2 tablespoons dried (or 3-4 tablespoons fresh) mint leaves per eight ounce cup of freshly-boiled water. You can also buy ready-made peppermint tea bags (I use two per mug, rather than one)
The stronger the tea, the better the effects on your digestion, so don't be afraid to make a dark brew!
Peppermint tea is an amazingly refreshing and invigorating drink, too, perfect for hot afternoons and evenings. Mint tea is common all over the Middle East, particularly after dinner.
Safety:
Peppermint is LIKELY SAFE when taken by mouth in amounts commonly found in food.
The oil is POSSIBLY SAFE when taken in medicinal amounts or when applied to the skin.
The leaf is POSSIBLY SAFE when taken in amounts used for medicine short-term (up to 8 weeks). The safety of using peppermint leaf long-term is unknown.
Peppermint oil, when taken by mouth in pills with a special (enteric) coating to prevent contact with the stomach, is LIKELY SAFE for children 8 years of age and older.
Side Effects:
Peppermint can cause some side effects including nausea, vomiting, or heartburn, and allergic reactions including flushing, headache, and mouth sores. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly. Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: headache, flushing, mouth irritation/sores, severe stomach/abdominal pain. A very serious allergic reaction to this product is rare. However, seek immediate medical attention if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.
Peppermint may make gallstones worse.
Large doses of peppermint oil can be toxic. If it is improperly used, peppermint essential oil may cause dermatitis and other allergic reactions. Very high intake of peppermint oil can also cause nausea, loss of appetite, heart problems, loss of balance, and other nervous system problems. Excessive doses of peppermint oil can be toxic, causing kidney failure and even death. Pure menthol is poisonous and should never be taken internally. It is important not to confuse oil and tincture preparations.
Menthol or peppermint oil applied to the skin can cause a rash.
For some people taking enteric-coated capsules may have a mild reaction to the product such as skin rash, heartburn, slow heart rate and muscle tremors. Large ingested doses of peppermint essential oil may result in a person's kidney's failures.
Be cautious when giving it to children under the age of 5 as the menthol can cause them to react by choking. Never apply peppermint oil to the face of an infant or small child, as it may cause spasms that inhibit breathing.
Special Precautions & Warnings:
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: It is LIKELY SAFE to take peppermint in amounts normally found in food during pregnancy and breast-feeding. But not enough is known about the safety of taking larger amounts used for medicine. It's best not to take these larger amounts if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.
Gastroesophageal
reflux disease (GERD): Do not take peppermint or drink
peppermint tea if you have GERD -- a condition where stomach acids
back up into the esophagus -- or hiatal hernia. Peppermint can relax
the sphincter between the stomach and esophagus, allowing stomach
acids to flow back into the esophagus. (The sphincter is the muscle
that separates the esophagus from the stomach.) By relaxing the
sphincter, peppermint may actually make the symptoms of heartburn
and indigestion worse.
A stomach condition
in which the stomach is not producing hydrochloric acid
(achlorhydria): Don't use enteric-coated peppermint oil if you
have this condition. The enteric coating might dissolve too early in
the digestive process.
Diarrhea: Enteric-coated peppermint oil could cause anal burning, if you have diarrhea.
The use of herbs is a time honored approach to strengthening the body and treating disease. Herbs, however, can trigger side effects and interact with other herbs, supplements, or medications. For these reasons, you should take herbs with care, under the supervision of a health care provider.
Cyclosporine -- Use of peppermint oil may increase levels of the drug cyclosporine in the body. This drug, which is usually taken to prevent rejection of a transplanted organ, suppresses the immune system. Peppermint oil may slow down the rate at which the body breaks down cyclosporine, meaning more of it stays in your bloodstream. Do not take peppermint oil if you take cyclosporine. If you are taking cyclosporine and wish to take peppermint oil, notify your physician in advance, so that your blood levels of cyclosporine can be monitored and your dose adjusted if necessary. Conversely, if you are already taking both peppermint oil and cyclosporine, do not stop taking the peppermint without informing your physician. When you stop peppermint, your cyclosporine levels may fall.
Drugs that reduce stomach acid -- If peppermint capsules are taken at the same time as drugs that lower the amount of stomach acid, the enteric-coated peppermint capsules may dissolve in the stomach instead of the intestines. This could mean the effects of peppermint are lessened. Take peppermint at least 2 hours before or after an acid-reducing drug. Antacids include:
Famotidine (Pepcid)
Cimetidine (Tagamet)
Ranitidine (Zantac)
Esomeprazole (Nexium)
Lansoprazole (Prevacid)
Omeprazole (Prilosec)
Drugs that treat diabetes -- Test tube studies suggest peppermint may lower blood sugar, raising the risk of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).
Medications changed by the liver -- Since peppermint works on the liver, it may affect medications that are metabolized by the liver (of which there are many). Speak with your health care provider.
Antihypertensive drugs (blood pressure medications) -- Some animal studies suggest that peppermint may lower blood pressure. If you take medications to lower blood pressure, taking peppermint also might make their effect stronger.
Do not give peppermint to an infant or small child. Peppermint oil applied to the face of infants can cause life-threatening breathing problems. In addition, peppermint tea may cause a burning sensation in the mouth.
BY MOUTH:
For upset stomach: Peppermint oil 90 mg per day has been used in combination with caraway oil. A specific combination product containing peppermint leaf and several other herbs (Iberogast, Medical Futures, Inc) has been used in a dose of 1 mL three times daily.
APPLIED TO THE SKIN:
For tension headaches: 10% peppermint oil in ethanol solution applied across the forehead and temples, repeated after 15 and 30 minutes, has been used.
BY ENEMA:
For decreasing colonic spasms during barium enema: 8 mL of peppermint oil was added to 100 mL water along with a surface active agent, Tween 80. The insoluble fraction was removed, then 30 mL of the remaining peppermint solution was added to 300 mL of the barium solution.
PEDIATRIC
For digestion and upset stomach in older children: 1 - 2 mL peppermint glycerite per day.
ADULT
Tea: Steep 1 tsp. dried peppermint leaves in 1 cup boiling water for 10 minutes; strain and cool. Drink 4 - 5 times per day between meals. Peppermint tea appears to be safe, even in large quantities.
Enteric coated capsules: 1 - 2 capsules (0.2 ml of peppermint oil) 2 - 3 times per day for IBS.
Tension headaches: Using a tincture of 10% peppermint oil to 90% ethanol, lightly coat the forehead and allow the tincture to evaporate.
Itching and skin irritations: Apply menthol, the active ingredient in peppermint, in a cream or ointment form no more than 3 - 4 times per day.
Some Peppermint reviews:
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10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful product!, January 6, 2009
By
luvshopping "lisa" (Virginia)
Peppermint oil is a fantastic product. I use this especially for colds and sinus.
Put a little in your humidifier or a little on your throat & chest and it works wonders for
stuffy noses and bronchitis! You can also add a little to your bath water, great for tired muscles!
AND, it's drug free.
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22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Saved my life!, June 18, 2009
By
Bethisfree20 (St. Louis, MO USA)
I have had lupus-induced IBS since I was 12, and in the 9 years since, I have tried every IBS medication that has been on (and pulled off) the market. I finally gave up and decided to just live with not knowing when I was going to be in pain, what would trigger it that day, etc. Then I heard about these capsules from a friend, and decided to try it. Words can't express the difference these pills have made! I started by taking one capsule 2-3 times a day, and within a month, I completely stopped having any attacks, or even any of the minor symptoms I used to have. I now only need to take one capsule every day, and it still works! All of the other meds made me tired or had other side effects, or just didn't help at all, but I haven't noticed any side effects in the two months I've been taking this. If you have even minor IBS, you should consider trying these capsules. They're so much safer than the prescription meds out there, they won't make you feel foggy or tired like the Hyomax does, and they work so much better!
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108 of 109 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Great Pest Control, April 11, 2006
By
Suz Mac (Glasgow, KY United States)
This [peppermint oil] is the greatest product to control mice. Just a dab on a cotton ball, pitch it in the back of your cabinets and under the sink. Replace with new balls about once a month. I don't know where they go, but they are not messing with my house anymore.
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67 of 68 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars It really works, December 12, 2008
By
Sandra Jean Brennan "meyer" (New Jersey)
This winter the mice decided to live with us. I read in the paper that peppermint oil will get rid of them so I ordered some. I sprayed it all over the house (1 cup water to 2 tsp. oil) and I have not heard or seen a mouse since I sprayed the oil under the sink, along the garage wall entering the house, along the baseboards, etc. House smells great and no mice, the oil really works. I highly recommend it if you have mice in your house.
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17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars so cool, March 1, 2008
By
Rebecca Lynn Lyman...
I read that this would help my nervous stomach. I deal with a lot of high pressure in my line of work and don't always eat perfectly and even when I do I have issues because of the high stress in front me at times. I tried them on a whim and I can't tell you what a huge difference I have experienced! I still think you need to eat properly and that this is not a magic bullet for a crappy diet, but if you have trouble with digestion even though you are conscious of what you eat, these are for you! Great product, fast acting and truly amazing.
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10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Great, June 25, 2009
By
Tennosuke (New York)
No problems, got here on time.
Provider was great.
As for the product itself it works very well but can leave you with some burps that taste odd but makes your bowels much more healthy. Try not to take this with other medications or supplements as it does alter your gut flora and may change how other elements are digested. I'd say anywhere from 1-3 hour space is best. Take it early in the morning before you eat breakfast or late at night before sleep preferably.
One per day is more than enough for people with rare to moderate intestinal disturbances.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars A cure for my stomach issues, August 11, 2009
By
B. Laws "Laws" (Oregon)
I was told about this product from a family member after they did research on this product. The peppermint capsules are meant to be a solution for digestive problems, such as IBS, from what I know. I figured I would give it a try for a month to see if I noticed a difference in how my stomach acted on a day-to-day basis, and believe me, it did not disappoint!
Many foods affected my stomach in a way I could not describe; but after taking about one or two capsules a day on a regular basis, I am happy to say that I feel so much better than I did before! I have been taking these for about 7 months now and I don't know if I will ever stop taking them.
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