Therapeutic Uses
- Digestive Problems – Menthol and carvone soothe the smooth muscle lining the digestive tract, preventing muscle spasms, which means that they are antispasmodics. Researchers gave people with chronic indigestion a combination of peppermint oil (90 mg) and caraway oil (50 mg) three times a day with meals. After 4 weeks, 95% reported significant improvement, with 63% declaring themselves free from pain.
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) – Researchers gave those suffering from IBS enteric-coated peppermint oil capsules (180 to 200 mg one to three times a day). 58% of participants reported relief. The researchers concluded that, compared with currently available drugs, peppermint oil should be the drug of first choice for IBS.
- Pain – The Eclectics were on the right track about menthol’s considerable anesthetic power. It’s an ingredient in many over-the-counter pain-relieving skin creams, including Absorbine and Bengay. It is also added to throat lozenges such a Cepacol. It’s also an ingredient in many ointments marketed to soothe insect bites and stings as well as rashes caused by poison ivy, poison oak, and sumac.
- Colds and Congestion – Menthol vapors help relieve nasal, sinus, and chest congestion. Peppermint is an FDA approved remedy for the common cold, primarily because of its decongestant action.
- Coughs – In addition to its decongestant action, menthol is an effective cough suppressant.
- Headaches – One study gave people who had tension headaches different combinations of peppermint and eucalyptus oils. Participants rubbed the preparations on their foreheads and temples. The formula that was mostly eucalyptus oil provided the most muscle relaxation, while the one that was mostly peppermint oil yielded the greatest headache pain relief.
- Infections – In laboratory studies, peppermint oil kills many types of bacteria and fungi (including Candida albicans, which causes vaginal yeast infections), plus the herpes simplex virus. These findings seem to validate peppermint’s traditional roles in treating wounds and bronchitis.
- Women’s Health Concerns – Antispasmodics soothe the smooth muscle of the uterus. Herbalists recommend peppermint as a treatment for morning sickness. However, medicinal concentrations of peppermint may promote menstruation and miscarriage.
- Lactation Problems – One traditional remedy for lactation-related nipple problems is peppermint compresses. Researchers found that of mothers who used compresses of peppermint tea, only 9% developed nipple problems.
Medicinal Uses: * Aromatherapy * Bronchitis * Cardiovascular * Christmas * Colds * Congestion * Culinary/Kitchen * Fatigue * Flu * Gastritis/ulcer * Halitosis * Headache/Migraine * Herbal Teas * IBS * Insect Repellent * Lice * Nausea * Nerve/Back Pain * Pain Relief * Sinus
Peppermint Leaf Side Effects: Peppermint oil can cause skin irritation if not diluted properly. Avoid using the essential oil with babies.
Peppermint Leaf Drug Interactions: Peppermint might decrease how quickly the body breaks down cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune). Taking peppermint along with cyclosporine might increase the risk of side effects. Peppermint leaf might decrease how quickly the liver breaks down some medications. Taking peppermint oil along with some medications that are broken down by the liver can increase the effects and side effects of some medications. Before taking peppermint, talk to your healthcare provider if you take any medications that are changed by the liver.
