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Peppermint Oil

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Peppermint Oil, Mentha x piperita, Menthol

  • See Also
  1. Herbal Medicine
  • Background
  1. Peppermint Oil is the extract of a hybrid of wild mint and spearmint (Mentha x piperita)
  • Indications
  1. Pain Dominant Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
    1. Relaxes gastrointestinal Smooth Muscle
    2. Reduces pain, distention and Flatulence
    3. Liu (1997) J Gastroenterol 32:765-8 [PubMed]
    4. Kline (2001) J Pediatr 138:125-8 [PubMed]
  2. Reduction of spasm related to Colonoscopy, Barium Enema
    1. Asao (2003) Clin Radiol 58:301-5 [PubMed]
  3. Non-Ulcer Dyspepsia
    1. Melzer (2004) Aliment Pharmacol Ther 20:1279-87 [PubMed]
  4. Tension Headaches (Topical 10% Peppermint Oil)
    1. Gobel (1994) Cephalgia 14:228-34 [PubMed]
  • Contraindications
  1. General
    1. Contraindications apply to doses listed below
    2. Tea is unlikely to cause any serious adverse effects
  2. Pregnancy
    1. May cause uterine bleeding
  3. Hiatal Hernia or severe Gastroesophageal Reflux
  4. Cholecystitis or Cholelithiasis
  • Adverse Effects
  1. Gastroesophageal Reflux
    1. Peppermint decreases LES pressure
  2. Perianal burning
  3. Blurred Vision
  4. Nausea or Vomiting
  • Safety
  1. Unknown safety in pregnancy
  2. Unknown safety in Lactation
  3. Longterm data beyond 12 weeks is lacking
  • Dosing
  1. Oral enteric coated oil (for gastrointestinal symptoms)
    1. Adult: 200 to 400 mg orally three times daily
    2. Child: 100 to 200 mg orally three times daily (if over age 8 years)
  2. Topical Peppermint Oil 10% (for Tension Headache)
    1. Applied to area of Headache
  • References
  1. (2024) Presc Lett 31(12): 72
  2. Kligler (2007) Am Fam Physician 75(7):1027-30 [PubMed]