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 calming and numbing effect, and is often used to treat headaches, skin irritation, nausea, diarrhea, menstrual cramps, flatulence, and anxiety associated with depression. It is also an ingredient in chest rubs used to treat symptoms of the common cold. In test tubes, peppermint kills some types of bacteria, fungi, and viruses, suggesting it may have antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties.
Menthol and methyl salicylate, the main ingredients in peppermint, have antispasmodic effects, with calming effects on the gastrointestinal tract. Several studies support the use of peppermint for indigestion and irritable bowel syndrome. 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.
Several studies have shown that enteric-coated peppermint capsules can help treat symptoms of IBS, including pain, bloating, gas, and diarrhea. Enteric-coated capsules keep peppermint oil from being released in the stomach, which can cause heartburn and indigestion.
However, a few studies have shown no effect. One study examined 57 people with IBS who received either enteric-coated peppermint capsules or placebo twice a day for 4 weeks.
Finally, a more recent study conducted in Taiwan found that patients who took an enteric-coated peppermint oil formulation 3 to 4 times daily for 1 month had less abdominal distention, stool frequency, and flatulence than those who took a placebo. Peppermint, when applied topically, has a soothing and cooling effect on skin irritation caused by hives, poison ivy, or poison oak. One small study suggested that peppermint applied to the forehead and temples helped reduce headache symptoms.
Peppermint and its main active agent, menthol, are effective decongestants. Because menthol thins mucus, it is also a good expectorant, meaning it helps loosen phlegm and breaks up coughs. It is soothing and calming for sore throats pharyngitis and dry coughs.
Peppermint plants grow to about 2 to 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.
The leaves and stems, which contain menthol a volatile oil , are used medicinally, as a flavoring in food, and in cosmetics for fragrance. Peppermint tea is prepared from dried leaves of the plant and is widely available commercially. 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.
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. For digestion and upset stomach in older children: 1 to 2 mL peppermint glycerite that is specially formulated for children, per day. 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. DO NOT take peppermint or drink peppermint tea if you have gastroesophageal reflux disease 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 worsen the symptoms of heartburn and indigestion. Never take an extra dose to make up for a forgotten one. If you take 1 extra dose of peppermint oil, it's unlikely to harm you. Speak to your pharmacist, doctor or call if you're worried, or have taken 2 extra doses or more.
Like all medicines, peppermint oil can cause side effects in some people, but most people have no side effects or only minor ones. Drinking alcohol while taking peppermint oil capsules can increase the chance of side effects. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if these side effects bother you or do not go away:. It happens rarely, but some people may have a serious side effect when taking peppermint oil.
In rare cases, it's possible to have a serious allergic reaction anaphylaxis to peppermint oil. These are not all the side effects of peppermint oil. For a full list see the leaflet inside your medicine packet. Peppermint oil is not usually recommended in pregnancy. Your doctor will only recommend peppermint oil during pregnancy if the benefits outweigh the risks. Peppermint oil is OK to use in breastfeeding. If you notice that your baby is not feeding as well as usual, or if you have any other concerns about your baby, talk to your midwife, health visitor or doctor as soon as possible.
Do not take indigestion medicines up to 2 hours before or after you take peppermint oil capsules. These include:. Herbal medicines and supplements are not tested in the same way as other medicines. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you're taking any other medicines, including herbal medicines, vitamins or supplements. Peppermint oil helps the muscle in your bowel, relax. This helps to relieve the pain of stomach cramps and eases bloating and farting. The capsules have a coating that stops them dissolving when they pass through your stomach.
Once the capsule reaches your bowel, it gradually releases the medicine. Peppermint oil capsules will start to work within a few hours but it could take up to 1 to 2 weeks to take full effect.
If your symptoms do not improve, or get worse at any time, speak to your doctor. If you buy peppermint oil from a pharmacy or shop, do not take it for longer than 2 weeks. Speak to your doctor if you still have symptoms. If your doctor has prescribed peppermint oil, they may recommend that you take it for longer than 2 weeks.
Follow the instructions from your doctor. Peppermint oil is not known to affect other medicines. Talk to your pharmacist or doctor if you are thinking of using more than 1 medicine for your symptoms. Some side effects of peppermint oil, such as heartburn may have a mild affect on your IBS, but only for a few days. Peppermint oil is not thought to affect any type of contraception, including the combined pill and emergency contraception.
Alcohol may make some side effects worse, such as dizziness. It's best to drink less alcohol while taking peppermint oil if it makes you feel dizzy, sleepy or confused. Some foods can cause irritable bowel syndrome IBS symptoms , such as stomach cramping and bloating.
A study from published in Pain showed why peppermint might help people with irritable bowel syndrome , or IBS. The compounds in peppermint actually activate an anti-pain channel in the colon. This channel, called TRPM8, may reduce the pain linked to eating some spicy foods like mustard or chili, according to researchers. Since then, multiple studies have confirmed peppermint oil to be a beneficial treatment for IBS. When it comes to digestive pain higher up in the digestive tract, such as heartburn due to GERD , peppermint might not be such a good idea.
According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, peppermint can actually relax the sphincter muscle which closes off the stomach from the esophagus. This can cause stomach acid to pour back into the esophagus and make heartburn or GERD worse. If you have indigestion, irritable bowel syndrome, or pain lower in your gut, then you may want to try peppermint.
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