Peppermint Benefits, Usage, Medicinal Properties, Nutrition, Dosage, Preparations, safety, science backed and traditional view

Peppermint - Mentha x piperita vulgaris (L.) (a hybrid mint, peppermint is a cross between water mint and spearmint) it is sometimes also called Mentha balsamea Wild.) also known as Lamb Mint, Northern Mint, American Mint, Black Peppermint, Mieta Pieprzowa

 

Peppermint is best known for its digestive and liver-supporting properties. It is a remedy for IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) and Crohn’s. As an aromatherapy, it is excellent for cleansing the air and energizing the spirit.

 

Peppermint is an herbaceous, rhizomatous, perennial plant growing 30-90 cm tall, with smooth stems in a square cross-section. The whorled clusters of little reddish-violet flowers are in the axils of the upper leaves, forming loose, interrupted spikes, and rarely bear seeds. The entire plant has a very characteristic odour, due to the volatile oil present in all its parts, which when applied to the tongue has a hot, aromatic taste at first, and afterwards produces a sensation of cold in the mouth caused by the menthol it contains. The mint family, Lamiaceae, which includes peppermint, mint, and spearmint, is known for its aromatic plants.

Indigenous to Europe and the Middle East, and possibly Northern Africa, peppermint is now widespread throughout the world. It is typically found in moist, shady habitats, including stream sides and drainage ditches. Being a hybrid, it is usually sterile with no seeds and spreads by its rhizomes

 

Part used: Leaf, essential oil

 

Constituents:

Essential oil (including Menthol up to 48%,  Menthone, Methyl Esters, Pulegone, Azulene, Limonene, Cineol), Bitters, Resins, Peppermint oil has a large concentration of natural pesticides, mainly pulegone and menthone, Tannin, Vitamin A and C, Iron, Calcium, Magnesium, Potassium, Manganese, choline, tocopherols, betaine, carotenoids, flavonoids (incl. menthoside, rutin), rosmarinic acid.

 

Flavor/Temps:  Aromatic, Pungent, somewhat Sweet, Warm with potential secondary effect of Cooling, Dry

Stimulating, Relaxing, Restoring, Dispersing

 

Tropism: Stomach, Intestines, Nerves, Lungs, Head, Heart, Uterus, Liver, Gallbladder, Immune

 

Meridians: Spleen, Liver, Lungs, Stomach

 

Key actions in western medicine: Expectorant, Diaphoretic, Relaxant, Sedative, Gentle Liver Tonic, Stomachic, Antiseptic, Antitumor, Chemopreventive, Antioxidant, Analgesic, Antispasmodic, Antacid, Antimicrobial, Anti-inflammatory

 

Indications: Treats vomiting, abdominal pain, insomnia, sleep apnea, infections, indigestion, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), Crohn’s, bloating, insomnia, laryngeal and bronchial spasms, acute respiratory distress, migraines, bad breath, colds and flu, headaches, lung infections, sore throat, coughs, liver function, bile flow, dyspepsia, nausea, nervousness, skin quality, pain relief, arrests lactation, removes congestion, promotes sweating, treats infantile colic, breastfeeding-associated nipple pain and damage, hay fever, regulates blood sugar, lowers blood pressure, reduces colon spasms post colonoscopy, repels insects.

 

Key actions in eastern medicine: Moves Blood, Calms Shen, Releases to the Exterior, Promotes Sweating and Expels Wind Heat, Regulates Intestines and Uterus Qi

 

Indications: Calms anxiety, menstrual cramps, stomach aches, IBS (irritable bowel syndrome), insomnia, congestion, wheezing, colds and flu (especially with headaches and chills and fever), coughs, sore throat, promotes sweating, treats digestive issues, weak appetite, asthma.

 

Preparations: Infusion, Tincture, Essential oil, Infused oil

 

Dosage usually 3 times a day, unless instructed otherwise by Herbalist:

Infusion 3-7g

Tincture 1-3 ml 1:3, 45% ethanol

Tincture 2-3 ml 1:5, 45% ethanol

Essential oil 1-2 drops in gelatine caps filled with olive oil

Essential oil 2% dilution in carrier oil to prepare topical compresses, liniments, washes, etc. for neuralgic or rheumatic pains, itching and skin inflammations. Same use for leaves infused oil.

Inhalations of essential oil 1-3 drops are excellent remedy for middle ear inflammations, congested painful head colds and chest congestions with sputum. Same effect can be obtained also from inhaling leaves.

Tinctures are most versatile preparations. Warm infusion will be reliable remedy for upper respiratory infection, when there is sinus congestion or coughing, and for many digestive ailments.

Large dose range trigger sweating and tend to cool and relax, while smaller dose range warms and stimulate.

 

Synergy examples:

Mix Peppermint, Chamomile, Basil, Catnip for Nausea

Mix Peppermint, Sage and Thyme for Sore throat, drink and/or use as gargle.

Mix Peppermint, Elderflower, Eyebright, Ribwort plantain, and Chamomile for Mucous moving in Blocked Nose.

 

Cautions: Peppermint is medium strength remedy with mild chronic toxicity.

Do not exceed recommended dosage when using essential oil or tinctures. People prone to epilepsy, sensitive and children while taking treatment with Peppermint (even tea) should take few days break after week of treatment, as continuation with large doses of Peppermint may trigger epilepsy.

 

Contradictions: Contradicted with gastric hyperacidity and during lactation.

Contradicted with Yin deficiency and all dry conditions.

 

Interactions with drugs: Theoretically, peppermint oil might increase the levels and adverse effects of cyclosporine. Theoretically, peppermint might increase the levels of CYP2C19 substrates. Theoretically, peppermint might increase the levels of CYP3A4 substrates. Theoretically, peppermint might increase the levels of CYP2C9 substrates.

 

Side effects: Orally, topically, or rectally, peppermint oil is generally well tolerated. Inhaled, peppermint oil seems to be well tolerated. Intranasally, no adverse effects have been reported. Orally, peppermint leaf seems to be well tolerated.

Orally most common side effects: Abdominal pain, anal burning, belching, diarrhoea, dry mouth, heartburn, nausea, and vomiting.

Topically most common side effects: Burning, dermatitis, irritation, and redness.

Enteric-coated capsules might help to reduce the incidence of heartburn, however in one clinical study, a specific enteric-coated formulation of peppermint oil taken as 180 mg three times daily was associated with a higher rate of adverse effects when compared with placebo (48% versus 31%, respectively). Specifically, of the patients consuming this product, 11% experienced belching and 26% experienced heartburn, compared to 2% and 12%, respectively, in the placebo group.  A meta-analysis of eight small clinical studies in patients with irritable bowel syndrome shows that taking enteric-coated formulations of peppermint oil increases the risk of gastroesophageal reflux symptoms by 67% when compared with a control group. Enteric-coated capsules can also cause anal burning in people with reduced bowel transit time.

 

History folklore:

Mint is the world’s most familiar scent. Archaeological evidence shows peppermint/mint was used as far back as 10,000 years ago. The Ancient Egyptians wrote about it in a medical text dating back to 1550 BC, where mints were listed as calming to stomach pains. It was so valuable in Egypt that it was used as a form of currency.

Clinical research shows that adding peppermint oil, 40 drops in 20 ml water, every 8 hours following chemotherapy treatment to treatment with standard antiemetics reduces the severity of nausea, vomiting, and anorexia by moderate to large amounts over 48 hours when compared with a plain water placebo. 

In 79 AD, a Roman author and military commander, Pliny the Elder, said that the Greeks and Romans crowned themselves with peppermint at feasts, decorated tables with it, and used it in sauces and wines. Assyrians used it as an offering to their fire god.

Peppermint is considered one of the finest liver remedies available, with both cholagogue (promotes the discharge of bile, purging it downward) and antimigraine effects. It helps support digestion and healthy liver functioning. It is a remedy for IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) and Crohn’s. Used for aromatherapy, it is excellent for cleansing the air, energizing the spirit, and improving mental clarity and focus.

The use of peppermint oil aromatherapy has also been investigated. Clinical research shows that adding 2 drops of peppermint oil to a cool, damp washcloth for use on the neck as aromatherapy for about 30 minutes helps relieve chemotherapy-induced nausea by a small amount when compared with a washcloth without peppermint oil.

Peppermint is the oldest and most popular mint-flavored confection. It is often used in tea, ice cream, toothpaste, and soaps.

The idea of the herb’s ability to affect “temperature” predates Renaissance times: Aristotle said it cooled and Galen said it warmed. Peppermint, and other mint plants, give the sensation of feeling cold, whether you drink them hot or cold because your body perceives cold when a protein called TRPM8 is activated in your nerve cells by the compound menthol. This activation causes a message to be sent to your brain that it then interprets as a cold sensation.

In children with acute leukemia, a small clinical study shows that aromatherapy with 2 drops of peppermint oil and 3 drops of lemon oil in 80 mL of water diffused 30 minutes prior to and 2 and 4 hours after chemotherapy once weekly for 4 weeks decreases the severity of nausea, vomiting, and retching, and improves quality of life scores when compared with diffused water or no intervention

Peppermint anesthetizes the nerves in the intestinal tract by local action, and as this action does not stimulate the uterus, it is considered very safe to use for morning sickness compared to either angelica or catnip, which have low-level antispasmodic effects that could be dangerous for pregnant women.

Peppermint oil is considered better than Western drugs for treating irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Like the leaves, it contains menthol, a compound that affects mucus receptors in the nose, helping to open nasal passageways, reduce inflammation, and fight bacteria that can cause congestion and swelling that inhibits breathing.

Oral enteric-coated peppermint oil is conditionally recommended by the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) for the relief of global IBS symptoms, such as abdominal pain. Several clinical trials and meta-analyses show that taking enteric-coated peppermint oil 1-2 capsules orally two to four times daily reduces abdominal pain, distention, flatulence, and bowel movements in patients with IBS. Each capsule provides approximately 0.2 mL of peppermint oil or 180-225 mg peppermint oil. The most recent meta-analysis to date shows that four patients would need to take peppermint oil to prevent one patient from having persistent IBS symptoms, and seven patients would need to take peppermint oil to prevent one patient from having abdominal pain.

Rectal peppermint, as part of barium enema preparations, seems to reduce colonic spasms during examination. Oral peppermint also seems to be beneficial.

Oral peppermint, in combination with caraway and possibly other ingredients, seems to reduce symptoms of dyspepsia.

Topical application of peppermint seems to reduce cracked skin and pain in the nipples due to breastfeeding.

For pain in myalgias and neuralgias, menthol in topical peppermint oil is thought to have a direct inhibitory effect on the sensitized pain receptors. It might also act centrally to alter pain perception. Menthol has been shown to inhibit voltage-dependent sodium channels, which may contribute to the antinociceptive and local anaesthetic effects of menthol.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, peppermint is recognized for its ability to Release to the Exterior, Expel Wind and Heat, Move Blood, and Calm Shen. Among its many applications, it is used to treat colds and flu with headaches, chills, and fever, digestive issues, and a weak appetite. It is also used to calm and soothe restlessness and the effects of stress and anxiety.

Some preliminary research suggests that peppermint aroma may improve cognition, attention, alertness, and tactile performance. In animal research, peppermint essential oil increased ambulatory activity, possibly via inhibition of dopamine uptake. In animal research, peppermint has been shown to reduce sleepiness, although the mechanism of action is unclear

Peppermint is unique among mints for its quality and flavour. It contains the highest amount of menthol compared to other mint plants. Menthol is the compound that gives mint plants their unique flavour. Peppermint (Mentha x piperita) contains 40% menthol compared to .05% in spearmint (Mentha spicata).

Legend has it that the Christmas holiday candy canes date back to 1670 when a German choirmaster handed out sugar sticks to his young singers to keep them quiet during the Living Creche ceremony. In honor of the occasion, he bent the candies into shepherds’ crooks.

Rats are highly sensitive to smell. Peppermint oil’s high concentration of menthol could, in large doses, repel rats.

 

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