Image source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Pfefferminze_natur_peppermint.jpg
Mentha x piperita
Plant family Lamiaceae/Labiatae
Parts used Leaf
Energetic Qualities Cool, dry (Holmes, 2007).
Constituents
Volatile oil (0.5- 4%) comprising predominantly menthol and menthone; flavonoids and tannins (6-12%); triterpenes and bitter substances (Bone & Mills, 2013).
Actions
Anti-spasmodic, analgesic, stimulating, stomachic, carminative, anti-diarrheal, anti-flatulent, diaphoretic, digestive (Grieve, 1971). Anti-emetic (Hechtman, 2011). Spasmolytic, cholagogue, anti-emetic, antitussive, antimicrobial (internally and externally), antipruritic (topically) (Bone, 2003). Choleretic, fungistatic, fungicidal, anti-viral, insecticidal, anti-parasitic, anti-allergic, anti-oxidant, stimulant, coolant, mildly diuretic (Braun & Cohen, 2010).
Indications
Per Grieve, peppermint is indicated for alleviating pains of the alimentary canal, for dyspepsia, flatulence and colic, and heart palpitations (Grieve, 1971).
Braun and Cohen refer to peppermint's as a 'classic' carminative for its ability to induce relaxation of the lower oesophageal sphincter, and recommend it for treatment of IBS (Braun & Cohen, 2010).
Authors of a 2005 review of 16 clinical trials of peppermint as a treatment for IBS recommend that it be 'the drug of first choice in IBS patients with non-serious constipation or diarrhea to alleviate general symptoms and to improve quality of life' (Grigoleit & Grigoleit, 2005).
A 2007 study of the effectiveness of a peppermint-oil gel in preventing nipple cracking in breastfeeding women is showed that it was more effective than lanolin and placebo (Sayyah Melli et al., 2007).
A 2004 meta-analysis of six randomised controlled trials of a commercially available iberis, chamomile and peppermint-based preparation (Iberogast) found that "rom the point of view of efficacy and safety" it was "a valid therapeutic option for patients seeking phytotherapy for their symptoms of functional dyspepsia" (Melzer, Rosch, Reichling, Brignoli & Saller, 2004).
A 2010 investigation of the efficacy of topical application of menthol (peppermint-derived) in the treatment of migraine headaches found it to be more efficacious than placebo, making it "a safe and tolerable therapeutic option for the abortive treatment of migraine" (Borhani Haghighi et al., 2010).
A 2012 study investigating the use of enteric-coated peppermint oil capsules (Colpermin) prior to a colonoscopy was found them to be "beneficial in terms of the time required for cecal intubation and total procedure time, reducing colonic spasm, increasing endoscopist satisfaction and decreasing pain in patients during colonoscopy" (Shavakhi, Ardestani, Taki, Goli & Keshteli, 2012).
Cautions/Contraindications
Due to its known ability to lower eosophogeal sphincter pressure in the lower peppermint is not to be used in patients with oesophageal reflux.
Dosage
1.5- 4.5 ml of 1:2 liquid extract per day, or 10- 30 ml per week (Bone, 2003).
Combinations
Grieve recommends that peppermint be included in preparations that need to be made more palatable, and where its stomachic effects are required such as with purgatives so that discomfort can be relieved; she also indicates it can be infused together with yarrow and elder flowers at the onset of a cold or influenza (Grieve, 1971). With iberis and chamomile as in Iberogast for dyspepsia (Melzer, Rosch, Reichling, Brignoli & Saller, 2004).
References
Bone, K. (2003). A clinical guide to blending liquid herbs. Edinburgh [u.a.]: Churchill Livingstone.
Borhani Haghighi, A., Motazedian, S., Rezaii, R., Mohammadi, F., Salarian, L., & Pourmokhtari, M. et al. (2010). Cutaneous application of menthol 10% solution as an abortive treatment of migraine without aura: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossed-over study. International Journal Of Clinical Practice, 64(4), 451-456. doi:10.1111/j.1742-1241.2009.02215.x
Braun, L., & Cohen, M. (2010). Herbs & natural supplements. Sydney: Elsevier Australia.
Grieve, M. (1971). A modern herbal. New York: Dover Publications.
Grigoleit, H., & Grigoleit, P. (2005). Peppermint oil in irritable bowel syndrome. Phytomedicine, 12(8), 601-606.
Hechtman, L. (2011). Clinical naturopathic medicine. Sydney, Australia: Churchill Livingstone/Elsevier Australia.
Holmes, P. (2007). The energetics of Western herbs. Cotati, Calif.: Snow Lotus Press.
Melzer, J., Rosch, W., Reichling, J., Brignoli, R., & Saller, R. (2004). Meta-analysis: phytotherapy of functional dyspepsia with the herbal drug preparation STW 5 (Iberogast). Aliment Pharmacol Ther, 20(11-12), 1279-1287.
Sayyah Melli, M., Rashidi, M., Delazar, A., Madarek, E., Kargar Maher, M., & Ghasemzadeh, A. et al. (2007). Effect of peppermint water on prevention of nipple cracks in lactating primiparous women: a randomized controlled trial. International Breastfeeding Journal, 2(1), 7.
Shavakhi, A., Ardestani, S., Taki, M., Goli, M., & Keshteli, A. (2012). Premedication with peppermint oil capsules in colonoscopy: a double blind placebo-controlled randomized trial study. Acta Gastro-Enterologica Belgica, 73(3), 349-353.