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Herbs ~ Peppermint (Mentha piperita)
For centuries this powerfully aromatic herb has provided relief for indigestion, colds, and headache.Today, medicinal peppermint is most prized for its ability to soothe the digestive tract, easing indigestion, irritable bowel syndrome, and other complaints.
| COMMON USES |
WHAT IT IS |
FOUND IN HERBALIFE PRODUCTS
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- Relieves heartburn, nausea, and indigestion.
- Eases symptoms of diverticulosis and irritable bowel syndrome.
- Helps dissolve gallstones.
- Sweetens the breath.
- Eases coughs and congestion due to allergies or colds.
| Peppermint is cultivated worldwide for use as a flavoring agent and an herbal medicine.A natural hybrid of spearmint and water mint, peppermint has square stems and oval, pointed dark green or purple leaves and lilac-colored flowers.For medicinal purposes, the leaves and stems of the plant are harvested just before the flowers bloom in summer.The major active ingredient of peppermint is its volatile oil, which is made up of more than 40 different compounds.The oil's therapeutic effect comes mainly from menthol (35% to 55% of the oil), menthone (15% to 30%), and menthyl acetate *3% to 10%).Medicinal peppermint oil is made by steam-distilling the parts of the plant that grow above the ground.
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| FORMS |
WHAT IT DOES |
LATEST FINDINGS
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- Capsule
- Oil
- Tincture
- Dried or fresh herb/Tea
- Ointment/Cream
| Particularly effective in treating digestive disorders, peppermint relieves cramps and relaxes intestinal muscle.It freshens the breath and may clear up nasal congestion as well.
| In a study conducted at the Taichung Veterans General Hospital in Taiwan, the vast majority of patients with irritable bowel syndrome who took enteric-coated peppermint oil capsules 15 to 30 minutes before every meal reported significant relief from the symptoms of the disease.Abdominal pain was reduced or disappeared entirely, and patients had less bloating, less frequent stools, and less stomach rumbling and flatulence than usual. Researchers at the University of Kiel in Germany studied the effect of peppermint oil on headaches.They found that applying a mixture of peppermint and eucalyptus oils and ethanol to the forehead and temples significantly reduced patients pain. |
| CAUTION! |
MAJOR BENEFITS |
FACTS & TIPS
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- Because peppermint oil relaxes gastrointestinal muscles, it may aggravate the symptoms of a hiatal hernia.
- Peppermint oil should not be applied to the nostrils or chest of infants and children under age 5 because it can cause a choking sensation.
- Reminder: If you have a medical condition, talk to your doctor before taking supplements.
| Peppermint oil relaxes the muscles of the digestive tract, helping to relieve intestinal cramping and gas.Its antispasmodic effect also makes it useful for alleviating the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome, a common disorder characterized by abdominal pain, alternating bouts of diarrhea and constipation, and indigestion.The menthol in peppermint aids digestion because it stimulates the flow of natural digestive juices and bile.This action explains why peppermint oil is commonly included in over-the-counter antacids.Several studies indicate that the menthol in peppermint oil assist in dissolving gallstones as well, providing a possible alternative to surgery.Consult your doctor before trying the oil for this purpose.You can also put the oil directly on your tongue; it provides a minty antidote to bad breath. As a tea or oil, peppermint serves as a mild anesthetic to the stomach's mucous lining, which helps reduce nausea and motion sickness.The tea may ease symptoms of diverticulosis as well, including gas and bloating.
| Peppermint oil appears in more commercial products than any other herb.Included in antacids for its therapeutic effects, the oil is commonly added to toothpaste and mouthwash for the fresh taste it imparts. Many people confuse peppermint with another popular mint: spearmint.Unlike peppermint, however, spearmint contains no menthol to aid digestion; it is used mainly as a flavoring agent. |
| POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS |
ADDITIONAL BENEFITS |
GUIDELINES FOR USE
| | Even for prolonged periods, peppermint leaves in the recommended doses generally have no side effects.On rare occasions, enteric-coated peppermint oil capsules can cause skin rash and heartburn.Topical peppermint oil can produce allergic skin rashes, especially if applying heat as well.If side effects occur, stop using the herb.
| When rubbed on the skin, peppermint oil relieves pain by stimulating the nerves that perceive cold while muting those that sense pain, making it a welcome remedy for aching muscles. Findings are contradictory concerning peppermint's historical use in the treatment of colds and coughs.Some test show the aromatic plant has no effect.But Commission E, a German health board recognized as an authority on the scientific investigation of herbs, found that peppermint was an effective decongestant that reduced inflammation of the nasal passageways.In addition, many people with colds report that inhaling peppermint's menthol enables them to breathe more easily.Drinking peppermint tea also may offer relief from the bronchial constriction of asthma.
| Take enteric-coated capsules between meals.If you prefer peppermint tea, drink a cup three or four times a day, after or between meals.Apply peppermint oil or ointments containing menthol no more than three or four times daily.To take peppermint tincture, put no more than 10 to 20 drops in a glass of water.Avoid large doses during pregnancy.
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