Peppermint Oil
A new study reviewed the safety and efficacy of peppermint oil.
Researchers from Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University in New York explained that peppermint leaf and peppermint oil have a long history of use for digestive disorders. Recent evidence suggests that enteric-coated peppermint oil may be effective in relieving some of the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome.
The study also noted that a combination product including peppermint oil and caraway oil seems to be moderately effective in the treatment of non-ulcer dyspepsia.
Topical application of peppermint oil may be effective in the treatment of tension headache. Because of its relaxing effects on smooth muscle, peppermint oil given via enema has been modestly effective for relief of colonic spasm in patients undergoing barium enemas.
Researchers concluded that peppermint oil is well tolerated at the commonly recommended dosage, but it may cause significant adverse effects at higher dosages.
Peppermint (Mentha x piperita), a perennial herb growing to the size of one meter throughout much of Europe and North America, has a long history of use for digestive disorders. There is both clinical and in vitro research on the whole plant and one of its main phytochemicals, menthol, to support some of its traditional uses. Peppermint oil is obtained by steam distillation from the fresh above ground parts of the flowering plant of Mentha x peperita, a sterile hybrid of spearmint (Mentha spicata) and water mint (Mentha aquatica).
Peppermint oil acts to reduce gastrointestinal smooth muscle motility, possibly by acting as a calcium channel antagonist. There is prelimiary evidence from small methodologically weak trials suggesting efficacy of peppermint oil in the treatment of nonulcer dyspepsia symptoms (in combination with caraway oil) and irritable bowl syndrome (IBS). These areas are controversial, and some experts assert that this evidence is not currently sufficient to draw clear conclusions. Further research is warranted in these areas, with randomized placebo controlled controlled trials utilizing adequate sample sizes, proper randomization and blinding procedures, adequate patient stratification prior to inclusion and accepted validated instruments for assessing endpoints. Notably, peppermint oil may actually cause upset stomach in some patients.
Peppermint oil is generally dosed at 0.2mL of peppermint oil per capsule or tablet, three times daily before meals, and should be avoided in pregnancy, gall bladder disorders and gastroesophageal reflux disease.
References
1.Kligler B, Chaudhary S. Peppermint oil. Am Fam Physician. 2007 Apr 1;75(7):1027-30. View Abstract
2.Natural Standard Research Collaboration: The Authority on Integrative Medicine. www.naturalstandard.com Copyright © 2007
http://www.depsyl.com/
http://back2basicnutrition.com/
http://bionutritionalresearch.olhblogspace.com/
Showing posts with label Peppermint. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Peppermint. Show all posts
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Friday, March 25, 2011
Does Peppermint have Medicinal Uses?
Medicinal Uses for Peppermint
The name peppermint comes from the Latin piper, meaning "pepper," and Minthē, the name of a nymph in Greek or Roman mythology who was metamorphosed into a plant. Records from ancient Egypt, Greece and Rome show that other members of the family, especially spearmint, have been used medicinally for centuries. Peppermint has been used traditionally for gastrointestinal disorders, including irritable bowel syndrome, indigestion and nausea, as well as colds, headache and cramps.
American medicine: In southern Appalachian folk medicine, peppermint teas were used as a carminative and to treat dyspepsia. An herbalist by the name of Clarence Gray (1917-1991) hypothesized that herbs could cure all diseases, including cancer; this had an influence throughout the southern Appalachian region. Peppermint is purportedly used in African-American traditional medicine as an ingredient in hot drinks to treat colds and congestion. The progenitors of naturopathic physicians (i.e., "eclectic physicians") used peppermint for coughs, headache, gastrointestinal disorders and bronchitis, as an adjuvant to laxatives and an antispasmodic, and for flavoring.
Mohammedan medicine: According to American herbalist Dr. James A. Duke, peppermint, bitter almond, vinegar and starch were all combined to make a plaster for coughs.
Ayurveda: Peppermint has many uses in Ayurvedic medicine, including the treatment of fainting, sunburn, sore throat, the common cold and flu, headaches and hay fever. Peppermint is purportedly recommended for pitta constitutions and is said to clear the mind and promote emotional harmony. It is a purported stimulant, diaphoretic, analgesic (for conditions such as toothache) and carminative.
Chinese medicine: In traditional Chinese medicine, peppermint is believed to rise to the head and exert a pungent, cooling effect, and it is used for the treatment of colds and cold-associated headaches. It is prepared as a boiled broth, which is then consumed hot or warm. Peppermint dabbed on the temples or under the nose or consumed in tea, is also used for headaches. Peppermint is used as an herb to treat respiratory disorders.
European medicine: In Europe, peppermint was first included in the London Pharmacopoeia in 1721 and since then has been used in England for medicinal purposes. The British Pharmacopoeia lists two preparations of peppermint, Peppermint Water and Spirit of Peppermint. According to the German Commission E monographs, peppermint oil (as well as peppermint leaf) has been used internally as an antispasmodic (upper gastrointestinal tract and bile ducts) and for irritable bowel syndrome, catarrh of the respiratory tract and inflammation of the oral mucosa. Externally, peppermint oil has been used for myalgia and neuralgia. Peppermint oil may act as an antispasmodic, carminative, cholagogue, antibacterial and secretolytic, and it has a cooling action.
Modern (Western) herbal medicine: Contemporary herbalists use peppermint externally for pruritus and inflammation, and internally as a sleep aid and for colds, coughs, flu, headache, gastrointestinal disorders, fever, menstrual cramps, motion sickness and nausea gravidarum.
For more information about peppermint, please visit Natural Standard's Foods, Herbs & Supplements database.
References
1.Natural Standard: The Authority on Integrative Medicine. www.naturalstandard.com
http://www.depsyl.com/
http://back2basicnutrition.com/
http://bionutritionalresearch.olhblogspace.com/
The name peppermint comes from the Latin piper, meaning "pepper," and Minthē, the name of a nymph in Greek or Roman mythology who was metamorphosed into a plant. Records from ancient Egypt, Greece and Rome show that other members of the family, especially spearmint, have been used medicinally for centuries. Peppermint has been used traditionally for gastrointestinal disorders, including irritable bowel syndrome, indigestion and nausea, as well as colds, headache and cramps.
American medicine: In southern Appalachian folk medicine, peppermint teas were used as a carminative and to treat dyspepsia. An herbalist by the name of Clarence Gray (1917-1991) hypothesized that herbs could cure all diseases, including cancer; this had an influence throughout the southern Appalachian region. Peppermint is purportedly used in African-American traditional medicine as an ingredient in hot drinks to treat colds and congestion. The progenitors of naturopathic physicians (i.e., "eclectic physicians") used peppermint for coughs, headache, gastrointestinal disorders and bronchitis, as an adjuvant to laxatives and an antispasmodic, and for flavoring.
Mohammedan medicine: According to American herbalist Dr. James A. Duke, peppermint, bitter almond, vinegar and starch were all combined to make a plaster for coughs.
Ayurveda: Peppermint has many uses in Ayurvedic medicine, including the treatment of fainting, sunburn, sore throat, the common cold and flu, headaches and hay fever. Peppermint is purportedly recommended for pitta constitutions and is said to clear the mind and promote emotional harmony. It is a purported stimulant, diaphoretic, analgesic (for conditions such as toothache) and carminative.
Chinese medicine: In traditional Chinese medicine, peppermint is believed to rise to the head and exert a pungent, cooling effect, and it is used for the treatment of colds and cold-associated headaches. It is prepared as a boiled broth, which is then consumed hot or warm. Peppermint dabbed on the temples or under the nose or consumed in tea, is also used for headaches. Peppermint is used as an herb to treat respiratory disorders.
European medicine: In Europe, peppermint was first included in the London Pharmacopoeia in 1721 and since then has been used in England for medicinal purposes. The British Pharmacopoeia lists two preparations of peppermint, Peppermint Water and Spirit of Peppermint. According to the German Commission E monographs, peppermint oil (as well as peppermint leaf) has been used internally as an antispasmodic (upper gastrointestinal tract and bile ducts) and for irritable bowel syndrome, catarrh of the respiratory tract and inflammation of the oral mucosa. Externally, peppermint oil has been used for myalgia and neuralgia. Peppermint oil may act as an antispasmodic, carminative, cholagogue, antibacterial and secretolytic, and it has a cooling action.
Modern (Western) herbal medicine: Contemporary herbalists use peppermint externally for pruritus and inflammation, and internally as a sleep aid and for colds, coughs, flu, headache, gastrointestinal disorders, fever, menstrual cramps, motion sickness and nausea gravidarum.
For more information about peppermint, please visit Natural Standard's Foods, Herbs & Supplements database.
References
1.Natural Standard: The Authority on Integrative Medicine. www.naturalstandard.com
http://www.depsyl.com/
http://back2basicnutrition.com/
http://bionutritionalresearch.olhblogspace.com/
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