II. Background
- Peppermint Oil is the extract of a hybrid of wild mint and spearmint (Mentha x piperita)
III. Indications
-
Pain Dominant Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
- Relaxes gastrointestinal Smooth Muscle
- Reduces pain, distention and Flatulence
- Liu (1997) J Gastroenterol 32:765-8 [PubMed]
- Kline (2001) J Pediatr 138:125-8 [PubMed]
- Reduction of spasm related to Colonoscopy, Barium Enema
- Non-Ulcer Dyspepsia
- Tension Headaches (Topical 10% Peppermint Oil)
IV. Contraindications
-
General
- Contraindications apply to doses listed below
- Tea is unlikely to cause any serious adverse effects
- Pregnancy
- May cause uterine bleeding
- Hiatal Hernia or severe Gastroesophageal Reflux
- Cholecystitis or Cholelithiasis
V. Adverse Effects
-
Gastroesophageal Reflux
- Peppermint decreases LES pressure
- Perianal burning
- Blurred Vision
- Nausea or Vomiting
VI. Safety
- Unknown safety in pregnancy
- Unknown safety in Lactation
- Longterm data beyond 12 weeks is lacking
VII. Dosing
- Oral enteric coated oil (for gastrointestinal symptoms)
- Adult: 200 to 400 mg orally three times daily
- Child: 100 to 200 mg orally three times daily (if over age 8 years)
- Topical Peppermint Oil 10% (for Tension Headache)
- Applied to area of Headache
VIII. References
- (2024) Presc Lett 31(12): 72
- Kligler (2007) Am Fam Physician 75(7):1027-30 [PubMed]
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Related Studies
| menthol (on 1/18/2023 at Medicaid.Gov Survey of pharmacy drug pricing) | ||
| MENTHOL COLD-HOT 5% PATCH | Generic OTC | $0.71 each |
Ontology: Menthol (C0025368)
| Definition (NCI) | An organic compound made synthetically or obtained from peppermint or mint oils with flavoring and local anesthetic properties. When added to pharmaceuticals and foods, menthol functions as a fortifier for peppermint flavors. It also has a counterirritant effect on skin and mucous membranes, thereby producing a local analgesic or anesthetic effect. |
| Definition (NCI_NCI-GLOSS) | A substance that comes from mint oils or is made in the laboratory. It is used to relieve itching and to treat problems in the upper respiratory tract. Menthol causes a cooling sensation when eaten or put on the skin and it acts as a mild pain killer. It is found in nasal sprays, cough drops, inhalers, creams, and lotions. It is also used as a flavor in many food and oral hygiene products. |
| Definition (MSH) | An alcohol produced from mint oils or prepared synthetically. |
| Concepts | Pharmacologic Substance (T121) , Organic Chemical (T109) |
| MSH | D008610 |
| SnomedCT | 387414008, 73170009 |
| LNC | LP19140-0, MTHU007385 |
| English | Cyclohexanol, 5-methyl-2-(1-methylethyl)-, menthol (medication), Menthol, Menthol [Chemical/Ingredient], MENTHOL, menthol, Menthol (product), Menthol (substance) |
| Swedish | Mentol |
| Czech | menthol |
| Finnish | Mentoli |
| Russian | MENTOL, МЕНТОЛ |
| Japanese | メントール, 1-メントール |
| Croatian | MENTOL |
| Polish | Sześciowodorotymol, Mentol |
| Spanish | mentol (producto), mentol (sustancia), mentol, Mentol |
| French | Menthol |
| German | Menthol |
| Italian | Mentolo |
| Portuguese | Mentol |
Ontology: Peppermint oil (C0070325)
| Definition (NCI) | The essential oil extracted from the leaves of Mentha x piperita. Peppermint oil is used for its aromatic properties and as a flavoring and to treat illnesses of the digestive and respiratory system as well as pain. |
| Concepts | Pharmacologic Substance (T121) , Lipid (T119) |
| MSH | C015424 |
| SnomedCT | 317164001, 411374004, 52283007 |
| English | peppermint oil, PEPPERMINT OIL MISC. OIL, Peppermint oil product, PEPPERMINT OIL [VA Product], oil of peppermint, oil peppermint, of peppermint oil, PEPPERMINT OIL OIL, PEPPERMINT OIL @ @ OIL, PEPPERMINT OIL@@MISCELL@OIL (ML), PEPPERMINT OIL MISCELL OIL (ML), Peppermint Oil Oil, PEPPERMINT OIL, Peppermint Oil, Peppermint oil (product), Oil of peppermint, Peppermint oil (substance), Peppermint oil product (product), Peppermint oil product (substance), Peppermint oil |
| Spanish | aceite de hierbabuena, producto de aceite de hierbabuena (producto), aceite de menta (producto), producto de aceite de hierbabuena, aceite de menta (sustancia), aceite de menta |
