Background

• Peppermint is a flowering plant that grows throughout Europe and North America and is widely cultivated for its fragrant oil. Peppermint oil has been used historically for numerous health conditions, including common cold symptoms, cramps, headache, indigestion, joint pain, and nausea. Peppermint leaf has been used for stomach or intestinal disorders and for gallbladder disease.
• Peppermint oil is available in bulk herb oil, enteric-coated capsules, soft gelatin capsules, and in liquid form. In small doses, such as in tea or chewing gum, peppermint is generally believed to be safe in healthy, non-pregnant, non-allergic adults. The United States is a principal producer of peppermint, and the largest markets for peppermint oil are manufacturers of chewing gum, toothpaste, mouthwash, and pharmaceuticals.

References

• Behrends M, Beiderlinden M, Peters J. Acute lung injury after peppermint oil injection. Anesth Analg 2005;101(4):1160-1162.
  View Abstract
• Cappello G, Spezzaferro M, Grossi L, et al. Peppermint oil (Mintoil) in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome: a prospective double blind placebo-controlled randomized trial. Dig Liver Dis 2007 Jun;39(6):530-6.
  View Abstract
• Hiki N, Kurosaka H, Tatsutomi Y, et al. Peppermint oil reduces gastric spasm during upper endoscopy: a randomized, double-blind, double-dummy controlled trial. Gastrointest Endosc 2003;57(4):475-482.
  View Abstract
• Hur MH, Park J, Maddock-Jennings W et al. Reduction of mouth malodour and volatile sulphur compounds in intensive care patients using an essential oil mouthwash. Phytother Res 2007 Jul;21(7):641-3.
  View Abstract
• Inamori M, Akiyama T, Akimoto K, et al. Early effects of peppermint oil on gastric emptying: a crossover study using a continuous real-time 13C breath test (BreathID system). J Gastroenterol 2007 Jul;42(7):539-42. Epub 2007 Jul 25.
  View Abstract
• Kalavala M, Hughes TM, Goodwin RG, et al. Allergic contact dermatitis to peppermint foot spray. Contact Dermatitis. 2007 Jul;57(1):57-8.
  View Abstract
• Kline RM, Kline JJ, Di Palma J, et al. Enteric-coated, pH-dependent peppermint oil capsules for the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome in children. J Pediatr 2001;138(1):125-128.
  View Abstract
• Liu JH, Chen GH, Yeh HZ, et al. Enteric-coated peppermint-oil capsules in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome: a prospective, randomized trial. J Gastroenterol 1997;32(6):765-768.
  View Abstract
• Madisch A, Heydenreich CJ, Wieland V, et al. Treatment of functional dyspepsia with a fixed peppermint oil and caraway oil combination preparation as compared to cisapride. A multicenter, reference-controlled double-blind equivalence study. Arzneimittelforschung 1999;49(11):925-932.
  View Abstract
• Melli MS, Rashidi MR, Nokhoodchi A, et al. A randomized trial of peppermint gel, lanolin ointment, and placebo gel to prevent nipple crack in primiparous breastfeeding women. Med Sci Monit 2007 Sep;13(9):CR406-411.
  View Abstract
• Pittler MH, Ernst E. Peppermint oil for irritable bowel syndrome: a critical review and meta-analysis. Am J Gastroenterol 1998;93(7):1131-1135.
  View Abstract
• Shin BC, Lee MS. Effects of aromatherapy acupressure on hemiplegic shoulder pain and motor power in stroke patients: a pilot study. J Altern Complement Med 2007 Mar;13(2):247-51.
  View Abstract
• Shkurupii VA, Kazarinova NV, Ogirenko AP, et al. [Efficiency of the use of peppermint (Mentha piperita L) essential oil inhalations in the combined multi-drug therapy for pulmonary tuberculosis]. Probl Tuberk 2002;(4):36-9.
  View Abstract
• Tate S. Peppermint oil: a treatment for postoperative nausea. J Adv Nurs 1997;26(3):543-549.
  View Abstract
• Veal L. The potential effectiveness of essential oils as a treatment for headlice. Pediculus humanus capitis. Complement Ther Nurs Midwifery 1996;2(4):97-101.
  View Abstract