![]() Briggs 1993 The chemistry of peppermint oil is complex and highly variable, with more than 100 components isolated. Peppermint oil is extracted from the plant by steam distillation. Menthol, a component of peppermint oil, is also found in numerous antipruritic, antiseptic, and local anesthetic preparations. It is also used as an ingredient in cough and cold preparations and as a carminative for IBS. Today, the oil is widely used as a flavoring in chewing gum, cigarettes, mouthwash, pharmaceuticals, and toothpaste. Peppermint and its oil were first described in England in 1696 and have been used in Eastern and Western traditional medicine as an antispasmodic, aromatic, and antiseptic in the treatment of cancers, colds, cramps, indigestion, nausea, sore throat, and toothaches. Briggs 1993 Peppermint is a hybrid of Mentha spicata L. Peppermint oil is not to be confused with Japanese peppermint oil, which is similar in odor but derived from a different species. Pharmaceutical oil is derived from 2 varieties: white (light-green leaves) and black (dark-green leaves) peppermint. There are a variety of peppermint types cultivated worldwide. The plant generally is sterile and spreads by runners. USDA 2018 Like all mints, it has a square, purple-green stem with dark- or light-green leaves and purple- and lilac-colored flowers. Peppermint, a well-known perennial, is a prototypical member of the mint family. Related/similar drugs MiraLAX, loperamide, docusate, Colace, bisacodyl, simethicone, polyethylene glycol 3350 Botany (See Adverse Reactions.) Scientific Family Peppermint has generally recognized as safe (GRAS) status in amounts used in seasoning or flavoring, but medicinal use of the plant can cause adverse reactions. Cutaneous and mucosal burns and skin necrosis have been reported with topical formulations. Peppermint oil may cause allergic reactions characterized by contact dermatitis, cutaneous burning, flushing, lacrimation, and headache, and may worsen the symptoms of heartburn, hiatus hernias, and stomach ulcers. ![]() Peppermint oil may inhibit cytochrome P450 (CYP-450) 3A4 use caution when administering with drugs metabolized by this enzyme. Avoid internal use because of emmenagogue effects. Pregnancy/LactationĪdverse reactions, particularly with higher doses, have been documented with use of peppermint. Enteric-coated preparations are not recommended for use in children younger than 8 years. Peppermint oil should not be applied to the face, especially under the nose of a child or infant. Peppermint oil should not be administered to patients with gastroesophageal reflux or active gastric ulcers because the oil decreases esophageal sphincter pressure. Up to 1,200 mg daily (180 to 400 mg 3 times daily) of peppermint oil in enteric-coated capsules has been used to treat nonserious constipation and diarrhea associated with IBS. Limited or equivocal data are available for other uses. Menthol, a component of peppermint oil, is often added to respiratory products to provide subjective decongestant action and is used as a vasodilatory agent to aid in penetration of topically applied anesthetic drugs. Quality clinical trials are lacking to recommend use for treatment of dyspepsia. Peppermint, peppermint oil, and its menthol extract have been evaluated for use in GI conditions, including nonserious constipation or diarrhea associated with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) to reduce global symptoms of pain, and bloating antispasmodic properties of the oil and menthol extract has led to use in endoscopic GI procedures.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |