History and Origin
The origin of peppermint is known to be North Africa and Mediterranean region. Peppermint has been used in Chinese and Japanese traditional medicine. According to the ancient texts, peppermint has been used both as food and medicine. In 1721, the plant was registered in UK’s official drug list as an independent plant with the properties of treating cold and headache. Egyptians cultivated peppermint. Dried peppermint leaves were discovered in the pyramid. In the mid-eighteenth century, the plant was cultivated in Western Europe and England for its medicinal properties.
Peppermint Health Benefits
1. Improving Digestive System Function
The article published in the Journal of Nutrition Bytes with the title of “the role of peppermint in irritable bowel syndrome” has shown that peppermint contains anti-contraction compounds. The beneficial effects of peppermint have been observed as an alternative to improving irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) in vitro and clinical trials. Studies have shown that peppermint has anti-spasmodic properties due to its ability to close calcium channels in smooth muscle. Using peppermint in patients suffering from IBS led to digestive system relaxation and reducing the disease symptoms without any side effects. However, in some patients it did not make a difference. For this reason, despite the fact that this plant is used to treat IBS, conducting more studies to ensure the effect of peppermint is essential.
2. Increasing Bile Secretion
In an experiment, injection of leaf extract or flavonoid compound of peppermint to animals has resulted in an increase in bile acid content. Mixture of extracted flavonoid from leaves has the properties of increasing bile acids in dogs. Flavomintin which is a flavonoid extracted from leaves, increases the secretion of bile acids in dogs.
Rat studies with oral ingestion of 100-1,000mg/kg peppermint oil have noted 30-140% increases in bile secretion.
3. Relieving Headache and Migraine
Peppermint tea reduces pain and improves blood flow. Experiments on 32 volunteers have shown that the peppermint oil is effective for reducing headache and its symptoms. In another experiment, a comparison between the effect of peppermint oil and acetaminophen on 40 patients has been performed. Based on this comparison, peppermint oil significantly reduces headache after 15 minutes, showing similar effect to acetaminophen.
4. Anti-Allergy
A Study has shown that extracted compounds from peppermint plants have anti-allergic activity. Between these, two compounds of 5,6,4'-trihydroxy-7,8,3'-trimethoxyflavone & 5,6-dihydroxy-7,8,3',4'-tetramethoxyflavone have the most anti-allergic properties against allergy type 1 (immediate hypersensitivity reactions, involve immunoglobulin E (IgE)–mediated release of histamine).
5. Anti-Microbial
The methanolic extract was found to contain tannins and flavanoids, with considerable free radical scavenging activity. The plant extract showed antimicrobial activity against clinical isolates of Escherichia coli, Acinetobacter, Staphylococcus aureus and two fungi such as Candida albicans (the most prevalent cause of fungal infections in people), Candida glabrata.
6. Relieving Muscle Spasms
Peppermint is effective in relieving muscle spasms, according to World Health Organization monograph. Consuming 31% ethanolic extract of peppermint leaves with 10 ml/L in vitro condition prevents from contraction of the Hindi pig smooth muscles induced by acetyl choline and histamine. The effect was similar to 0.13 milligram atropine.
What Are Peppermint Side Effects?
1. When taken by mouth: No health hazards are known in conjunction with the proper administration of designated therapeutic dosages.
2. Gallstone conditions: Gallstone carriers could experience colic due to the cholagogic effect.
3. Pregnancy and breast-feeding: It is LIKELY SAFE to take peppermint in amounts normally found in food during pregnancy and breast-feeding. However, not enough is known about the safety of taking larger amounts used for medicine. It’s best not to take these larger amounts if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.
Generally, every person may be allergic to certain herbs and spices. This sensitivity must be first diagnosed by the person and secondarily by the physician. However, these allergic reactions do not cause chronic or acute side effects, and after identifying the allergenic plant and removing it from the diet, allergy-related complications will be eliminated. No company or product can be aware of the allergic reactions of different bodies in advance. The body's incompatibility with one or more specific herbs rarely occurs, but consumers may encounter it anyway.
Peppermint Daily Dosage
One cup of peppermint tea to be consumed 3 to 4 times a day.
Bioactive Compounds
Menthol, Menthone, Menthyl Acetate, Neomenthol, Isomenthone, Menthofuran, Limonene, Pulegone, Alpha-Pinene & Beta-Pinene, Glycosides (Apigenin, Diosmetin, Luteolin).
Best Time to Consume
Between meals.
Possible Drug Interactions
Taking peppermint along with the following drugs might cause herb-drug interactions:
1. Cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune);
2. Medications changed by the liver: Some medications that are changed by the liver include Amitriptyline; haloperidol; ondansetron; propranolol; theophylline; verapamil; omeprazole; lansoprazole; pantoprazole; diazepam; diclofenac; ibuprofen; meloxicam; piroxicam; celecoxib; warfarin; losartan; lovastatin; ketoconazole; itraconazole; fexofenadine;
3. Medications that decrease stomach acid: Some medications that decrease stomach acid include omeprazole (Prilosec), lansoprazole (Prevacid), rabeprazole (Aciphex), pantoprazole (Protonix), esomeprazole (Nexium), calcium carbonate (Tums), dihydroxyaluminum sodium carbonate (Rolaids), magaldrate (Riopan), magnesium sulfate (Bilagog), aluminum hydroxide (Amphojel), cimetidine (Tagamet), ranitidine (Zantac), nizatidine (Axid), and famotidine (Pepcid).
* Talk with your healthcare provider before using peppermint or its supplements if you are taking these drugs.
Traditional Use
In traditional medicine, peppermint is used to treat nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, jaundice, high blood pressure, diabetes, pain, indigestion, bloating, intestinal colic, urinary tract infections, and respiratory infections, dysmenorrhea and colds. It is also used as a sleeping drug, mothers milk booster, emmenagogue and anti-parasite.
Some Questions about Peppermint
What is peppermint good for? / What are peppermint tea benefits?
Peppermint is approved for liver, gallbladder, and dyspeptic complaints by the German regulatory agency of medicinal supplements, Commission E. This herb is used for convulsive complaints of the gastrointestinal. Peppermint leaves have a spasmolytic effect on the smooth muscle of the digestive tract. It also has antiviral, antimicrobial, carminative, and mild sedative effect. For more information, see the “Peppermint Health Benefits” section.
Who should not use peppermint?
- Gallstone carriers may experience colic as a result of the cholagogic effect.
- During pregnancy and breast-feeding, it is LIKELY SAFE to consume peppermint in amounts normally found in food. However, there isn't enough information about the safety of taking larger doses used for medicine. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, avoid taking these higher doses.
Can you eat peppermint leaves?
Yes. The dried leaves and flowering branch tips, the fresh flowering plant and the whole plant are its medicinal parts.
How do you use peppermint herb?
Its administration methods include comminuted herb for infusions, and peppermint leaf extracts for internal use.
To make an infusion, pour 150 ml of hot water over 1 dessertspoonful of the leaves, strain after 10 minutes (one study has shown that the maximum level of menthol and methon is present after this time). Drink slowly in sips while warm!
Is it good to drink peppermint tea every day?
Yes. The average daily dose is 3 to 6 gm of dried peppermint leaves. One cup of peppermint infusion can be consumed 3 to 4 times a day between meals.
Is peppermint tea good before bed?
While many types of tea contain caffeine, which can keep you awake at night, peppermint herb tea is caffeine free. According to the American Pregnancy Association, if you're pregnant and suffer from morning sickness, even at night, peppermint herb tea can help you feel more comfortable.
Is peppermint tea good for stomach?
Peppermint leaves have a spasmolytic effect on the smooth muscle of the digestive tract. This herb is used for convulsive complaints of the gastrointestinal. It is also approved for dyspeptic complaints by the German regulatory agency of medicinal supplements, Commission E.
Is peppermint good for detoxifying the body?
Peppermint, particularly in the form of aqueous extracts, contains phenolic compounds and carotenoids, which can help protect the liver from damage and toxicity caused by drugs, free radicals, certain viruses, and other factors. Studies, including one conducted on mice, have shown that consuming peppermint tea can protect the liver from the toxic effects associated with the digestion and absorption of drugs. Thus, peppermint may be beneficial for body detoxification, particularly in protecting liver health.
