Products
Peppermint tea is available in the form of sachets and as open goods in pharmacies and drugstores. Preparations from the peppermint leaves are commercially available in the form of drops, ointments, creams, oils, capsules, tea blends, as bath additives, mints, nasal ointments and mouthwashes, among others.
Stem plant
Peppermint x L. from the Lamiaceae family is a hybrid of green mint and water mint. The plant grows in Europe and can be grown in the garden. It is perennial and forms underground runners.
Medicinal drug
Peppermint leaves (Menthae piperitae folium), the dried, whole or cut leaves of x L, are used as a medicinal raw material. The pharmacopoeia requires a minimum content of essential oil. Liquid and dry extracts are prepared from the medicinal drug using ethanol and other methods.
Ingredients
The leaves contain peppermint essential oil (Menthae piperitae aetheroleum), a colorless to pale yellow or pale greenish-yellow liquid with a typical odor and taste followed by a cool sensation. The oil consists of monoterpenes including menthol, menthol esters, menthone, cineole and limonene. Other ingredients of peppermint leaves are:
- Labiate tannins, such as rosmarinic acid and caffeic acid derivatives.
- Flavonoids
- Triterpenes
Effects
Preparations of peppermint leaves have antispasmodic (spasmolytic) and relaxing properties on the smooth muscles of the digestive tract. They also have choleretic, digestive, flatulence (carminative), cooling, and antimicrobial effects.
Indications for use
Preparations of peppermint are used primarily for the treatment of gastrointestinal complaints such as indigestion, bloating, cramps, abdominal pain, and flatulence. Other indications for use:
- Irritable bowel syndrome with cramps and flatulence: Peppermint oil, in the form of capsules see under peppermint oil capsules.
- Cold, rhinitis (essential oil).
- Headache, external use (essential oil)
- Sports injuries: Cold sprays (menthol)
- For the preparation of tea and food
- Other applications of menthol as a pure substance (see there).
Dosage
According to the package leaflet. The tea is prepared as an infusion. Pour hot water over the whole or cut leaves and let stand for five to ten minutes. After that, strain.
Contraindications
- Hypersensitivity
- Severe crampy gastrointestinal symptoms
- Obstruction of the bile ducts
- Inflammation of the gallbladder
- Liver damage
- Suspected gastric or intestinal ulcer or other conditions that require medical evaluation.
- Children, pregnancy, lactation: see in the package leaflet.
Caution: further precautions apply to the essential oil and the pure substance menthol. The full details can be found in the drug information leaflet.
Adverse effects
The tea is generally well tolerated. Allergic reactions have been reported. Peppermint oil capsules may cause stomach burning and perianal irritation, among other effects.
