Herbalists have used peppermint and its volatile oil as digestive aids for centuries. Widely cultivated and consumed in teas or as a seasoning, peppermint has many medicinal uses, including the treatment of nausea and vomiting. Consult your doctor before taking peppermint oil to treat any medical condition or health problem to discuss the possible risks, drug interactions and side effects.
Benefits
Peppermint oil is thought to relax stomach muscles and relieve spasms of the digestive tract. You might use peppermint oil to help treat nausea and vomiting, as well as indigestion, gallstones and irritable bowel syndrome, according to the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Peppermint remedies are sometimes also recommended for treating tension headaches, supporting breastfeeding and easing respiratory conditions, as well as treating gingivitis, back pain, shingles and certain types of dermatitis, according to the University of Michigan Health System. No widely accepted medical evidence supports the use of peppermint oil for curing or treating any medical condition, however.
Application
Peppermint oil is applied in several ways. To relieve nausea, you might use peppermint oil as an inhaled aromatherapy, according to the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Or you might take peppermint orally to treat the digestive-tract spasms associated with vomiting. Typically, you would make a tea by steeping 1 tsp. of dried peppermint leaves in 1 cup of boiling water for five or 10 minutes. Drink the tea four or five times daily between meals, says the University of Maryland Medical Center. A dosage of one or two enteric-coated capsules containing 0.2ml of peppermint oil taken two or three times daily is sometimes recommended for treating irritable bowel syndrome. Ask your physician about the correct dosage and application method of peppermint oil that you should use to relieve nausea and vomiting.
Function
Peppermint oil contains menthol and menthone, which act to calm spasms in the gastrointestinal tract. Peppermint oil is considered a carminative, meaning that it prevents and treats gas and bloating. Peppermint’s volatile oil appears to promote bile flow and improve digestion as well.
Scientific Evidence
A study published in the Journal of Advanced Nursing in 1997 found that peppermint oil inhaled aromatherapy effectively relieved postoperative nausea, according to the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. A 2004 double-blind clinical trial published in the journal Digestion discovered that oral doses of peppermint helped treat indigestion, says the University of Maryland Medical Center. Another medical study published in the Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology in 2006 found that peppermint oil treated gastrointestinal-tract spasms during and after endoscopic procedures. Little other conclusive medical evidence supports the use of peppermint oil in treating nausea and vomiting. Talk with your doctor before using peppermint oil for these purposes.
Warnings
Taking peppermint oil orally can cause stomach upset and potentially aggravate heartburn or acid reflux conditions, liver disease or damage, gallbladder inflammation and bile duct obstruction, according to the University of Michigan Health System. Avoid giving peppermint oil to infants and children, because it can cause negative effects, such as jaundice. Taking large amounts of peppermint oil can cause toxicity with symptoms of nausea, cardiac problems and nervous system issues. Excessive doses of peppermint oil can damage your kidneys or liver and can even lead to death. Peppermint oil might also interfere with certain medications, such as cyclosporine, stomach acid-reducers, diabetes drugs and medications taken to lower blood pressure.
