Peppermint, while widely used as a flavoring in foods, toothpaste and over-the-counter products, may also help some medical conditions. Peppermint is grown as a flowering plant; its oil is extracted from the leaves and stems. Peppermint oil contains several components such as menthol and cineol that may work together to reduce symptoms of some illnesses. Among other conditions, peppermint oil may help to manage some types of gastrointestinal diseases.
Ulcerative Colitis
Ulcerative colitis is a chronic disease that causes inflammation of the intestine, producing frequent diarrhea and pain, and resulting in bleeding, pus and mucous. Although there is no cure for ulcerative colitis, it can be controlled with certain medications and through supplements and dietary changes. Peppermint oil may be helpful for symptoms of ulcerative colitis in that it can work to relax the smooth muscles of the intestine, possibly reducing diarrhea. It may also provide an analgesic effect, which could reduce some pain associated with the condition.
Barium Enema Studies
A diagnosis of ulcerative colitis may be made through a double-contrast barium enema, in which physicians insert a contrast medium into the rectum and intestine and look at the internal structures through X-rays. The procedure can locate the source of bleeding but may also cause colon spasms. According to the Bastyr Center for Natural Health, peppermint oil either added to the barium enema or injected directly into the intestinal tract is as efficient as muscle relaxants for reducing colonic spasms associated with double contrast barium enema studies. Using peppermint oil during this type of procedure may help to make this diagnostic practice more comfortable.
How to Take
Peppermint oil is available without a prescription for various kinds of conditions, including gastrointestinal illnesses. Peppermint oil may cause some side effects if you take it on a regular basis, particularly nausea or vomiting. In rare instances, it may impact the kidneys, causing inflammation and reducing their function. According to an April 2007 article in "American Family Physician," the average dose of peppermint oil for adults is 0.2 to 0.4 mL of oil, three times daily. Many supplements are prepared in encapsulated form to make them easier to take.
Interactions
Peppermint oil may negatively interact with other medications, so check with your doctor before taking this supplement. If you have ulcerative colitis, your physician can help you to determine if taking supplements such as peppermint oil will benefit your condition. Although it may help to reduce diarrhea, intestinal spasms or pain associated with ulcerative colitis, peppermint oil does not necessarily treat bleeding or ulcers that develop in the gastrointestinal tissues, and it is not considered a cure for this illness.
References
- "American Family Physician"; Peppermint Oil; Benjamin Kugler, MD, MPH, et al.; April 2007
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Ulcerative Colitis
- Bastyr Center for Natural Health: Peppermint Oil in Colon Diagnostic Treatment
- Romanian Mint Rubbing Association: Mentha Piperita: The Plant and Its Uses
