Peppermint

HERBALIST PROFILE (Western materia medica)\nTaste: spicy, bitter, strongly aromatic\nEnergetics: cool\nTraditional actions: aromatic, carminative, antispasmodic, nervine/calmative, diaphoretic\nPrimary affinities: digestive, nervous and respiratory systems\n\nTRADITIONAL CONTEXT\nPeppermint has a long history of aromatic digestive use. Herbalists commonly distinguish peppermint leaf preparations from the much more concentrated essential oil; traditional actions should not be generalized across preparations without qualification.

Evidence is strongly preparation-specific. NCCIH reports some evidence for enteric-coated peppermint oil in adults with IBS, while noting that very little research has been done on peppermint leaf. EMA maintains separate monographs for peppermint leaf and peppermint essential oil, reinforcing that the leaf, tea and essential oil should not inherit one another's evidence.

• Infusion
• Enteric-coated oil products
• Diluted topical or aromatic preparations

Useful cautions and contraindications: peppermint can aggravate reflux or heartburn in some people. Peppermint oil is a concentrated preparation and may cause heartburn, nausea, abdominal pain, dry mouth, skin irritation or allergy. Menthol-containing peppermint oil should not be applied to the face of infants or young children because of serious breathing risk. Peppermint tea appears safe in ordinary use, but long-term use of large amounts of leaf and medicinal-dose use during pregnancy or breastfeeding are not well established.

Interaction review: the strongest practical point is preparation and route. Peppermint tea, enteric-coated peppermint oil and topical essential oil are not interchangeable. Review medicines and product directions where concentrated peppermint oil is used; avoid inventing long interaction lists when the evidence is weak.