Peppermint oil

Extracted from the stem, leaves, and flowers of Mentha piperita L. plant, peppermint oil (Mentha piperita) is a popular essential oil used in aromatherapy for both external and internal use. Mentha piperita is a hybrid of spearmint (Mentha spicata) and water mint (Mentha aquatica) . Medicinal use of herbal ingredients such as peppermint oil has a long history of treating digestive disorders and upper respiratory symptoms and cough . There are various over-the-counter and commercial uses of peppermint oil due to its carminative, cholagogue, antibacterial, secretolytic, and choleretic actions . Peppermint oil contains pulegone, which is a naturally-occurring pesticide . Other active constituents of peppermint oil include Menthol, menthone, cineol, and several other volatile oils . Peppermint oil is used as a flavouring agent in foods and fragrance in hygienic or cosmetic products, and as an anti-itch and cooling agent in topical pharmaceutical products. It is also an active ingredient in topical analgesics for the relief of joint and muscle pain. Peppermint oil can be applied topically to temporarily relieve tension-type headache. The use of peppermint oil in the management of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) has been investigated in many clinical studies due to its relaxing effects on smooth muscle; however the evidence supporting this use is unclear. Due to its effectiveness in relaxing GI smooth muscle but ability to induce gastroesophageal reflux, enteric-coated formulations of peppermint oil has been established which bypass the upper GI tract unmetabolized, thereby facilitating its effect in the lower GI tract without effects in the upper tract . Peppermint oil is safe and well-tolerated at commonly recommended dosage .