Possible side effects of peppermint oil taken orally include heartburn, nausea, abdominal pain, and dry mouth. Rarely, peppermint oil can cause allergic reactions. Capsules containing peppermint oil are often enteric-coated to reduce the likelihood of heartburn.
Peppermint oil has been used for stomach/intestinal disorders (such as upset stomach, cramps, irritable bowel syndrome-IBS). This product should not be used by children younger than 8 years. Some herbal/diet supplement products have been found to contain possibly harmful impurities/additives.
Peppermint (Mentha piperita), a popular flavoring for gum, toothpaste, and tea, is also used to soothe an upset stomach or to aid digestion. It has a calming and numbing effect, and is often used to treat headaches, skin irritation, nausea, diarrhea, menstrual cramps, flatulence, and anxiety associated with depression.
It seems peppermint has a lowering effect on the heart rate and the systolic blood pressure. Reduction in the arterial smooth muscle tonicity is a possible explanation for these effects. One study administered peppermint aroma by nose and failed to find any significant effect in both heart rate and blood pressure.
Peppermint is a popular flavoring agent, and peppermint tea help relax tension and could lower blood pressure.
Our results showed that aromatherapy with peppermint essential oil was effective in improving sleep quality.
Can it make my IBS symptoms worse? Some side effects of peppermint oil, such as heartburn may have a mild affect on your IBS, but only for a few days. Speak to your doctor if you're concerned.
Natural Aids in Thinning Blood
Some herbs and spices that contain salicylates (a natural blood thinner) include cayenne pepper, cinnamon, curry powder, dill, ginger, licorice, oregano, paprika, peppermint, thyme and turmeric. Meanwhile there are fruits that can aid in blood thinning.
If you experience indigestion due to gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD you should avoid peppermint. Peppermint may interact with certain medications. It should not be taken with cyclosporine, a drug taken by organ transplant patients.
Research suggests the scent of peppermint stimulates the brain, making you feel more awake.
Like many essential oils, peppermint oil can be toxic and even lethal at excessive dosages; it has been associated with interstitial nephritis and acute renal failure.
The menthol in peppermint works as a decongestant, shrinking swollen membranes in the nose and making it easier to breathe, and also helps loosen mucus that has collected in the lungs. Peppermint may also help prevent a sickness from coming on in the first place.
Studies demonstrate that peppermint oil (menthol) possesses anti-inflammatory activity. Oral administration of peppermint oil prevents both xylene induced gut inflammation in mice and acetic acid induced colitis in rats. In vitro, menthol suppresses the production of inflammatory mediators from human monocytes.
This minty thirst quencher is super refreshing on a hot summer day, but it's also a super-effective belly flattener. Peppermint helps your stomach process fat, ensuring even high-fat foods like burgers and steaks are digested quickly, which helps prevent bloat.
Circulatory Disorders
Peppermint acts as a “peripheral vasodilator”. ** This means that it has a relaxing and dilating action on the smooth muscle of the blood vessels and capillaries. This stimulates blood flow, thereby improving circulation.
If you have low iron levels or iron-deficiency anemia, it is best to avoid peppermint as it may inhibit the absorption of iron. Additionally, similar to grapefruit juice, the menthol found in peppermint can inhibit the CYP34A enzyme.
Alosetron (Lotronex) or Lubiprostone (Amitiza) are two common IBS medications. Antispasmodics: These are designed to relax the smooth muscles of the colon to ease cramping and spasms. Two such medications are hyoscine (Levsin) and dicyclomine (Bentyl).
Peppermint has been found to have a soothing effect, acting as a relaxant that helps the mind and body to wind down, so a peppermint tea before bed can really help you to destress and relax.
“Peppermint is a stimulant that can have adverse effects on your sleep, as it is known to increase dopamine,” she says. “Dopamine, when released in the brain, promotes wakefulness and alertness. This is the total opposite of your intention before bed and a disruptor of your wind-down routine.”
Like many other essential oils such as lavender, peppermint oil can be used to give relief from stress, anxiety, depression and mental exhaustion due to its naturally refreshing properties.
And it's actually the scent of peppermint that's key. The scent stimulates the hippocampus area of the brain, the area that controls mental clarity and memory, particularly long-term memory. Basically, the aroma of peppermint - primarily the menthol component - triggers you to wake up and pay attention.
That said, it might improve cardiovascular health in other ways. It's true that you're best off sticking to prescribed drugs and over-the-counter medicines when it comes to heartburn. What's also true, however, is that the antioxidants in Peppermint Tea reduce the risk of developing heart disease.