Gallstones,Irritable Bowel Syndrome,Common Cold

[Guest guest]

Peppermint and other Mints

 

Key Uses of Peppermint and other Mints:

Oral:

Gallstones

Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Common Cold

 

Topical:

Musculoskeletal pain

 

General description

Peppermint is a natural hybrid of garden spearmint (Mentha spicata)

and water mint (Mentha aquatica). First described in England in

1696, peppermint and other members of the mint family grow almost

everywhere. The two most popular varieties are white peppermint and

black peppermint. Both are typical members of the mint family, that

is, herbs with square stems, horizontal rhizomes and lanceolated

leaves with a serrated edge.

Both varieties produce purple flowers during the summer months. For

medicinal effects, the aerial portion of the plant is the

most widely used.

 

Chemical composition

The major medicinal component of peppermint is the volatile oils,

which can be found in concentrations of up to 1.5 percent in the

herb, but is usually present in the 0.3 to 0.4 range. The principal

components of the oil are menthol 29-28 percent, menthone 20-31

percent, and menthyl acetate, although analysis of peppermint oil

will typically show more than forty different compounds. Most of the

volatile oil components are terpenoids.

The proportion of menthol relative to other components in peppermint

oil depends on climate and latitude, as well as the maturity of the

plant.

Pharmaceutical-grade peppermint oil is produced by distilling the

fresh aerial parts of the plant harvested at the very beginning of

the flowering cycle.

The oil is standardized to contain not less than 44 percent free

menthol and a minimum of 5 percent esters calculated as menthyl

acetate.

The ketene component (calculated as menthone) usually ranges from 15

to 30 percent, with the remainder of the oil being composed of

various terpenoids.

 

Other components of peppermint that may contribute to its medicinal

effects include polymerized polyphenols (19 percent of dry weight),

flavonoids (12 percent), tocopherols, carotenes, betaine, and

choline.

 

Pharmacology

The pharmacology of peppermint focuses almost entirely on its

menthol components. Peppermint and menthol possess carminative,

antispasmodic, and choleretic properties, and are also used as an

external analgesic and nasal decongestant.

Carminative effects

Carminatives promote the elimination of intestinal gas. Peppermint

and peppermint oil are well accepted carminatives. Although the

exact mechanism of action has not been determined, one proposed

mechanism is by relaxation of the esophageal sphincter, leading to

released gas pressure in the stomach.

 

Antispasmodic effects

The mechanism behind peppermint oil's antispasmodic effects has

recently been determined. Researchers believe that peppermint oil's

inhibition of isolated smooth muscle contractions occurs via

blockage of calcium influx into the muscle cells.

Researchers hypothesize that the clinical effectiveness of

peppermint oil in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome results

from inhibition of the hypercontractility of intestinal smooth

muscle, thereby returning the muscle to its proper tone.

 

Choleretic effects

Choleretics stimulate the flow of bile. Menthol and related terpenes

exert a choleretic effect as well as improve the solubility of the

bile.

 

External analgesic effects

The external analgesic and counterirritant effects of menthol are

well accepted. When applied to the skin, peppermint oil or menthol

stimulates the nerves that perceive cold, while simultaneously

depressing those for pain. The initial cooling effect is followed by

a period of warmth.

 

Clinical Applications

Peppermint oil is the most extensively used of all the volatile oils.

Pharmaceutical preparations often utilize peppermint oil or menthol

for its therapeutic and flavoring properties. For example, it is

used extensively in antacid products and irritant laxatives both for

its flavor and its therapeutic effects. The same is true for its

inclusion in mouth wash preparations and after dinner mints.

The pharmacological effects of peppermint and peppermint oil are

useful in a number of clinical situations; the most notable include

irritable bowel syndrome, intestinal colic, gallstones,

musculoskeletal pain, and the common cold.

 

Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Peppermint oil has been used to treat irritable bowel syndrome for

many years. Irritable bowel syndrome can include a combination of

any of the following symptoms. Abdominal pain and distension, more

frequent bowel movements with pain, or relief of pain with bowel

movements; constipation or diarrhea; excessive production of mucus

in the colon; symptoms of indigestion such as flatulence, nauseas,

or anorexia; and varying degrees of anxiety or depression.

Hypercontractility of intestinal smooth muscle is one of the central

findings in irritable bowel syndrome. As described above, peppermint

oil inhibits the hypercontractility of intestinal smooth muscle,

making it useful in cases of irritable bowel syndrome as well as

intestinal colic.

The preferred delivery of peppermint oil is the treatment of

irritable bowel syndrome is via enteric-coated preparations, which

prevent the oil from being released in the stomach. Without enteric

coating, peppermint oil tends to produce heartburn, with the

coating, the peppermint oil travels to the small and large

intestines, where it relaxes intestinal muscles. Several clinical

studies have demonstrated that enteric-coated peppermint oil is

quite effective in reducing the abdominal symptoms of irritable

bowel d\syndrome.

 

Gallstones

A formula containing menthol and related terpenes (menthone, pinene,

borneol, cineole, and camphene) helps dissolve gallstones, as shown

in several studies.

This nonsurgical approach to gallstone removal offers an effective

alternative to surgery and ahs been shown to be safe even when

consumed for prolonged periods of time (up to 4 years). Terpenes,

like menthol. Help dissolve gallstones by reducing bile cholesterol

levels while increasing bile acid and lecithin levels in the gall

bladder. As menthol is the major component of this formula,

peppermint oil, especially if enteric-coated, may offer similar

benefits.

External analgesic

Menthol and related substances can be used as counterirritants in

the treatment of arthritis, fibromyositis, tendonitis, and other

inflammatory conditions involving the musculoskeletal system.

 

Dosage

Peppermint is most widely used as a tea (diffusion), on its own or

in combination with other herbs. The infusion is usually prepared

with 1 to 2 teaspoons of the dried leaves per 8 ounces of water.

The dosage of peppermint oil administered in an enteric-coated

capsule for the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome is 1-2

capsules (0.2 milliliter per capsule) three times daily between

meals. This dosage is also appropriate in the treatment of

gallstones.

Menthol as an external analgesic should be applied as a cream or

ointment (containing 1.26-1`6 percent menthol) to the affected area

no more than three or four times daily.

 

Excerpted from

" The Healing Power of Herbs "

by Michael T. Murray, N.D.

Co-author of " Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine "