A well-known digestive aid for over two hundred years, peppermint has been used to treat coughs, colds and fever as well as colic, food allergies, indigestion, causea, gallstones, headaches and irritable bowel syndrome. The principle active ingredient in peppermint is menthol which calms the muscles of the stomach and improves the flow of bile, stimulating the stomach lining and reducing the amount of time food spends in the stomach. Peppermint has both cooling and warming effects and, when taken internally, induces heat and improves circulation. In addition, peppermint disperses blood to the surface of the body, causing sweating which makes it useful in treating chills and fevers, colds and flu. Peppermint also has a calming and numbing effect and has been used to treat headaches, skin irritaions, anxiety associated with depression, nausea, diarrhea, menstrual cramps and flatulence. Peppermint also has an astringent and decongestant action which helps relieve stuffiness and congestion. Furthermore, peppermint makes a good general tonic to recharge vital energy and dispel lethargy. As an analgesic, peppermint oil is often added to lotions, creams and salves to ease inflamed joints in arthritis and goud, neuralgia, sciatica and general aches and pains. Peppermint also contains tannins which help protect the gut lining from irritation and infection, making it useful in treatings diarrhea, constipation, Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. Peppermint bitters stimulate and cleanse the liver and gall bladder which can prevent gall stones. In addition, peppermint's volative oils have an antiseptic action and are antibacterial, antiparasitic, antifungal and antiviral. Precautions: There are no known side effects of peppermint. However, do not take peppermint or drink peppermint tea if you have a hiatal hernia or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) which is a condition where stomach acids back up into the esophagus. Avoid peppermint and peppermint tea if you are pregnant or breastfeeding and women who have a history of miscarriage should not use peppermint. Do apply peppermint oil to the face of an infant or child because it may cause spasms that affect breathing. Pure menthol is poisonous and should never be taken internally and large doses of peppermint oil can be toxic. Peppermint may interact with cyclosporine, a drug that is taken to prevent rejection of a transplanted organ, and drugs that reduce stomach acid. NOTE: These descriptions are provided for information purposes only. Before taking any herb or supplement, it is recommended that you consult your health care professional to ensure it is safe for you to take and will not interact with any medications you may be taking.
