Lamiaceae · leaf, essential oil

Peppermint

Mentha × piperita

Human clinical trialsUse with caution

Leaf tea is a traditional carminative. Enteric-coated oil is the preparation mapped to human trial literature for functional bowel spasm, not kitchen tea.

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Safety first

Enteric-coated peppermint oil is the form used in most adult IBS-type trials. Menthol oil can worsen heartburn and must not be used in infants (laryngeal spasm risk).

Tradition vs trials

Traditional record. Western and European monographs record peppermint leaf for dyspepsia and flatulence; the oil is a later industrial preparation.

Trial literature. EMA HMPC and ESCOP summarize adult trials of enteric-coated oil in IBS-type symptoms. Results are positive in several trials but products and enteric coatings differ.

Practical ranges

Educational ranges — not a prescription. Culinary use is not an extract.

enteric-coated oil (adults)
EMA HMPC-type adult ranges are typically 0.2–0.4 mL oil, two to three times daily, in enteric-coated capsules
EMA HMPC — Educational range only — not a prescription. A licensed clinician individualizes product, dose, and duration.

Pregnancy, nursing, children

Pregnancy. Leaf tea at culinary strength is traditionally used; concentrated oil in pregnancy lacks adequate data.
Nursing. Leaf tea is traditionally used; essential oil internally is not well studied in lactation.
Children. Do not use peppermint oil in infants or very young children. Menthol can trigger laryngeal spasm. Older-child use belongs to a clinician.

Contraindications

infants and very young children (oil)
known GERD/heartburn that worsens with mint
bile-duct obstruction (oil monographs)
known mint allergy

Key interactions

antacids / acid suppression · note
Raising gastric pH can dissolve enteric coats early and worsen heartburn.
CYP substrates (oil) · note
Concentrated menthol oil has in vitro CYP signals; clinical relevance at tea doses is low.

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