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Herbs at a Glance
Peppermint Oil

Keywords: irritable bowel syndrome, indigestion

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   Peppermint Oil
© Steven Foster

Introduction

This fact sheet provides basic information about peppermint oil--uses, potential side effects, and resources for more information. The herbA plant or part of a plant used for its flavor, scent, or potential therapeutic properties. Includes flowers, leaves, bark, fruit, seeds, stems, and roots. peppermint, a cross between two types of mint (water mint and spearmint), grows throughout Europe and North America. Peppermint is often used to flavor foods, and the leaves can be used fresh or dried in teas.

Common Names--peppermint oil

Latin Names--Mentha x piperita

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What It Is Used For

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How It Is Used

Essential oil of peppermint can be taken in very small doses in capsule or liquid forms. The essential oil can also be diluted with another oil and applied to the skin.

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What the Science Says

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Side Effects and Cautions

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Sources

Peppermint. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Web site. Accessed on December 28, 2006.

Peppermint oil (Mentha x piperita L.). Natural Standard Database Web site. Accessed on December 28, 2006.

Peppermint. In: Blumenthal M, Goldberg A, Brinckman J, eds. Herbal Medicine: Expanded Commission E Monographs. Newton, MA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2000:297-303.

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For More Information

Visit the NCCAM Web site and view:

NCCAM Clearinghouse
Toll-free in the U.S.: 1-888-644-6226
TTY (for deaf and hard-of-hearing callers): 1-866-464-3615
E-mail: info@nccam.nih.gov

CAM on PubMed
Web site: nccam.nih.gov/camonpubmed/

NIH Office of Dietary Supplements
Web site: ods.od.nih.gov

NIH National Library of Medicine's MedlinePlus
Peppermint Oil Listing: www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/natural/patient-peppermint.html

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This publication is not copyrighted and is in the public domain. Duplication is encouraged.

NCCAM has provided this material for your information. It is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your primary health care provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with your health care provider. The mention of any product, service, or therapy is not an endorsement by NCCAM.

NCCAM Publication No. D365
March 2007

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