An overview on menthae piperitae (peppermint oil) Article · January 013 citations 16 reads 3,439 authors

 
Hot Flushes In Women
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A single-blind randomized control crossover 
study was performed to look at the effect of a 
peppermint and neroli hydrolat spray on hot 
flushes in women being treated for breast 
cancer.
Only 18 of the 44 patients (41%) preferred the 
hydrolat spray to a plain water spray, which was 
less than the 80% required to offer this spray as 
a standard suggestion for hot flush management. 
However a small number of those choosing it 
found it extremely helpful. Both sprays 
appeared to lessen hot flush annoyance. 
Previous chemotherapy appeared to be a factor 
influencing the choice of spray. 
 
CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY 
Antispasmodic Activity 
Irritable bowel syndrome
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: Small intestine 
bacterial overgrowth and lactose intolerance are 
associated with increased gas production, which 
may sometimes trigger abdominal discomfort 
and bloating which are also considered the 
cardinal symptoms in IBS.
Aetheroleum Menthae Piperitae is a carminative 
with antispasmodic activity that reduces 
intracolonic pressure. In an open study of 20 
patients, an aqueous suspension of peppermint 
oil (British Pharmacopoeia Standard) injected 
along the biopsy channel of a colonoscope 
relieved colonic spasms within 30 seconds, 
allowing easier passage of the instrument or 
facilitating polypectomy. The essential oil 
relaxed the oesophageal sphincter when 
administered orally (15 drops [about 0.88ml] oil 
in 30ml water), decreasing the pressure 
differential 
between 
the 
stomach 
and 
oesophagus, and allowing reflux to occur. 
Administration of the essential oils to patients 
undergoing barium enemas relieved the 
associated colonic spasms. However, two earlier 
trials failed to confirm the antispasmodic and 
analgesic activity of the essential oil in the 
treatment of irritable bowel syndrome. A 
double-blind, placebo controlled trial assessed 
the effects of peppermint oil in 34 patients with 
symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome. After 4 
weeks of treatment with two capsules 
containing either 0.2ml essential oil or a placebo 
three times daily, patients treated with the 
essential oil showed no significant difference in 
their overall symptoms, as compared with those 
who received the placebo treatment
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