Peppermint oil

Identification

Summary

Peppermint oil is an ingredient used in a variety of natural health products and is not an approved medication.

Generic Name

Peppermint oil

DrugBank Accession Number

DB11198

Background

Extracted from the stem, leaves, and flowers of Mentha piperita L. plant, peppermint oil (Mentha piperita) is a popular essential oil used in aromatherapy for both external and internal use. Mentha piperita is a hybrid of spearmint (Mentha spicata) and water mint (Mentha aquatica) ⁶. Medicinal use of herbal ingredients such as peppermint oil has a long history of treating digestive disorders and upper respiratory symptoms and cough ². There are various over-the-counter and commercial uses of peppermint oil due to its carminative, cholagogue, antibacterial, secretolytic, and choleretic actions ³. Peppermint oil contains pulegone, which is a naturally-occurring pesticide ⁷. Other active constituents of peppermint oil include Menthol, menthone, cineol, and several other volatile oils ^2,3.

Peppermint oil is used as a flavouring agent in foods and fragrance in hygienic or cosmetic products, and as an anti-itch and cooling agent in topical pharmaceutical products. It is also an active ingredient in topical analgesics for the relief of joint and muscle pain. Peppermint oil can be applied topically to temporarily relieve tension-type headache. The use of peppermint oil in the management of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) has been investigated in many clinical studies due to its relaxing effects on smooth muscle; however the evidence supporting this use is unclear. Due to its effectiveness in relaxing GI smooth muscle but ability to induce gastroesophageal reflux, enteric-coated formulations of peppermint oil has been established which bypass the upper GI tract unmetabolized, thereby facilitating its effect in the lower GI tract without effects in the upper tract ². Peppermint oil is safe and well-tolerated at commonly recommended dosage ².

Type

Biotech

Groups

Approved, Investigational

Synonyms

• English black mint oil
• Mentha crispa oil
• Mentha dumetorum oil
• Mentha piperita (peppermint) leaf water
• Mentha piperita (peppermint) oil
• Mentha piperita flowering top oil
• Mentha piperita oil
• Mentha X piperita oil
• Menthae piperitae aetheroleum
• Oil of peppermint
• Pepermint oil
• Peppermint american far west bulked
• Peppermint american willamette natural
• Peppermint flowering top oil
• Peppermint indian rectified
• Peppermint oil america
• Peppermint oil mongolia
• Peppermint oil yakima
• Peppermint volatile oil

External IDs

• FEMA No. 2848

Pharmacology

Indication

Indicated for the over-the-counter use for:

-the symptomatic relief of minor spasms of the gastrointestinal tract, flatulence and abdominal pain, especially in patients with irritable bowel syndrome.

-the temporary relief of itching associated with insect bites, eczema, minor burn, sunburn, minor skin irritations, minor cuts, scrapes, atopic dermatitis and other skin disorders.

-the temporary symptomatic relief of mild joint and muscle pain as a local topical analgesic.

-the temporary relief of tension-type headache.

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Associated Conditions

• Colic
• Cough
• Flatulence
• Hypertonicity of the small intestine
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
• Mild pain
• Myalgia
• Nasal Congestion
• Gas pain

Contraindications & Blackbox Warnings

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Pharmacodynamics

Peppermint oil induces a dose-related antispasmodic effects on the gastrointestinal smooth muscles ³. A meta-analysis study and additional clinical studies of patients with IBS demonstrated that the treatment with peppermint oil improves abdominal symptoms compared to the placebo group, resulting in reduced severity of abdominal pain, decreased abdominal distension, reduced stool frequency, and reduced flatulence ^2,4. The use of enteric-coated peppermint oil was shown to be effective in reducing gastrointestinal symptoms of non-ulcer dyspepsia ². In rats, peppermint oil promoted a time-dependent choleretic effect in increasing bile production and biliary output ³. In randomized controlled trials, topical application of peppermint oil was associated with a significant analgesic effect and a reduction in headache intensity compared to placebo ². In a study of C57BL/6 mice, topical application of peppermint oil for 4 weeks was associated with a prominent hair growth effects; a significant increase in dermal thickness, follicle number, and follicle depth ¹.

Mechanism of action

Dose-dependent antispasmodic effect of peppermint oil is largely mediated by its menthol constituent ³. It is proposed that peppermint oil relaxes gastrointestinal smooth muscle and attenuates contractile responses by reducing the influx of extracellular calcium ions. In rabbit jejunum smooth muscle cells investigated via whole cell clamp configuration technique, peppermint oil was shown to inhibit the potential-dependent calcium currents in a concentration-dependent manner ³. Both a reduction in peak current amplitude and an increase in the rate of current decay were observed, indicating that the pharmacological activity peppermint oil resembles that of dihydropyridine calcium antagonists ³. In a rat small intestine study, peppermint oil in the intestinal lumen inhibited enterocyte glucose uptake via a direct action on the brush border membrane and inhibited intestinal secretion ³. There is also evidence that menthol is an antagonist of L-type Ca2+ channels via interacting with dihydropyridine binding sites and blocks the currents of low-voltage-activated calcium channels ³. Peppermint oil may facilitate hair growth by promoting the conservation of vascularization of hair dermal papilla, which may contribute to the induction of early anagen stage of active growth phase of hair follicles ¹.

Absorption

After oral administration, peppermint is rapidly absorbed ³. Menthol is highly fat-soluble therefore rapidly absorbed from the proximal gut ⁵.

Volume of distribution

No pharmacokinetic data available.

Protein binding

No pharmacokinetic data available.

Metabolism

The predominant biliary metabolite of peppermint oil is menthol glucuronide, which undergoes enterohepatic circulation ³. The urinary metabolites are products of hydroxylation at the C-7 methyl group at C-8 and C-9 of the isopropyl moiety, forming a series of mono- and dihydroxymenthols and carboxylic acids, some of which are excreted in part as glucuronic acid conjugates ³.

Route of elimination

Peppermint oil is eliminated mainly via the bile following oral administration, with glucuronide and sulphate metabolites predominant ³. The metabolites, mainly menthol glucuronide and mono- or di-hydroxylated menthol derivatives, may also undergo approximately equal renal and fecal excretion ³. Renal recovery of total menthol within 24 hours was dose-dependent whereas the recovery in bile was substantially higher over 8 hours ³.

Half-life

No pharmacokinetic data available.

Clearance

No pharmacokinetic data available.

Adverse Effects

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Toxicity

Oral LD50 value in rat is 2426 mg/kg ^MSDS. In fasted mice, the LD50 following oral administration was 2410 mg/kg ⁷. Higher doses of peppermint oil has the potential to induce menstruation, bronchospasm, tongue spasms, and, possibly, respiratory arrest ² in addition to potential hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity ⁶.

Overdose may cause severe gastrointestinal symptoms, diarrhoea, rectal ulceration, epileptic convulsions, loss of consciousness, apnoea, nausea, disturbances in cardiac rhythms, ataxia and other CNS problems, probably due to the presence of menthol ⁸. In the event of overdose, the stomach should be emptied by gastric lavage. Observation should be carried out with symptomatic treatment if necessary ⁸. A near fatal case of high dose peppermint oil ingestion was reported, the overdose was characterized by comatose and reduced heart rate ⁶.

Pathways

Not Available

Pharmacogenomic Effects/ADRs

Not Available

Interactions

Drug Interactions

This information should not be interpreted without the help of a healthcare provider. If you believe you are experiencing an interaction, contact a healthcare provider immediately. The absence of an interaction does not necessarily mean no interactions exist.

• Approved
• Vet approved
• Nutraceutical
• Illicit
• Withdrawn
• Investigational
• Experimental
• All Drugs

Drug	Interaction
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Acenocoumarol	The serum concentration of Acenocoumarol can be increased when it is combined with Peppermint oil.
Alfuzosin	The metabolism of Alfuzosin can be decreased when combined with Peppermint oil.
Alprazolam	The metabolism of Alprazolam can be decreased when combined with Peppermint oil.
Aripiprazole	The metabolism of Aripiprazole can be decreased when combined with Peppermint oil.
Aripiprazole lauroxil	The metabolism of Aripiprazole lauroxil can be decreased when combined with Peppermint oil.
Atorvastatin	The metabolism of Atorvastatin can be decreased when combined with Peppermint oil.
Cilostazol	The metabolism of Cilostazol can be decreased when combined with Peppermint oil.
Clozapine	The serum concentration of Clozapine can be increased when it is combined with Peppermint oil.
Colchicine	The metabolism of Colchicine can be decreased when combined with Peppermint oil.
Doxorubicin	The serum concentration of Doxorubicin can be increased when it is combined with Peppermint oil.

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Food Interactions

No interactions found.

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Active Moieties

Name	Kind	UNII	CAS	InChI Key
Peppermint	unknown	V95R5KMY2B	Not Available	Not applicable

Over the Counter Products

Name	Dosage	Strength	Route	Labeller	Marketing Start	Marketing End	Region	Image
Anti Itch Balm	Ointment	0.0952 g/28g	Topical	Us Organic Group Corp	2013-03-29	Not applicable
Anti-Bacterial Sticker	Patch	0.25 mg/100mg	Topical	YCM PRODUCTS CO., LTD	2020-10-13	Not applicable
Colpermin - Src 187mg	Capsule, delayed release	187 mg / ecc	Oral	Reed & Carnrick, Division Of Block Drug Company (Canada) Ltd.	1995-12-31	2000-06-28
COLPERMIN CAPSULE 187mg	Solution	187 mg	Oral	WELLCHEM PHARMACEUTICALS PTE LTD	2004-04-11	Not applicable
Colpermin Enteric Coated Cap 187mg	Capsule, delayed release	187 mg	Oral	Tillotts Pharma Ag	1992-12-31	1997-07-22
Dr Tans Pain Releiving 3 day Herabl Patch	Patch	0.3 g/1g	Topical	Great Loong Llc	2017-05-25	Not applicable
Esprit De Menthe Poivref	Liquid	10 mL / 100 mL	Oral	Lab Valmo EnregistrÉ, Division Of Technilab Inc.	1984-12-31	2000-08-24
Luxuriant hair for solutions	Liquid	0.1 g/100g	Topical	Barona Co., Ltd	2016-02-01	Not applicable
MINTEC CAPSULES	Capsule, delayed release	184 mg	Oral	บริษัท เมก้า ไลฟ์ไซแอ็นซ์ จำกัด (มหาชน)	2018-04-09	Not applicable
Peppermint Essence 10%	Liquid	10 %	Oral	Stanley Pharmaceuticals, A Division Of Vita Health Products Inc.	1965-12-31	2000-08-17

Mixture Products

Name	Ingredients	Dosage	Route	Labeller	Marketing Start	Marketing End	Region	Image
Amol	Peppermint oil (1.963 %) + Cinnamon oil (0.24 %) + Clove oil (0.1 %) + Lavender oil (0.24 %)	Liquid	Oral	Amol Pharma Gmbh	1999-11-01	2010-03-09
Antiphlamine Coin Plaster	Peppermint oil (0.693 mg/0.2832g) + DL-alpha-Tocopherol (0.308 mg/0.2832g) + Diphenhydramine (0.246 mg/0.2832g) + Levomenthol (2.769 mg/0.2832g) + Methyl salicylate (5.541 mg/0.2832g) + Nonivamide (0.046 mg/0.2832g) + Synthetic camphor (1.108 mg/0.2832g)	Patch	Topical	Hanul Trading Co., Ltd.	2016-10-10	Not applicable
Arex Sinsin Pas	Peppermint oil (22.73 mg/1) + Levomenthol (45.45 mg/1) + Methyl salicylate (45.45 mg/1) + Synthetic camphor (17.05 mg/1) + Zinc oxide (215.91 mg/1)	Patch	Cutaneous; Topical; Transdermal	Sinsin Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.	2015-08-31	Not applicable
Arex Sinsin Pas	Peppermint oil (45.46 mg/1) + Levomenthol (90.9 mg/1) + Methyl salicylate (90.9 mg/1) + Synthetic camphor (34.1 mg/1) + Zinc oxide (431.82 mg/1)	Patch	Cutaneous; Topical; Transdermal	Sinsin Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.	2013-07-26	Not applicable
BALSEM GOSOK CAP LANG / EAGLE BRAND BALM	Peppermint oil (30.45 %) + Camphor (11.1 %)	Ointment	Topical	EAGLE PHARMA (M) SDN. BHD.	2020-09-08	Not applicable
BUĞUMENTOL BUĞU, 40 G	Peppermint oil (2 g) + Eucalyptol (2 g) + Levomenthol (1 g) + Turpentine (2 g)	Solution	Respiratory (inhalation)	DROGSAN İLAÇLARI SAN. VE TİC. A.Ş.	2020-08-14	Not applicable
Cal Mo Dol Ont	Peppermint oil (7.5 mg / g) + Camphor (15 mg / g) + Eucalyptol (25 mg / g) + Levomenthol (40 mg / g) + Methyl salicylate (100 mg / g) + Turpentine oil (3 mg / g)	Ointment	Topical	Herbes Universelles Inc.	1980-12-31	2009-07-15
Cellzyme ON-TOX	Peppermint oil (0.089 g/100g) + Eucalyptus oil (0.092 g/100g) + Ferric oxide (0.084 g/100g)	Cream	Topical	PHARMACAL-INTERNATIONAL. CO., LTD	2017-08-16	Not applicable
Cellzyme ON-TOX	Peppermint oil (0.089 g/100g) + Eucalyptus oil (0.092 g/100g) + Ferric oxide (0.084 g/100g)	Cream	Topical	PHARMACAL-INTERNATIONAL. CO., LTD	2017-08-16	Not applicable
Cellzyme ON-TOX	Peppermint oil (0.089 g/100mL) + Eucalyptus oil (0.092 g/100mL) + Ferric oxide (0.084 g/100mL)	Cream	Topical	PHARMACAL-INTERNATIONAL. CO., LTD	2017-08-16	Not applicable

Unapproved/Other Products

Name	Ingredients	Dosage	Route	Labeller	Marketing Start	Marketing End	Region	Image
Anti Itch Balm	Peppermint oil (0.0952 g/28g)	Ointment	Topical	Us Organic Group Corp	2013-03-29	Not applicable
Antiphlamine Coin Plaster	Peppermint oil (0.693 mg/0.2832g) + DL-alpha-Tocopherol (0.308 mg/0.2832g) + Diphenhydramine (0.246 mg/0.2832g) + Levomenthol (2.769 mg/0.2832g) + Methyl salicylate (5.541 mg/0.2832g) + Nonivamide (0.046 mg/0.2832g) + Synthetic camphor (1.108 mg/0.2832g)	Patch	Topical	Hanul Trading Co., Ltd.	2016-10-10	Not applicable
Co Cool	Peppermint oil (0.01 g/100g) + Menthol (0.06 g/100g) + Pine needle oil (pinus mugo) (0.01 g/100g)	Liquid	Nasal	Lydia Co., Ltd.	2019-08-22	Not applicable
Luxuriant hair for solutions	Peppermint oil (0.1 g/100g)	Liquid	Topical	Barona Co., Ltd	2016-02-01	Not applicable
Seeone Body Relax	Peppermint oil (0.09 g/120mL) + Vanillyl butyl ether (0.48 g/120mL)	Cream	Topical	Rainbow Beauty Cosmetic	2016-12-01	Not applicable
Thera Derm	Peppermint oil (13 mg/240mg) + 7-Aminodesacetoxycephalosporanic acid (450 mg/240mg) + Camphor leaf oil (6 mg/240mg) + Menthol (13 mg/240mg) + Methyl salicylate 2-ethylbutyrate (28 mg/240mg)	Lotion	Topical	Manna Omni International Incorporated	2017-10-31	Not applicable
Thera Derm Roll On	Peppermint oil (9 mg/90mg) + (-)-menthol 1-propylene glycol carbonate (9 mg/90mg) + Camphor (4 mg/90mg) + Methyl salicylate 2-ethylbutyrate (18 mg/90mg)	Liquid	Topical	Manna Omni International Incorporated	2017-07-31	Not applicable
TheraDerm	Peppermint oil (12 mg/120mg) + Camphor (5 mg/120mg) + Menthol (12 mg/120mg) + Methyl salicylate 2-ethylbutyrate (24 mg/120mg)	Spray	Topical	Manna Omni International Incorporated	2017-03-17	Not applicable
Yumaki Original Mint Tooth	Peppermint oil (0.05 g/100g) + Aminocaproic acid (0.05 g/100g) + Ascorbic acid (0.005 g/100g) + Green tea leaf (0.1 g/100g) + Levomenthol (0.1 g/100g) + Water (45.15 g/100g) + Xylitol (0.1 g/100g)	Paste, dentifrice	Topical	Jeno And Company	2017-11-01	Not applicable

Categories

ATC Codes

A03AX15 — Menthae piperitae aetheroleum

• A03AX — Other drugs for functional gastrointestinal disorders
• A03A — DRUGS FOR FUNCTIONAL GASTROINTESTINAL DISORDERS
• A03 — DRUGS FOR FUNCTIONAL GASTROINTESTINAL DISORDERS
• A — ALIMENTARY TRACT AND METABOLISM

Drug Categories

• Alimentary Tract and Metabolism
• Angiosperms
• Antiemetics
• Antifoaming Agents
• Autonomic Agents
• Biological Products
• Central Nervous System Agents
• Complex Mixtures
• Cytochrome P-450 CYP1A2 Inhibitors
• Cytochrome P-450 CYP1A2 Inhibitors (strength unknown)
• Cytochrome P-450 CYP3A Inhibitors
• Cytochrome P-450 CYP3A4 Inhibitors
• Cytochrome P-450 CYP3A4 Inhibitors (strength unknown)
• Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme Inhibitors
• Drugs for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders
• Embryophyta
• Eukaryota
• Gastrointestinal Agents
• Herbs and Natural Products
• Lamiaceae
• Lamiales
• Lipids
• Mentha
• Non-Standardized Food Allergenic Extract
• Non-Standardized Plant Allergenic Extract
• Oils
• Oils, Volatile
• Parasympatholytics
• Peripheral Nervous System Agents
• Plant Oils
• Plant Preparations
• Streptophyta
• Tracheophyta
• Viridiplantae

Classification

Not classified

Affected organisms

Not Available

Chemical Identifiers

UNII

AV092KU4JH

CAS number

8006-90-4

References

General References

1. Oh JY, Park MA, Kim YC: Peppermint Oil Promotes Hair Growth without Toxic Signs. Toxicol Res. 2014 Dec;30(4):297-304. doi: 10.5487/TR.2014.30.4.297. [Article]
2. Kligler B, Chaudhary S: Peppermint oil. Am Fam Physician. 2007 Apr 1;75(7):1027-30. [Article]
3. Grigoleit HG, Grigoleit P: Pharmacology and preclinical pharmacokinetics of peppermint oil. Phytomedicine. 2005 Aug;12(8):612-6. doi: 10.1016/j.phymed.2004.10.007. [Article]
4. Khanna R, MacDonald JK, Levesque BG: Peppermint oil for the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Clin Gastroenterol. 2014 Jul;48(6):505-12. doi: 10.1097/MCG.0b013e3182a88357. [Article]
5. Grigoleit HG, Grigoleit P: Gastrointestinal clinical pharmacology of peppermint oil. Phytomedicine. 2005 Aug;12(8):607-11. doi: 10.1016/j.phymed.2004.10.006. [Article]
6. Nath SS, Pandey C, Roy D: A near fatal case of high dose peppermint oil ingestion- Lessons learnt. Indian J Anaesth. 2012 Nov;56(6):582-4. doi: 10.4103/0019-5049.104585. [Article]
7. Cosmetic Ingredient Review: Amended Safety Assessment of Mentha Piperita (Peppermint)-derived Ingredients as Used in Cosmetics [File]
8. European Medicines Agency (EMA) COMMITTEE ON HERBAL MEDICINAL PRODUCTS (HMPC): Final Community herbal monograph on Mentha x piperita L Aetheroleum [File]

External Links

PubChem Substance

347911151

RxNav

33094

Wikipedia

Peppermint_extract

MSDS

Download (115 KB)

Clinical Trials

Clinical Trials

Phase	Status	Purpose	Conditions	Count
4	Completed	Treatment	Episodic Tension Type Headache	1
3	Completed	Treatment	Abdominal Pain / Functional Colonic Diseases / Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)	1
3	Completed	Treatment	Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)	1
3	Recruiting	Treatment	Adolescents / Adverse Drug Reaction (ADR) / Children / Functional Abdominal Pain Syndrome / Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) / Therapeutics	1
3	Terminated	Diagnostic	Colon Cancer / Colorectal Adenomas	1
3	Unknown Status	Supportive Care	Upper Gastrointestinal Endoscopy	1
2	Completed	Basic Science	Abdominal Pain / Colonic Diseases / Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) / Visceral Pain	1
2	Completed	Treatment	Cannabis Dependence	1
1	Completed	Treatment	Abdominal Pain	1
1	Enrolling by Invitation	Treatment	Nausea / Suffering, Physical	1

Pharmacoeconomics

Manufacturers

Not Available

Packagers

Not Available

Dosage Forms

Form	Route	Strength
Ointment	Topical	0.0952 g/28g
Patch	Topical	0.25 mg/100mg
Patch	Topical
Solution	Respiratory (inhalation)
Cream	Topical
Oil
Liquid	Nasal
Capsule, delayed release	Oral	187 mg / ecc
Capsule	Oral	187 mg
Solution	Oral	187 mg
Gel	Transdermal
Patch	Transdermal
Patch	Topical	0.3 g/1g
Liquid	Oral	10 mL / 100 mL
Ointment	Topical
Liquid	Respiratory (inhalation)
Liquid	Topical	0.1 g/100g
Rinse	Oral
Capsule, delayed release	Oral	184 mg
Oil	Topical
Liquid	Oral; Topical	0.1 mL / mL
Lozenge	Oral
Liniment	Topical
Patch	Cutaneous; Topical; Transdermal
Tablet	Oral
Liquid	Oral	10 %
Stick	Respiratory (inhalation); Topical	0.65 g/100g
Paste, dentifrice	Dental
Lotion	Topical
Liquid	Topical
Spray	Topical
Liquid	Oral
Capsule	Oral
Paste, dentifrice	Topical
Gel	Topical
Solution	Oral
Ointment
Solution
Solution	Oral	2 ml/100ml
Tablet
Solution	Oral	10 ml/100ml
Capsule, delayed release	Oral	187 mg

Prices

Not Available

Patents

Not Available

Properties

State

Liquid

Experimental Properties

Property	Value	Source
boiling point (°C)	215	MSDS
water solubility	Insoluble	MSDS

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Drug created at December 03, 2015 16:51 / Updated at December 03, 2023 06:20