Peppermint Oil: Clinical Uses in the Treatment of Gastrointestinal Diseases - Abstract
Peppermint oil has been used for centuries as a remedy for nausea, indigestion,
and a host of other medical symptoms. Over the course of the past several years,
studies have looked at the benefit of peppermint oil in Irritable Bowel Syndrome,
functional dyspepsia and endoscopy and barium-induced spasm of the gastrointestinal
tract. The benefit of peppermint oil is thought to be due to anti-spasmodic effects,
as well as anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial effects. Although more research
may be beneficial, peppermint oil shows evidence justifying a more expanded using
gastrointestinal disease management. This review focuses on the physiology and recent
literature illustrating potential use of peppermint oil.