Respiratory: Peppermint can help as a decongestant for sinusitis (1), relax bronchial muscles, loosen mucus, and treat bronchitis, flu, cough, and colds.

Gastrointestinal: Indigestion, bloating of IBS, bloating, gas, diarrhea, constipation, cramps, nausea, and vomiting (after cancer treatment), anti-spasmodic properties, decreases inflammation of oral mucosa.

Genitourinary: UTI, dysmenorrhea (decreases menstrual cramps), regulates irregular menstrual cycles, PMS.

Musculoskeletal: Arthralgia, myalgia (decreases muscle pain when used topically)(2), neuralgia (applied topically), cramps

Neurologic: It may improve brain function, alertness, concentration, insomnia, fatigue, and memory. It may also help prevent dementia and tension headaches (topical, aerosol). It may also help calm headaches, migraines (topical), and neuralgia.

Skin: Cuts, insect bites, burns, eczema, rashes, dandruff, lice, promotes healthy hair, helps pruritis and skin inflammation (topical), local anesthesia (use caution), sunburn, acne, ringworm, bed sores

Mental Health: Invigorating

Immunity: Boosts immunity

Cancer: Anti-cancer

Other: May help with opioid withdrawal and may help reduce fever when applied topically as an oil, mosquito, and tick repellant

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SIDE EFFECTS Flushing, headaches, mouth sores, heartburn, diarrhea, nausea, abdominal pain, dry mouth, rectal burning, watery eyes, dermatitis (skin irritation - with topical use), skin burning (topical use), dry or burning mouth, and mouth ulcers.

CAUTION/CONTRAINDICATIONS: GERD, hiatal hernia, active gastric ulcers (can worsen). Do not apply potent oils directly to the face. According to RxList, some peppermint varieties (particularly oil) may affect drugs metabolized by several CYP450 pathways - causing some medications not to be metabolized and eliminated. Those medications accumulate, creating higher-than-normal levels in your body. It is good to check for peppermint and medication interactions before ingesting peppermint oils or capsules containing peppermint oils. Examples: CYP 450 3A4 -Some antibiotics, antifungal medications, cyclosporine, some blood pressure medications (esp Losartan, Inderal, Propanolol, verapamil, and others),

CYP3A4 Allegra, some antifungals (ketaconazole), Lovastatin, Abilify, Xanax

CYP1A2 Elavil, Zofran, Haldol

CYP2C19 The "PPIs" Prilosec, Prevacid, Protonix, Nexium

CYP2C9 Diclofenac, mobic/meloxicam, Coumadin, Glipizide

Minor problems with some antacids like TUMS and H2 blockers like Tagamet, Pepcid, and others.

FORMS: capsules, teas, gels, extracts, tinctures, infusions, sprays, nasal ointment, lotions, mouthwash, rinses - Many peppermint remedies are used in the essential oil form. See "essential oils."

DOSAGES: As directed

Reported doses – May NOT be supported by evidence reported by various sources (WebMD, RxList, Epocrates, German Commission E). Read dosages and instructions carefully when available on label.

• 270 mg-1350 mg orally daily for up to 4 weeks (3). Topical preparations vary by use and product. 3-6 gm of leaf daily (German Commission ).

Note: Different geographical areas tend to have different flavor strengths. For example, Oregonian and Michigan are known to have a more robust mint flavor.

*Disclaimer: The material above is for informational purposes only. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure a condition. The uses listed above are tentative; some have or are undergoing research trials, but many are not FDA-approved. It is essential that you investigate these supplements further before deciding to use them. Check interactions and contraindications on sites like Drugs.com or WebMD. Do not attempt to treat a serious condition like liver, kidney problems, high blood pressure, heart, cancer, diabetes, or thyroid issues without discussing it with a healthcare provider first. If you are pregnant, do not use supplements without discussing it with your healthcare provider