Case

One of your teenage patients was recently diagnosed with irritable bowel disease (IBD). She read on the Internet about the use of peppermint oil to treat the symptoms of IBD and wants to know what you think. This patient also has a hiatal hernia and gastro-esophageal reflux (GER).

Answer B is correct.
Peppermint oil can reduce colonic spasm during colonoscopy.

There are case reports of laryngeal and bronchial spasms (leading to apnea) in infants when peppermint oil was applied directly to their chests and noses.

Two clinical studies have demonstrated the efficacy of topical peppermint oil in reducing colonic spasm and pain during colonoscopy.

Patients with GI reflux and hiatal hernia should avoid peppermint oil because it tends to relax the gastro-esophageal sphincter. However, the side effects of gastric discomfort are reduced when enteric-coated peppermint oil capsules are used.

Peppermint has no known effect on blood pressure.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT PEPPERMINT
Our Peppermint page has:

An in-depth monograph with references
A summary for clinicians
A handout for patients
Links to peppermint information on other websites
Click here

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Last Updated: August 14, 2001
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