Evidence supporting the use of: Peppermint leaf
For the health condition: Afterbirth Pain
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 1
Peppermint leaf (Mentha × piperita) has a long history of use in traditional medicine, particularly for digestive complaints and as a mild analgesic. Regarding afterbirth pain (uterine cramps experienced by women after childbirth as the uterus contracts back to its pre-pregnancy size), peppermint has been used traditionally in some cultures to provide comfort and reduce discomfort, mainly through its antispasmodic and soothing effects. The essential oils in peppermint, especially menthol, are believed to have muscle relaxant properties, which could theoretically help ease uterine cramping.
However, scientific evidence supporting the use of peppermint leaf specifically for afterbirth pain is minimal to nonexistent. Most clinical research on peppermint focuses on its effects on gastrointestinal smooth muscle and conditions like irritable bowel syndrome, with very limited or no direct studies addressing postpartum uterine pain. Some anecdotal reports and folk traditions mention its use, but these are not substantiated by controlled trials. Therefore, while peppermint leaf may be employed in traditional remedies for afterbirth pain, its efficacy for this indication remains largely unproven by modern scientific standards.
Other ingredients used for Afterbirth Pain
ashwagandhablack cohosh
chamomile
turmeric
fennel
ginger
ginseng
lavender
licorice root
parsley
rhodiola
xanthium (cockleburs)
shen-chu
mugwort
anise
punarnava
caesalpinia crista
boxthorne
goldenrod
yarrow
myrrh
siler root
fern
trichosanthes
queen of the meadow
arnica
Avens
Agrimony
Achyranthes
Alchemilla
Aletris
Anserina
Aerva lanata
American Liverleaf
Aquilegia formosa
Ashoka
Abuta
Amor seco
Arisaema
Blue Cohosh
Bai Ji
Baliospermum
Black-Eyed Susan
Balsam
Bishop's Weed
Butea monosperma
Bethroot
Comfrey
Cohosh
Calendula
Calotropis gigantea
Capillary Artemisia
Cinquefoil
Cyathula
Cynodon dactylon
Castor Oil
Chrysophanics
Didymocarpus
Dragon's Blood
Davilla rugosa
Erigeron
Eupolyphaga sinensis
Eupatorium
Little ironweed
Other health conditions supported by Peppermint leaf
Abdominal PainAcid Indigestion
Afterbirth Pain
Appetite (deficient)
Belching
Bites and Stings
Boils
Bronchitis
Colds (decongestant)
Colds (general)
Congestion
Congestion (bronchial)
Congestion (lungs)
Congestion (sinus)
Cough (general)
Cough (spastic)
Cramps and Spasms
Digestion (poor)
Dyspepsia
Fever
Gas and Bloating
Gastritis
Headache (general)
Headache (sinus)
Headache (tension)
Indigestion
Insect Repellant
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Itching
Nausea and Vomiting
Pain (general remedies for)
Rhinitis