Evidence supporting the use of: Peppermint
For the health condition: Nausea and Vomiting

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2

Peppermint (Mentha × piperita) has a long history of use for digestive ailments, including nausea and vomiting. Scientifically, its most active constituent, menthol, is thought to exert antispasmodic effects on the smooth muscle of the gastrointestinal tract by blocking calcium channels. This action may help reduce sensations of nausea and calm the stomach.

Several clinical studies have explored peppermint’s efficacy for nausea, but results are mixed and generally modest. Peppermint oil aromatherapy has been evaluated in postoperative and chemotherapy-induced nausea. A 2019 systematic review in the journal Complementary Therapies in Medicine concluded that while some small studies showed benefit, the overall evidence is inconclusive and limited by small sample sizes and methodological weaknesses. A few trials have found that inhaled peppermint oil reduced nausea severity in post-operative patients compared to placebo or standard care, but other studies have found no significant difference.

Oral peppermint oil is more often studied for symptoms like irritable bowel syndrome and abdominal pain than for nausea specifically. Safety profiles are generally favorable when peppermint is used appropriately, but it can cause heartburn and allergic reactions in some individuals.

In summary, there is scientific rationale for peppermint’s use in nausea, and some clinical evidence to support its benefit, but the quality and quantity of evidence are limited. Its effectiveness for nausea and vomiting cannot be considered well established.

More about Peppermint
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