Peppermint Oil is a clear, transparent liquid used as a flavoring agent, and to provide a sweet, peppermint smell to food or beverages. Though it’s considered safe, some are convinced it has potentially dangerous health effects.
What Is Peppermint Oil?
Peppermint Oil is a natural oil obtained by the steam distillation of fresh overground parts of Mentha piperita L. It is a colorless to pale yellow, free-flowing liquid with a spicy, cool, menthol taste, often used as a flavoring in tea, ice cream, confectionery, chewing gum, and toothpaste.
Possible Side Effects of Peppermint Oil
Peppermint Oil is generally considered a safe ingredient. Peppermint oil may cause allergic reactions characterized by skin reaction, flushing, and headache, and worsen the symptoms of hiatal hernias, heartburn, and stomach ulcers.
GRAS Affirmation: Yes
Generally recognized as safe (GRAS) is an American Food and Drug Administration (FDA) designation that a chemical or substance added to food is considered safe by experts, and so is exempted from the usual Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA) food additive tolerance requirements. Peppermint Oil is considered safe by FDA.
Suggested Dosage
NA.
Special Populations Precaution
There is a lot of concern about diet and nutrition for these population, like Newborns, children, pregnant, sensitive to Peppermint Oil populations. Better consult to your doctor if you would like to intake Peppermint Oil.
Related Research
1. Peppermint oil for the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis. [J Clin Gastroenterol. 2014 Jul] Author: Khanna R, MacDonald JK, Levesque BG.
2. [1.6% peppermint oil solution as intestinal spasmolytic in retrograde endoscopic cholangiopancreatography]. [Farm Hosp. 2012 Jul-Aug] Author: Solà-Bonada N, de Andrés-Lázaro AM, Roca-Massa M, Bordas-Alsina JM, Codina-Jané C, Ribas-Sala J.
3. Spasmolytic effect of peppermint oil in barium during double-contrast barium enema compared with Buscopan. [Clin Radiol. 2003 Apr] Author: Asao T, Kuwano H, Ide M, Hirayama I, Nakamura JI, Fujita KI, Horiuti R.