17. Peppermint
Peppermint oil is derived from the leaves of the peppermint plant, which has long been used as a digestive aid. Many over-the-counter health products, including toothpastes and mouthwashes, now use it as a flavoring component. Menthol, a component of peppermint, is used in topical remedies for a variety of ailments, including congestion and muscle aches. The smooth muscle cells that line much of the gastrointestinal tract relax when peppermint oil is applied. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and indigestion have been the subjects of the most research. Despite inconsistent outcomes from clinical research in persons with IBS, two major analyses revealed a slight effect. When compared to those who took a placebo, people with IBS who took peppermint oil had reduced flatulence, stomach pain, and bloating. Peppermint oil, administered by enema, can aid persons who are having a barium examination of the large intestine ease intestinal spasms. Peppermint relaxes the sphincter between the esophagus and the stomach (the lower esophageal sphincter), causing gastroesophageal reflux and heartburn. It can exacerbate reflux symptoms in persons who have a hiatal hernia and, predictably, those who have gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Peppermint oil (0.2 to 0.4 milliliters three times a day) is administered in enteric-coated capsules in trials of persons with IBS, allowing it to skip the esophagus and stomach before being broken down and digested.
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