Comparisons
Peppermint Leaf Tea or Peppermint Oil?
Dried peppermint leaf (Menthae piperitae folium) and peppermint essential oil (Menthae piperitae aetheroleum) have separate EMA monographs with distinct rules for safe use.
| Aspect | MintMentha × piperita | Peppermint OilMentha × piperita |
|---|---|---|
| Strongest evidence | T Traditional use | A Strong clinical evidence |
| Needs | Digestion | Digestion, Joints, Bones & Pain, Respiratory, Throat & Mouth |
| Form | Dried Herb & Tea | Essential Oil |
| How to use | Pour 100–150 ml of boiling water over 1.5–3 g of dried peppermint leaf. | Only as gastro-resistant capsules (ready-made): 0.2–0.4 ml oil per capsule, swallowed whole 30 minutes before a meal. |
| Pregnancy | Avoid | Avoid |
| Breastfeeding | Avoid | Avoid |
| Recommended minimum age | From age 4 | From age 8 |
| Drug interactions | No recorded interactions | Interactions reported |
| Duration limit | See a doctor if no better after 2 weeks | Not stated |
Which one, when?
Mint
Traditionally drunk as a brewed tea for indigestion and flatulence; can be used from age 4 in age-appropriate doses.
Full card →Peppermint Oil
Used in gastro-resistant capsules for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or diluted on the temples for tension headache.
Full card →Good to know
- Do not drink drops of pure peppermint essential oil in water; it relaxes the oesophageal sphincter and causes severe heartburn.
- Never use peppermint oil in children under 2 because menthol can trigger reflex apnoea.