Peppermint leaf (Menthae piperitae folium)

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Pfef­fer­minz­blät­ter

Name of Drug

Ment­hae pipe­ri­tae foli­um, pep­per­mint leaf.

Composition of Drug

Pep­per­mint lea­ves con­sist of the fresh or dried leaf of Men­tha x pipe­ri­ta L. [Fam. Lami­aceae], as well as its pre­pa­ra­ti­ons in effec­ti­ve dosage.

The herb con­ta­ins at least 1.2 per­cent (v/​w) essen­ti­al oil. Other ingre­di­ents are tannins cha­rac­te­ristic of Lami­aceae.

Uses

Spas­tic com­plaints of the gas­tro­in­testi­nal tract as well as gall blad­der and bile ducts.

Contraindications

In case of gall­s­to­nes, use only after con­sul­ta­ti­on with a physician.

Side Effects

None known.

Interactions with Other Drugs

None known.

Dosage

Inter­nal:

• 3 – 6 g of leaf;
• 5 – 15 g of tinc­tu­re (accor­ding to Erg. B. 6);
• equi­va­lent preparations.

Mode of Administration

Cut herb for infu­si­ons, extra­cts of pep­per­mint lea­ves for inter­nal use.

Actions

Direct anti­s­pas­mo­dic action on the smooth mus­cle of the diges­ti­ve tract
Choleretic
Carminative.

Note: The­re is a sepa­ra­te mono­graph for pep­per­mint oil.