P
to relax GI smooth muscles, peppermint oil may sometimes worsen symptoms of hiatal hernia. Coated
pills opening too soon (in stomach) may cause gastralgia and heartburn. Excessive ingestion of the
oil is associated with acute renal failure and interstitial nephrosis. Menthol reactions include reported
cases of urticaria, allergic cheilitis, stomatosis, and rarely, shaking chills from use of topical menthol
products. GI complaints due to use of peppermint preparations include stomatosis, severe esophagitis,
gastrosis, unexplained diarrhea, and pancreatitis. Menthol in nasal preparations may cause spasm of
the glottis in young children (AEH). Should not be inhaled by small children (AEH). Menthol-
containing ointments applied to an infant’s nostrils have produced immediate collapse. “Peppermint
tea should not be given to infants or very young children because the pungent fragrance can cause
gagging” (Castleman, 1996). Estimated LD for menthol in humans may be as low as 2 g. Survival
after doses of 8 to 9 g have been reported. I fear APA erred in saying that it took 1 g/kg body weight
menthol to be lethal in humans (APA). Estimated LD50 for peppermint oil in humans = 2000–9000
mg (2–9 g). Peppermint oil has an antispasmodic action on isolated segments of ileum (cats and
rabbits) at 50 ppm (dilutions no greater than 1:20,000).
Extracts (Peppermint) — Peppermint oil antagonizes the spasmogenic action of barium chloride,
pilocarpine, and physostigmine. Antispasmodic action of peppermint oil is based on properties that
are characteristic of calcium antagonists. Peppermint oil acts competitively with nifedepine and
blocks Ca2+-exciting stimuli. It relaxes ileal longitudinal muscles, but less so than papaverine (SHT).
Antiviral and carminative effects demonstrated in vivo and in vitro (PNC).PERILLA (Perilla frutescens (L.) Britton) ++Synonyms: Dentidia nankinensis Lour., Ocimum frutescens L., Perilla arguta Benth., P. frutescens
var. japonica (Hassk.) H. Hara, P. nankinensis (Lour.) Decne., P. ocimoides L.
Activities (Perilla) — Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor (1; HH3); Allergenic (f; PH2); Analgesic (f;
CRC); Antibacterial (1; PH2); Anticancer (1; PH2); Antidote (f; CRC); Antidote, crab (f; PH2);
Antidote, fish (f; PH2); Antimelanomic (1; HH3); Antinephrotic (1; X11270716); Antioxidant (1;
CRC); Antiproliferant (1; X11270716); Antipyretic (f; CRC); Antiseptic (1; CRC; PH2; WOI);
Antispasmodic (f; CRC; FAY; HHB); Antitussive (f; CRC; DAA); Antiulcer (1; HH3); Carminative