What is it used for?
All products
(Traditionally) used in Herbal Medicine (as a stomachic) to aid digestion [Source note 3].
(Traditionally) used in Herbal Medicine (as a carminative) to help relieve flatulent dyspepsia [Source note 4].
Essential oil
(Traditionally) used in Herbal Medicine to help relieve nausea and vomiting [Source note 5].
The above uses can be combined on the product label if from the same traditional or non-traditional system of medicine (e.g., Traditionally used in Herbal Medicine to aid in digestion and help relieve flatulent dyspepsia).
For multi-ingredient products:
To prevent the product from being represented as a "traditional medicine", any indicated traditional use claim must refer to the specific active ingredient(s) and recognized traditional system of medicine from which the claim originates when 1) both traditional and modern claims are present or 2) when claims originate from multiple systems of traditional medicine (e.g., Peppermint is traditionally used in Herbal Medicine to aid digestion).
When ALL of the active ingredients (MIs) in the product are used within the SAME identified system of traditional medicine AND the product makes ONLY traditional claims, listing of MIs in the traditional claim(s) is not required.
Who does this guide cover?
As specified below.
How is it taken?
Oral
Which forms are covered?
this reference excludes foods or food-like dosage forms as indicated in the Compendium of references Guidance Document.
Quantities
Methods of preparation: Dry, Powdered, Non-Standardized Extracts (Dry extract*, Tincture, Fluid extract, Decoction, Decoction concentrate, Infusion, Infusion concentrate)
| Subpopulation(s)¹,² | Subpopulation(s)¹,² | Peppermint dried leaf (g/day) / Minimum | Peppermint dried leaf (g/day) / Maximum |
|---|---|---|---|
| Children | |||
| Children | 2-4 years | 0.2 g | 2 g |
| Children | 5-9 years | 0.3 g | 3 g |
| Children | 10-11 years | 0.6 g | 6 g |
| Adolescents | |||
| Adolescents | 12-14 years | 0.6 g | 6 g |
| Adolescents | 15-17 years | 1.2 g | 12 g |
| Adults | |||
| Adults | 18 years and older | 1.2 g | 12 g |
¹Children and adolescent doses were calculated as a fraction of the adult dose [Source note 6]. The use of peppermint leaf in children and adolescents is supported by the following references: McIntyre 2005; Bove 1996. ²Adult dose supported by the following references: Mills and Bone 2005; ESCOP 2003; Blumenthal et al. 2000; Bradley 1992.
*Note: Solvents allowed for the method of preparation "Non-Standardized Extracts (Dry extract)" as part of this reference are ethanol and/or water only.
Method of preparation: Oil, Essential (water steam distillation)
| Subpopulation(s)¹,² | Subpopulation(s)¹,² | Peppermint essential oil (μl/day) / Minimum | Peppermint essential oil (μl/day) / Maximum |
|---|---|---|---|
| Children | |||
| Children | 2-4 years | 10 μl | 130 μl |
| Children | 5-9 years | 15 μl | 200 μl |
| Children | 10-11 years | 30 μl | 400 μl |
| Adolescents | |||
| Adolescents | 12-14 years | 30 μl | 400 μl |
| Adolescents | 15-17 years | 60 μl | 800 μl |
| Adults | |||
| Adults | 18 years and older | 60 μl | 800 μl |
¹Children and adolescent doses were calculated as a proportion of the adult dose [Source note 7]. The use of peppermint essential oil in children and adolescents is supported by the following references: McIntyre 2005; Bove 1996. ²Adult dose supported by the following references: ESCOP 2003; Blumenthal et al. 2000.
How is it used?
The reference does not require an additional label statement in this section. This does not establish an absence of risk.
How long is it used?
The reference does not require an additional label statement in this section. This does not establish an absence of risk.
Warnings and precautions
All products
Ask a healthcare professional if symptoms persist or worsen.
Ask a healthcare professional before use if you are pregnant or breastfeeding
Ask a healthcare professional before use if you have gallstones or anemia [Source note 8].
Essential oil
Ask a healthcare professional before use if you have hiatus hernia or gastroesophageal reflux [Source note 9].
When should it be avoided?
The reference does not require an additional label statement in this section. This does not establish an absence of risk.
Possible side effects
Essential oil
When using this product you may experience gastroesophageal reflux [Source note 10].
Stop use if hypersensitivity/allergy occurs [Source note 11].
Storage
Must be established in accordance with the requirements described in the applicable product regulations.
Conditions for combined preparations
No permitted combinations between the two active ingredients listed in Tables 1 and 2.
Preparation details
Ingredient identity, preparation requirements, and other details that define the scope of this guide.
Ingredients and preparations
Peppermint dried leaf
| Proper name(s) | Common name(s) | Source information / Source material(s) | Source information / Part(s) | Source information / Preparation(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mentha x piperita | Peppermint | Mentha x piperita | Leaf | Dry |
References: Proper name: USDA 2024; Common name: Gardner and McGuffin 2013; Source information: ESCOP 2003.
Peppermint essential oil
| Proper name(s) | Common name(s) | Source information / Source material(s) | Source information / Part(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mentha x piperita | Peppermint essential oil | Mentha x piperita | Leaf |
References: Proper name: USDA 2024; Source information: ESCOP 2003.
Other ingredients
Must be chosen from the current source ingredient database and must meet the limitations outlined in the database.
Preparation and quality requirements
The finished product specifications must be established in accordance with the requirements described in the source authority source’s product quality guidance.
The active ingredient must comply with the requirements outlined in the source ingredient database.
Guide change history
Updates to this SupplementSafety.org guide.
Minor updates
Updated guide wording, organization, and source presentation. Added our editorial change history.
Initial release
Initial SupplementSafety.org guide prepared from source reference material.
Validation: Not yet completed. Editorial updates do not constitute clinical validation.
Sources
Source information
This guide organizes source material about uses, preparations, amounts, and precautions. Read the conditions alongside each statement; the information may apply only to particular preparations or populations.
The source document includes supporting references. We have not independently summarized or assessed every cited study for this guide.
- Source document version
- February 27, 2026
- Source captured
- Aug 15, 2026
- Editorial work
- Editorial preparation. Independent clinical review has not been recorded for this guide.
Full citations are available through the link above. Verification is required to open them; reading this guide does not require verification.
Taking a medication too?
Explore our supplement–medication interaction checker. Its coverage and review status are shown with the results; a missing finding does not establish that a combination is safe.