Mentha spicata L. essential oil, phytochemistry and its effectiveness in flatulence

Flatulence as the continuous feeling of abdominal distension is equal to Nafkh in Iranian Traditional Medicine. Nafkh is believed to derive from the amount of stomach temperature, humidity of food or abnormal humidity in digestive tract and their interactions. Mentha spicata as cool and spicy plant with astringent and digestive property is recommended for treatment of flatulence. The information was extracted from accessible international databases, traditional books, electronic resources, and unpublished data. M. spicata essential oil with main component of carvone has potency for treatment of flatulence related to indigestion, cesarean section and dysmenorrhea. Also, it can reduce the pain severity during the colonoscopy or dysmenorrheal conditions. No hazardous effects were reported for M. spicata essential oil, if it is used in proper dosages. M. spicata essential oil can be applied for other intestinal complaints with pain and flatulence such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) that needs more deep clinical trials for demonstrating its potential. (C) 2017 Center for Food and Biomolecules, National Taiwan University. Production and hosting by Elsevier Taiwan LLC.

Automated summary

According to Iranian Traditional Medicine, Mentha spicata can be used as an herbal remedy for flatulence, and its essential oil has the potential to be effective without hazardous effects when used in proper dosages. The essential oil of the plant is effective for flatulence related to indigestion, cesarean section, and dysmenorrhea, and can reduce the severity of pain.