Peppermint

Mentha x piperita

Mechanism

Peppermint leaves contain essential oil with menthol and menthone as well as flavonoids. Menthol acts traditionally as a carminative and mild antispasmodic on the smooth gut musculature; in herbal mixtures peppermint is moreover used as a palatability enhancer (acceptance promotion). Robust controlled studies in the horse are largely lacking — the data stem mainly from human and in-vitro investigations; equine use is shaped by empirical medicine.

Cautions

· Essential oils dose-dependently irritant — keep dosing moderate
· Use cautiously in case of gastric sensitivity (reflux)

Sources

ESCOPESCOP Monographie Menthae piperitae folium

EMA/HMPC Menthae piperitae foliumEMA/HMPC — Pfefferminz-Monographie (Mentha x piperita L., folium)

PMID:16121522Grigoleit & Grigoleit 2005 (Phytomedicine) — Gastrointestinale Pharmakologie Pfefferminzöl

Equiterna Score

57/100

solid

Science4.5/10

Practical experience6/10

Safety7/10

Overall score scale

high overall75–100solid55–74limited0–54

How the Equiterna Score is built

The Equiterna Score combines three dimensions into a value of 0-100: science (40%), practical experience (30%) and safety (30%). It is transparently derived from evidence level, attributed sources (PubMed/journals), legal classification and cautions. The FEI doping status is shown separately as a competition-law note and does not enter the score. Commissions and vendor relationships have no influence on the score. In addition, the editorial safety rating caps the result: it limits the safety dimension and the overall tier (orange: at most solid). For entries rated red, no score is calculated at all. The rating never raises anything — a green rating does not lift a calculated value.

An editorial assessment of the evidence and safety situation — not a healing claim and not an individual recommendation. It does not replace veterinary advice.

Dosageapprox. 10–25 g dried leaves/animal/day (large horse); dose essential oils sparingly

AMG statusComplementary feed

FEI statusNot listed

SafetyWith caution

Evidenceemerging

Usage note

This content is for information and education. It does not replace veterinary diagnosis or treatment. If your horse shows signs of illness, consult a veterinarian.

“Nothing forced can ever be beautiful.”

Xenophon · On Horsemanship (c. 365 BC)

Equiterna is an intermediary platform for equine knowledge, marketplace and tools — not a veterinary-medicines dealer, veterinary practice or pharmacy. Compound information is study-attributed and free of healing claims. Legal framework: Regulation (EU) 2019/6 / TAMG (DE/AT), Feed Regulation (EC) 767/2009, FEI Prohibited Substances List, HWG.