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
Frequently asked questions
Is Peppermint a feed or a veterinary medicine for horses?
Equiterna classes Peppermint as “Complementary feed”. Legal framework: Regulation (EU) 2019/6 / TAMG (DE/AT), Feed Regulation (EC) 767/2009.
Is Peppermint allowed at FEI competitions?
In the profile, Peppermint is listed with the FEI status “Not listed”. The current FEI list is authoritative, so please check its latest version.
Which dosage do the sources give for Peppermint?
Stated in the profile: approx. 10–25 g dried leaves/animal/day (large horse); dose essential oils sparingly. This is information from the literature, not an instruction for an individual horse.
Which sources are there for Peppermint?
The profile cites: ESCOP, EMA/HMPC Menthae piperitae folium, and PMID:16121522.
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.”
Equiterna is an intermediary platform for equine knowledge, marketplace and tools — not a veterinary-medicines dealer, veterinary practice or pharmacy. Compound information is source-attributed (PubMed, specialist journals, NRC/GfE, EU regulations) and free of healing claims. Legal framework: Regulation (EU) 2019/6 / TAMG (DE/AT), Feed Regulation (EC) 767/2009, FEI Prohibited Substances List, HWG.