About 240 children are taking part in the so-called MINT study, which is being conducted at the St. Antonius Hospital in Nieuwegein. Twelve other hospitals with gastroenterologists and a pediatric ward are also collaborating. One group of children is given peppermint oil, another section is given a placebo, and the third group is given a peppermint. “We expect the peppermint oil to work better than the placebo, but we don’t know so well with the regular mints,” says Koen Vermeijden, physician-researcher of the MINT study.
–
–
Affordable
That makes it all the more interesting, he says, to find out. At the moment, peppermint oil is already advised for stomach complaints, although it is not yet certain whether it really works in children. “You can imagine that it is an affordable drug if it turns out to be effective,” Vermeijden tells EditieNL. “Everyone can buy peppermint oil at the drugstore and it doesn’t necessarily have to be prescription.”
–
–
Mint as medicine
Menthol, which is made from mint, has been believed for many years to have healing properties. And not just for intestinal complaints. In the past it was used for headaches, colds and digestive problems. The oil variant, peppermint oil, was used, among other things, to cure itchy skin diseases.
Source: The Herbal Encyclopedia
–
–
During the study, the children are given one or two mints three times a day. It has peppermint oil in it. The dosage depends on the age. If the complaints stay away and the medicine proves to be effective, then that is not only good for the parents.
“Peppermints are just candies. That is attractive for the children and it could save hospital visits,” says Vermeijden. Currently, chronic abdominal pain – prolonged abdominal pain in combination with hard or soft stools – is a common reason for hospital visits for children.
–
–
Pain Relieving Candies
Although peppermint oil has not yet been proven to be effective in children, research by Maastricht UMC+ from 2019 shows that it does help against Irritable Bowel Syndrome in adults. And, according to the experience of Mariska Schaefer of Het Oud-Hollandsch Snoepwinkeltje, there are more ‘candies’ that help against physical complaints. “There are certain licorice varieties with French thyme that help with stomach pain, and you have hard varieties for the throat.”
–
–
“Licorice and licorice generally help against low blood pressure. Ginger licorice is especially good for this,” Schaefer continues. “If you have high blood pressure, licorice is not good.”
–
–
Schaefer also has candy advice for pregnant women – although she does give this with a small wink. “Don’t take candies with pineapple and cinnamon when you’re pregnant, unless you want to induce contractions. Then those candies can actually help.”
And peppermint? He is not unknown to Schaefer either. “You used to have stomach peppermint for people who suffered from stomach problems and children used to be given sugar peppermint for the cod liver oil.”
–
–
Unhealthy?
If peppermint also turns out to be effective against unexplained stomach complaints in children, then according to doctor Vermeijden we should not think too much about giving our children sweets. “You would think that candy is not healthy, but it can be good for children who find it difficult to take peppermint oil. It is a good alternative to take something for the stomach pain, and it lowers the threshold for children. “
–
–
