SummaryThis review focuses on contact dermatitis as an adverse effect of a selection of topically used herbal medicinal products for which the European Medicines Agency has completed an evaluation up to the end of November 2013 and for which a Community herbal monograph -now (since 2015) † called a European Union herbal monograph -has been produced. Peppermint (Mentha × piperita L.) is a hybrid mint produced by crossing Mentha aquatica L., the water mint, and In accordance with EMA policy on scientific publications, the following disclaimer is added: 'The views expressed in this article are the personal views of the authors and may not be understood or quoted as being made on behalf of or reflecting the position of the European Medicines Agency or one of its committees or working parties.' There are no other conflicts of interests to declare for the other authors.
Accepted for publication 13 September 2015Mentha spicata L., the spearmint (1). First described by the English naturalist John Ray in 1696, peppermint now grows all over the world. This popular herb is used in numerous forms (oil, leaf, leaf extract, and leaf water) in cosmetics, personal hygiene products, foods and pharmaceutical products for its flavouring, fragrance and therapeutic properties (2-4).The EU herbal monograph on peppermint oil (5) recognizes the traditional use of the oil in liquid or semi-solid preparations for cutaneous and transdermal use, for inhalation, and for oromucosal use. The cutaneous and transdermal uses include the symptomatic relief of localized muscle pain, the symptomatic relief of localized pruritic conditions in intact skin, and the relief of symptoms of coughs and colds. The monograph also recognizes as well established the oral use of the oil in gastro-resistant capsules for the symptomatic relief of minor spasms of the gastrointestinal tract, flatulence, and abdominal pain, especially in patients with irritable bowel syndrome, and the cutaneous use of the oil for the symptomatic relief of mild tension-type headache.Peppermint leaf is also the subject of an EU herbal monograph (6). However, no dermatological uses for teas