Peppermint Caffeine

Phyto chemicals can be used to either stimulate or inhibit motility of the GIT. For example, caffeine and other phytochemicals stimulate motility (Lis-Balchim etal, 2001 Boekema et al, 1999), whereas motility is slowed by peppermint oil (Beesley et al, 1996), protease inhibitors (Schwartz et al., 1994) and several other phytochemicals (Abdullahi et al, 2001 Odetola and Acojenu, 2000 Rojas et al, 1999 Amos et al, 1998). Many of the traditional herbal medicines used for treatment of diarrhea are based on aqueous extracts that slow small intestine transit and increase residence time for digesta (Lin et al, 2002). The opiates and derivatives are particularly noteworthy (Williams et al., 1997). 

Alkaloids are compounds that contain nitrogen in a heterocyclic ring and are commonly found in about 15-20% of all vascular plants. Alkaloids are subclassified on the basis of the chemical type of their nitrogen-containing ring. They are formed as secondary metabolites from amino acids and usually present a bitter taste accompanied by toxicity that should help to repel insects and herbivores. Alkaloids are found in seeds, leaves, and roots of plants such as coffee beans, guarana seeds, cocoa beans, mate tea leaves, peppermint leaves, coca leaves, and many other plant sources. The most common alkaloids are caffeine, theophylline, nicotine, codeine, and indole... 

Caffeine is a psychostimulant that is available in a number of forms, including 100- and 200-mg tablets (i.e., Vivarin and NoDoz), 50- and 100-mg chewing-gum preparations (i.e., Stay Alert), and even 15- and 20-mg candies (i.e., Penguin peppermints and Moovitz candies). Caffeine also is a component in a wide variety of... 

Solid-liquid extraction is applied on an industrial scale to produce oils and fats from oil-bearing seeds. In the food and flavour industry, extracts and resins, such as hop, chamomile, peppermint, valerian, vanilla, red pepper and liquorice, are obtained from herbs, roots, seeds and drugs. The technology has also found application in the pharmaceutical industry for the extraction of antibiotics, alkaloids and caffeine. 

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