Mint - Peppermint

Botanical Name: Mentha piperita

  Family: Lamiaceae (Labiatae)  

Other Names: Brandy mint, balm mint

Habitat: Damp ground, waste land

Description: Perennial herb up to 1m/3ft. Hairy or hairless. Erect red tinged, quadrangular, stems. Leaves opposite, ovate up to 9cm long, 3cm wide, petiolate with serrate margin, tinged with purple. Flowers stalked, small, lilac, red/purple in tight whorls at base of the leaves July-September

Native to: England, Europe

Introduced to: America

Part used: Aerial parts

Harvesting: Just before flower open

Actions: Analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antiphlogistic, antipruritic, antiseptic, antispasmodic, antiviral, astringent, carmative, cephalic, cholagogue, cordial, emmenagogue, expectorant, febrifuge, hepatic, nervine, stomachic, sudorific, vasoconstrictor, vermifuge

Extraction: Steam distillation of flowering herb

Constituents: Essential oil: menthol (28-48%), menthone (20-31%),  methyl acetate, isomethone, menthofuran, isomenthol, neomenthol, piperitone,  alpha pinene, beta pinene, limonene, cineole, pulegone,  viridifloral, ledol.

Flavonoids: rutin, menthoside, luteolin, eryodictiol rutinosides, dimethylheptanolides

Azulenes, choline, carotenes

Combines with: Elder flowers, boneset, yarrow

Skin: Acne, dermatitis, ringworm, scabies, toothache

Circulatory, muscle joint: Neuralgia

Respiratory: Asthma, bronchitis, halitosis, and sinusitis

Digestive: Colic, dyspepsia, flatulence

Immune: Colds, flu, fevers, sore throats

Nervous system: Fainting, headache, migraine, nervous stress, and vertigo

Other Uses: Flavouring

Other Notes: Originally a hybrid between M. viridis and M. aquatica in the 17^th century

Caution: Use in moderation

Do not give to young children