Peppermint

Peppermint is commonly found in wet moist areas in much of Europe and parts of Asia (Foster et al, 1999).

Description

Peppermint is a hybrid between spearmint (M. spicata) and watermint (M. aquatica). A hardy branched perennial that grows to be anywhere from 12 to 36 inches tall, Its stem is purple in color, relatively smooth, and has few hairs. Its leaves are opposite, stalked, and have a distinct odor characteristic of peppermint. A red tinge in the leaf vein also helps characterize the species. The flower is pale-purple in color (Foster et al, 1999).

History

Peppermint has been used since the time of the ancient Egyptians as a digestive aid. In Greek and Roman times the plant was used in crowns, worn at feasts, and as a fragrant additive to sauces and wines. The herb was first included in the London Pharmocopoeia in 1721, and began to be commercially cultivated in England at this time. The United States is now the largest producer of peppermint worldwide.

When steam-distilled, the dry flower produces aromatic antiseptic oil that is traditionally used in combination with other medicines for cough, colds, colic, flatulence, and nausea. Peppermint may also be prescribed for its carminative, stimulant, and stomachic effects, as well as a cordial (Le Strange, 1977).

Current Medicinal Uses

Peppermint is used for a variety of ailments. Several studies suggest that peppermint works best in providing symptomatic relief to conditions of the gastrointestinal system. Specifically, it appears effective in treating non-ulcer dyspepsia, gastrointestinal spasm, and irritable bowel syndrome (Chaudhary 2007; Ford, et al 2008). Other studies support the topical use of peppermint essential oil in relieving tension headaches and the carminative use of peppermint lozenges in treating flatulence (Chaudhary 2007). Peppermint is also a common ingredient in rubs that are used for the relief of sore muscles and achy joints (Barceloux 2008). Other traditional uses that are either based on theory or that are supported by limited evidence include the treatment of urinary tract infections, cramps, bronchial spasms, bile duct disorders, toothaches, earaches, and asthma.

Adverse effects

In general, peppermint appears to be safe at normal dosage levels. Possible adverse effects include allergic reactions, heartburn, nausea, vomiting, and anal burning (Barceloux 2008). Use of peppermint should also be avoided in pregnant and lactating women because it has been shown to induce menstrual bleeding. Rare adverse effects include acute renal failure (Chaudhary 2007).

Comments

Peppermint is a popular flavoring used for toothpaste, gum, and tea, and is found in some ice creams, perfumery, and cigarettes (Vaughan 2003). Peppermint is a flavoring choice for alcohol and other drinks, and is an enlivening addition to salads and vegetable dishes. It is also a commonly used aromatic stimulant (Crellin 1990).

References

Barceloux, D. (2008). Medical Toxicology of Natural Substances: Food, Fungi, Medicinal Herbs. New Jersey. John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 2008

Chaudhary, S, Kligler B. (2007). Peppermint Oil. American Family Physician. 75(7):1027-1030.

Crellin, J., Philpott, J. Herbal Medicine Past and Present: A reference Guide to Medicinal Plants. Duke University Press. 1990

Ford AC, et al. Effect of fibre, antispasmodics, and peppermint oil in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome: systematic review and meta-analysis. British Medical Journal (BMJ) 2008;337:a2313

Foster, Steven, and James A. Duke. Peterson Field Guide to Medicinal Plants and Herbs Of Eastern and Central North America (2nd Edition). Houghton Mifflin Company Trade & Reference Division, 1999.

Le Strange, Richard. A History of Herbal Plants. New York: Arco Co, 1977.

Foster, Steven. Peppermint Oil. [FactSheet]. National Institutes of Health: National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (2008) http://nccam.nih.gov/health/peppermintoil/. Accessed May 26, 2010

Vaughan, J. (2003). The Oxford Book of Health Foods. Oxford University Press

Disclaimer 

Information on this website is for educational purposes only. Many herbs historically used for medicine are considered too toxic to use today; some of these herbs have caused deaths. Do not ingest these herbs based on information on this website. We have not provided sufficient information for the safe medicinal use of any of these herbs, nor sufficient information for treatment of poisoning. All recreational use of these herbs is dangerous.