Peppermint

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Peppermint
Description

Peppermint (Mentha piperita ) is an aromatic perennial plant that grows to a height of

about 3 ft (1 m). It has light purple flowers and green leaves with serrated edges.
Peppermint belongs to the Lamiaceae family and grows throughout North
America, Asia, and Europe. There are more than 25 species of true mint grown
throughout the world.

The plant is harvested when the oil content is highest. When ready for harvest, it is
always collected in the morning, before noon sun reduces the leaf essential oil content.
This generally takes place shortly before the plant blooms, which occurs in the summer
(July through August) or during dry, sunny weather. The United States is responsible for
producing 75% of the world's supply of peppermint.

History

Peppermint is a natural hybrid of water mint (Mentha aquatica ) and spearmint (Mentha

spicata ) and was first cultivated in England in the late seventeenth century. The herb
has been used as a remedy for indigestion since Ancient Egyptian times. In fact, dried
peppermint leaves were found in Egyptian pyramids dating back to 1000 b.c. The
ancient Greeks and Romans valued it as a stomach soother. During the eighteenth
century, peppermint became popular in Western Europe as a folk remedy for nausea,
vomiting, morning sickness, respiratory infections, and menstrual disorders.
Peppermint was first listed in the London Pharmacopoeia in 1721. In modern times it
appears in the British Herbal Pharmacopoeia as a remedy for intestinal colic, gas,
colds, morning sickness, and menstruation pain.

Properties

Peppermint is a cooling, relaxing herb that contains properties that help ease inflamed
tissues, calm muscle spasms or cramps, and inhibit bacteria and microorganisms. It
also has pain-relieving and infection-preventing qualities.

The medicinal parts of peppermint are derived from the whole plant, and include a
volatile oil, flavonoids, phenolic acids, and triterpenes. The plant is primarily cultivated
for its oil, which is extracted from the leaves of the flowering plant.

The essential oil contains the principal active ingredients of the plant: menthol,
menthone, and menthyl acetate. Menthyl acetate is responsible for peppermint's minty
aroma and flavor. Menthol, peppermint's main active ingredient, is found in the leaves
and flowering tops of the plant. It provides the cool sensation of the herb.
The menthol content of peppermint oil determines the quality of its essential oil. This
varies depending upon climate, habitat, and where the peppermint is grown. For
instance, American peppermint oil contains 50–78% menthol, while English peppermint
oil has a menthol content of 60–70%. Japanese peppermint oil contains 85% menthol.
Peppermint and its oils help with intestinal function.

Peppermint also contains vitamins A and C, magnesium, potassium, inositol, niacin,

copper, iodine, silicon, iron , and sulfur .

General Use

Peppermint is one of the most popular flavoring agents. Many products contain
peppermint, including chewing gum, mints and candies, ice cream and other sweets,
tobacco, toothpaste, mouthwash, cough drops, teas, alcoholic liqueurs, and
digestive aids. It is also used to scent soaps, perfumes, detergents, lipsticks and other
cosmetics, and is an ingredient in many over-the-counter medications. Therapeutically,
peppermint is used to treat many ailments of the skin, circulatory system, respiratory
system, digestive system, immune system, and nervous system.

Peppermint and headaches

Peppermint's pain-relieving effects on headaches have been known for many years.
The first documented report to link peppermint and headache relief was published in
1879. A more recent study took place in Germany in 1996. In this double-blind study,
researchers found that an ethanol solution containing 10% peppermint oil was as
effective in relieving headache pain as 1,000 mg of acetaminophen. In another study,
32 people with headaches massaged peppermint oil on their temples. The results
showed that the peppermint oil significantly relieved their pain.

When applied to the skin, peppermint reduces sensitivity and relieves pain. Rubbed on
the temples, across the forehead, and behind the neck, peppermint oil helps to ease
digestive-related headaches and migraines by generating a cooling effect on the skin
and relaxing cranial muscles.

Peppermint as a digestive aid

Peppermint is employed in the treatment of various digestive ailments, such as irritable

bowel syndrome, Crohn's disease, diverticulitis, liver and gallbladder complaints,
loss of appetite, spastic colon, diarrhea, gas, bloating, colic, cramps, and heartburn.
The infused herb tea of peppermint or a few drops of its essential oil stimulate the flow
of digestive juices and the production of bile, a substance that helps to digest fats. This
eases indigestion, relieves gas, reduces colon spasms, and eases motion sickness
and nausea. When peppermint is taken after a meal, its effects will reduce gas and help
the digestion of food by reducing the amount of time the food is in the stomach. This is
one reason after-dinner mints are so popular.
The compounds of the essential oil have antispasmodic properties that reduce spasms
of the colon and intestinal tract and relax the stomach muscles. Peppermint has a
soothing effect on the lining and muscles of the colon, which helps to relieve diarrhea
and spastic colon.

Menthol acts to stimulate the stomach lining. Its cooling properties soothe the stomach
and ease stomach pain. Peppermint oil is popular in the treatment of motion and sea
sickness and nausea associated with pregnancy. It acts as an anesthetic to the
stomach wall and eases vomiting and nausea. An account on the effects of peppermint
on nausea appeared in the September 1997 issue of the Journal of Advanced Nursing,
in which gynecological patients were given peppermint oil to counter post-operative
nausea. The patients reported less nausea and required fewer drugs to treat the
nausea.

A German health commission, German Commission E, has endorsed peppermint tea as

a treatment for indigestion. Clinical trials in Denmark and Britain in the 1990s confirmed
peppermint's actions as a therapeutic treatment for irritable bowel syndrome. In 1996, a
German study was performed to research the therapeutic benefits of peppermint
essential oil on irritable bowel syndrome. Subjects with irritable bowel syndrome were
given enteric-coated capsules containing peppermint and caraway oils. Results showed
that the pain symptoms, which ranged from moderate to severe, improved in 89.5% of
the group.

Peppermint and respiratory ailments

Peppermint is an expectorant and decongestant. It is used to help treat many

respiratory ailments including asthma, bronchitis, sinusitis, and coughs.

Peppermint is an element of many cough preparations, not only for its pleasant flavor,
but also because it contains compounds that help ease coughs. Constituents of
peppermint increase the production of saliva, causing frequent swallowing and
suppressing the cough reflex.

German Commission E has officially recognized peppermint's ability to reduce

inflammation of nasal passageways. When menthol vapors are inhaled, nasal
passageways are opened to provide temporary relief of nasal and sinus congestion.

Peppermint essential oil is an ingredient in many commercial chest and cold rubs.
These are popularly rubbed onto the chest to ease congestion.

A tea made from the leaves can stimulate the immune system and relieve the
congestion of colds, flus, and upper respiratory infections.

Other conditions

Peppermint is an effective relaxant and can be helpful in treating nervous insomnia,

stress, anxiety, and restlessness.
 Many over-the-counter balms and liniments contain peppermint essential oil. These are
applied externally to relieve muscle pain, arthritis, itching, and fungal infections.

Peppermint induces sweating and can help bring down fevers. It is said that it
contains antioxidants that help prevent cancer and heart disease. The essential oil is
a powerful antiseptic and is useful in treating bad breath and sore throats. It is also
beneficial in preventing tooth decay and gum disease.

A plant with potent antiviral properties, peppermint can help fight viruses that cause
ailments such as influenza, herpes, yeast infections, and mumps. Peppermint is also
used as an earache remedy, to dissolve gallstones, to ease muscle tightness, and to
ease menstrual cramps.

A 2002 report announced that peppermint also helped participants in a study run faster
do more pushups and show greater grip strength than those who were not exposed to
peppermint scent. Although researchers concluded the effect may have been
psychological, a result of peppermintís effect on mood and increased motivation, it still
resulted in measurable performance improvement.

Preparations

Peppermint is available as a tincture, tea, essential oil, oil capsules, and tablets. The
fresh and dried leaves may be purchased in bulk.

Tablets and capsules are often coated so the oil's therapeutic properties are released in
the intestine and not in the stomach. These enteric-coated pills are used in the
treatment of irritable bowel syndrome, diverticulitis, and other chronic digestive ailments.
Peppermint oil capsules are effective in treating lower intestinal disorders:

 Irritable bowel syndrome: 1–2 capsules three times daily between meals.
 Gallstones: 1–2 capsules three times daily between meals.

Peppermint tea

Peppermint tea may be used to relieve migraine headaches, minor colds, digestive
ailments, and morning sickness, as well as many other conditions. Taken after a meal,
the tea acts to settle the stomach and improve digestion. To prepare the tea, pour one
cup of boiling water over 1–2 tsp of dried peppermint leaves, cover, and steep for 10
minutes. Strain the mixture before drinking.

DOSAGE. For relief of migraine pressure, drink 1–2 cups of cool tea daily.

For digestive disorders, drink one cup of tea with meals.

 For cough relief, drink 3–4 cups of cool tea throughout the day, taking frequent sips
(every 15–30 minutes).

For morning sickness, women may drink a tea that has been diluted.

Aromatherapy and peppermint

The essential oil of peppermint is a pale yellow or greenish liquid that is made by
distilling the flowering herb. When inhaled, the oil can reduce fever, relieve nausea and
vomiting, improve digestion, and soothe the respiratory system. Various studies have
been performed on the oil's ability to improve the sense of taste and smell and improve
concentration and mental acuity when inhaled.

The oil blends well with other essential oils such as benzoin, rosemary, lavender,

marjoram, lemon, eucalyptus, and other mints. Essential oils are available at many
health food stores or through a qualified aromatherapist.

Peppermint essential oil can be used in several ways: inhaled, rubbed

on reflexology points on the bottom of the feet, diffused into the air, or as a therapeutic
bath. Below are some applications for the use of peppermint essential oil:

 Steam inhalation for congestion relief: A few drops of the essential oil of
peppermint are placed in a large bowl of hot water. The person should cover his or her
head with a towel, lean over the bowl, and inhale the steam.
 Motion sickness: A few drops of essential oil should be places on a tissue and
inhaled.
 Headaches: A few drops can be placed on a cool, wet towel and used as a
compress on the forehead. Or, massaged into the neck, back, temples, and/or
forehead.
 Digestion: Several drops of diluted oil massaged on the stomach or the pure oil
rubbed onto the bottoms of the feet.
 Breath freshener: Several drops placed on the tongue.
 Therapeutic bath: Several drops of diluted oil placed into a tepid bath to relieve
stomach complaints, nasal congestion, headache, or menstrual cramps. If essential oil
is not available, a bath can be made by adding to the water a cloth bag filled with
several handfuls of dried or fresh peppermint leaves.

As with any essential oil, caution should be taken when using it. Essential oils are highly
concentrated and should be diluted with a vegetable oil prior to external use to prevent
adverse reactions, as some people are allergic to peppermint or its essential oil. The oil
may cause a skin reaction if the dosage is excessive. Avoid contact with the eyes.

Precautions

Extreme caution should be used when administering to children under five years of age
as the menthol can cause a choking reaction in young children.
Peppermint oil should not be applied to the faces of infants or small children.

The essential oil of peppermint should not be ingested unless under professional
supervision.

Pure menthol or pure peppermint should not be ingested. Pure peppermint may cause
an irregular heartbeat. Pure menthol is poisonous and fatal in doses as small as 1 tsp.

Pregnant women with a history of miscarriage should use peppermint with caution.
Large amounts of peppermint may trigger a miscarriage. Additional caution should be
practiced by women who are breast-feeding their infants.

Side Effects

If the essential oil is not used properly it can cause dermatitis and other allergic
reactions.

Rare reactions to enteric-coated capsules may occur. These reactions include skin
rash, heartburn, slow heart rate, and muscle tremors.

Large internal doses of peppermint essential oil may result in kidney damage.

Interactions

Peppermint should not be used in conjunction with homeopathic treatment.

Resources
BOOKS

Foster, Steven, and Varro E. Tyler, Ph.D. Tyler's Honest Herbal. The Haworth Herbal Press,
1999.

PERIODICALS

Moxey, Beth."A Peppermint Twist: New Research Shows that a Whiff of Peppermint May
Improve Your Running (Health and Fitness)." Runnerís World (January 2002): 21.

"Peppermint Oil and Tea Best for Nose and Stomach, Not Lungs." Environmental
Nutrition (January 1997):7.

Siegel–Maier, Karyn. "Peppermint: More Than Just Another Pretty Flavor." Better

Nutrition (February 1998): 24.