Peppermint

What Is Peppermint?

Peppermint is by far one of the most loved and popular herbs in the world.

The fresh minty scent of the primary constituent of peppermint — menthol — is used as a flavoring in candies, cigarettes, candles, and cosmetics.

The essential oil of mint contains its main active constituents, menthol and menthone. These chemicals are antibacterial in nature and deliver a cooling sensation when applied to the skin or consumed internally. This makes it useful for burns, skin rashes, or other irritations of the skin or gastric mucosa.

The herb’s high volatile content makes it useful as a carminative for bloating and indigestion.

What Is Peppermint Used For?

Peppermint’s medicinal uses mainly involve conditions of the gastrointestinal tract including indigestion, nausea, and vomiting, gastritis, gastrointestinal spasms, or inflammatory bowel disease.

Topically peppermint is used to provide a cooling sensation to burns, inflammation, or skin irritations. It has a mild analgesic effect and muscle-relaxant activity, making it useful for muscle damage as well.

Traditional Uses

Mentha piperita (peppermint), along with other mints have a long history of use throughout Europe.

In the Mediterranean, mints were used traditionally to treat gas, bloating, and as a local analgesic for tooth and abdominal pains, inflammatory conditions, headaches, as well as for its antiseptic qualities ^{7Reference 7Taher · 2012AnimalAntinociceptive activity of Mentha piperita leaf aqueous extract in mice.Libyan Journal of Medicine, 7(0). doi:10.3402/ljm.v7i0.16205View study →}.

Botanical Information

Peppermint is a member of the Lamiaceae family (mint family). This family contains between 6900 and 7200 species spread out through 236 different genera.

Other medicinal or culinary species in this family include basil, lavender, lemon balm, leonotis, hyssop, catnip, prunella, chaste-tree, tinnea, skullcap, sage, and rosemary.

Habitat, Ecology & Distribution

Peppermint can be found growing across Europe and North America, mainly in moist areas such as near streams and bogs ^{11Reference 11A Modern Herbal · 1931A Modern Herbal. (1931). Mints. Retrieved from http://www.botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/m/mints-39.htmlView study →}.

In North America, this perennial plant can become a bit of a nuisance if allowed to seed each autumn and has a tendency of spreading throughout the garden very rapidly.

Harvesting, Collection & Preparation

Mint is an easy to cultivate herb and can be grown in small containers indoors or outdoors. It has been a popular culinary herb worldwide and was cultivated by ancient societies such as the ancient Egyptians and ancient Romans ^{11Reference 11A Modern Herbal · 1931A Modern Herbal. (1931). Mints. Retrieved from http://www.botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/m/mints-39.htmlView study →}.

Currently, the most important large-scale producers are in the United States, particularly Michigan ^{11Reference 11A Modern Herbal · 1931A Modern Herbal. (1931). Mints. Retrieved from http://www.botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/m/mints-39.htmlView study →}.

The herb should be picked and harvested right before flowering to maintain the highest quality and volume of volatile oils ^{11Reference 11A Modern Herbal · 1931A Modern Herbal. (1931). Mints. Retrieved from http://www.botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/m/mints-39.htmlView study →}.

Pharmacology & Medical Research

Antimicrobial Effects

In the past, studies have shown that Mentha piperita essential oil and ethanol extracts possess antiviral ^{2Reference 2E et al. · 1967E. C. Herrmann Jr. and L. S. Kucera, (1967). “Antiviral substances in plants of the mint family (labiatae). 3. Peppermint (Mentha piperita) and other mint plants,” Proceedings of the Society for Experimental Biology and Medicine, vol. 124, no. 3, pp. 874–878}, antibacterial ^{3,4Reference 3S et al. · 2010Mineral content, essential oil components and biological activity of two mentha species (M. piperita L., M. spicata L.), Turkish Journal of Field Crops, volReference 4M et al. · 2007Chemical Composition and AntiBacterial Activity of Essential Oils of Ten Aromatic Plants Against Human Pathogenic Bacteria, Food Global Science Books}, antifungal ^{3Reference 3S et al. · 2010Mineral content, essential oil components and biological activity of two mentha species (M. piperita L., M. spicata L.), Turkish Journal of Field Crops, vol}, and anti-biofilm formation ^{5,6Reference 5V et al. · 2008Prevention of Candida albicans biofilm by plant oils, Mycopathologia, volReference 6M et al. · 2010In vitroThe in vitro antibiofilm activity of selected culinary herbs and medicinal plants against Listeria monocytogenes, Letters in Applied Microbiology, vol}.

These effects are important moving forward in medicine, as it becomes crucial that we find new and active antimicrobial agents to combat the ever-increasing threat of drug resistance. One approach is to turn to phytochemicals and other natural medicines for help.

Antimutagenic Effects

Mentha piperita has been shown to reduce tobacco-induced oral carcinogenesis in the hamster cheek pouch ^{8Reference 8Samman MA et al. · 1998Mint prevents shamma-induced carcinogenesis in hamster cheek pouch}.

Antinociceptive Effects

A study investigating the effects of an aqueous extract of Mentha piperita on mice found that it was able to provide nociceptive protection against injection of acetic acid.

Due to some of the other data gathered by this study — which found no decrease in edema in the paws of mice — it’s suggested that the antinociceptive actions of this plant have no relation to anti-inflammatory effects. Therefore it’s likely there’s a different mechanism of action for this effect ^{7Reference 7Taher · 2012AnimalAntinociceptive activity of Mentha piperita leaf aqueous extract in mice.Libyan Journal of Medicine, 7(0). doi:10.3402/ljm.v7i0.16205View study →}.

Some other similar studies found that an ethanolic extract was able to produce a measurable reduction in systemic inflammation ^{10Reference 10Atta AH · 1998Anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects of some Jordanian medicinal plant extracts}.

Menthol as a Preservative

Though this action does not have direct implications on health, it can have indirect benefit, by allowing the essential oil of Mentha piperita to act as a preservative in herbal cosmetics, salves, lotions, and ointments, rather than harsh chemicals or alcohol. Due to Mentha piperita’s antimicrobial ^{2,3,4,5,6Reference 2E et al. · 1967E. C. Herrmann Jr. and L. S. Kucera, (1967). “Antiviral substances in plants of the mint family (labiatae). 3. Peppermint (Mentha piperita) and other mint plants,” Proceedings of the Society for Experimental Biology and Medicine, vol. 124, no. 3, pp. 874–878Reference 3S et al. · 2010Mineral content, essential oil components and biological activity of two mentha species (M. piperita L., M. spicata L.), Turkish Journal of Field Crops, volReference 4M et al. · 2007Chemical Composition and AntiBacterial Activity of Essential Oils of Ten Aromatic Plants Against Human Pathogenic Bacteria, Food Global Science BooksReference 5V et al. · 2008Prevention of Candida albicans biofilm by plant oils, Mycopathologia, volReference 6M et al. · 2010In vitroThe in vitro antibiofilm activity of selected culinary herbs and medicinal plants against Listeria monocytogenes, Letters in Applied Microbiology, vol} and antioxidant actions ^{3Reference 3S et al. · 2010Mineral content, essential oil components and biological activity of two mentha species (M. piperita L., M. spicata L.), Turkish Journal of Field Crops, vol}, it should be considered as a preservative agent in these sorts of products.

Phytochemistry

Peppermint is, above all, an essential-oil herb — the dried leaf yields roughly 1–3% volatile oil, and that oil carries most of the plant’s activity. Its character comes down to two monoterpenes: menthol, the cooling alcohol that makes up a third to a half of the oil, and its parent ketone menthone ^{11,12Reference 11A Modern Herbal · 1931A Modern Herbal. (1931). Mints. Retrieved from http://www.botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/m/mints-39.htmlView study →Reference 12Bone · 2003A clinical guide to blending liquid herbs: Herbal formulations for the individual patient}. Menthol drives the familiar cold sensation (it activates the TRPM8 cold receptor), the antispasmodic and carminative effect on gut smooth muscle, and much of the oil’s antimicrobial action ^{12Reference 12Bone · 2003A clinical guide to blending liquid herbs: Herbal formulations for the individual patient}.

Supporting these are a cluster of related monoterpenes — menthyl acetate, menthofuran, isomenthone, 1,8-cineole, limonene and the pinenes — over a lighter sesquiterpene fraction (caryophyllene, germacrene D). The water-soluble side of the leaf adds phenolics: rosmarinic acid and related phenolic acids, the antiallergic flavonoid glycosides studied by Inoue et al. ^{9Reference 9Inoue T et al. · 2002Antiallergic effect of flavonoid glycosides obtained from Mentha piperita L}, and astringent tannins — the last responsible for peppermint’s mild reduction of iron absorption ^{12Reference 12Bone · 2003A clinical guide to blending liquid herbs: Herbal formulations for the individual patient}.

Constituent Summary

Quantified figures are the European Pharmacopoeia composition limits for steam-distilled leaf oil (share of essential oil); blank cells are constituents reported without a standard figure ^{12,13Reference 12Bone · 2003A clinical guide to blending liquid herbs: Herbal formulations for the individual patientReference 13European Directorate for the Quality of et al.European Pharmacopoeia — Peppermint oil (Menthae piperitae aetheroleum): gas-chromatographic composition limits}.

Clinical Applications

Most of peppermint’s uses revolve around its essential oil. Whether as a flavoring agent, refrigerant, anti-inflammatory, or muscle relaxant, peppermint is rarely used alone.

Liquid extracts are often used in formulations to provide a cooling sensation in the stomach and are used to relieve flatulence and bloating alongside bitter herbs.

The essential oil is a popular addition to topical creams and salves for its cooling sensation and characteristic scent.

Cautions & Safety

Contraindicated with gastroesophageal reflux disease as menthol can aggravate it — it relaxes the lower esophageal sphincter, allowing stomach acid to reflux. This is true even for menthol cigarettes.

Peppermint can reduce iron absorption due to tannins present, take away from meals and supplements containing iron ^{12Reference 12Bone · 2003A clinical guide to blending liquid herbs: Herbal formulations for the individual patient}.

Caution with patients with salicylate or aspirin sensitivity ^{12Reference 12Bone · 2003A clinical guide to blending liquid herbs: Herbal formulations for the individual patient}.

Be wary of some of the adulterants that are associated with both peppermint essential oils (such as camphor oil, cedar wood oil, turpentine, ethanol, and African copaiba oil), and with the crystallized menthol (such as Epsom salts) ^{11Reference 11A Modern Herbal · 1931A Modern Herbal. (1931). Mints. Retrieved from http://www.botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/m/mints-39.htmlView study →}.

Contraindications

• Gastric reflux
• Peptic ulcers
• Take at least 2 hours apart from iron supplements
• Caution advised if allergies to Aspirin

Synergy

For non-ulcer dyspepsia combine with caraway and wormwood.

Chronic digestive problems combine with fennel, caraway, and gentian.

YEP tea combines yarrow, elder, and peppermint.

Suggested to be useful for cold/flus when mixed with Elder (Sambucus nigra) ^{11Reference 11A Modern Herbal · 1931A Modern Herbal. (1931). Mints. Retrieved from http://www.botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/m/mints-39.htmlView study →}.

References

1. Saharkhiz, M. J., Motamedi, M., Zomorodian, K., Pakshir, K., Miri, R., & Hemyari, K. (2012). Chemical Composition, Antifungal and Antibiofilm Activities of the Essential Oil of Mentha piperita L. ISRN Pharmaceutics, 2012, 1-6. doi:10.5402/2012/718645
2. E. C. Herrmann Jr. and L. S. Kucera, (1967). “Antiviral substances in plants of the mint family (labiatae). 3. Peppermint (Mentha piperita) and other mint plants,” Proceedings of the Society for Experimental Biology and Medicine, vol. 124, no. 3, pp. 874–878
3. S. Kizil, N. Hasimi, V. Tolan, E. Kilinc, and U. Yuksel, (2010). Mineral content, essential oil components and biological activity of two mentha species (M. piperita L., M. spicata L.), Turkish Journal of Field Crops, vol. 15, no. 2, pp. 148–153
4. M. Saokovic, P. D. Mari, D. Brikic, and J. L. D. Leo, (2007). Chemical Composition and AntiBacterial Activity of Essential Oils of Ten Aromatic Plants Against Human Pathogenic Bacteria, Food Global Science Books
5. V. Agarwal, P. Lal, and V. Pruthi, (2008). Prevention of Candida albicans biofilm by plant oils, Mycopathologia, vol. 165, no. 1, pp. 13–19
6. M. Sandasi, C. M. Leonard, and A. M. Viljoen, (2010). The in vitro antibiofilm activity of selected culinary herbs and medicinal plants against Listeria monocytogenes, Letters in Applied Microbiology, vol. 50, no. 1, pp. 30–35
7. Taher, Y. A. (2012). Antinociceptive activity of Mentha piperita leaf aqueous extract in mice.Libyan Journal of Medicine, 7(0). doi:10.3402/ljm.v7i0.16205
8. Samman MA, Bowen ID, Taiba K, Antonius J, Hannan MA. (1998). Mint prevents shamma-induced carcinogenesis in hamster cheek pouch. Carcinogenesis. 19: 1795801.
9. Inoue T, Sugimoto Y, Masuda H, Kamei C. (2002). Antiallergic effect of flavonoid glycosides obtained from Mentha piperita L. Biol Pharm Bull. 25: 2569.
10. Atta AH, Alkofahi A. (1998). Anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects of some Jordanian medicinal plant extracts. J Ethnopharmacol. 60: 11724.
11. A Modern Herbal. (1931). Mints. Retrieved from http://www.botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/m/mints-39.html
12. Bone, K. (2003). A clinical guide to blending liquid herbs: Herbal formulations for the individual patient. Edinburgh [u.a.: Churchill Livingstone. (Pg. 369-373).
13. European Directorate for the Quality of Medicines & HealthCare (EDQM). European Pharmacopoeia — Peppermint oil (Menthae piperitae aetheroleum): gas-chromatographic composition limits. Strasbourg: Council of Europe.