Herbal Monograph - Peppermint

Latin Name:

Mentha x piperita L.

Common Names:

Peppermint, Brandy Mint (Grieve)

Botanical Family:

Lamiaceae

Description:

The stems grow 2-4ft high, and often have a purplish color. The leaves, growing to be about 2 inches long, have finely-toothed margins and a smooth surface, and are attached to the stem in short stalks. The clusters of violet flowers extend upward from the highest leaves (Grieve).

Constituents:

Phenolic acids, essential oil (up to 1.5%), flavonoids, and tannins (Hoffman).

Herbal Actions:

Carminative, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, aromatic, diaphoretic, antiemetic, nervine, antimicrobial, analgesic (Hoffman).

Body Systems Affinities:

Digestive, Circulatory, Nervous, Respiratory

Parts Used:

Aerial

Energetics:

Cooling and drying (Easley & Horne). Warming, Pungent, Aromatic.

Medicinal Uses:

Used in the treatment of ulcerative conditions of the bowels, fevers, colds, influenza, headaches associated with indigestion, anxiety, and tension. It can ease pain and tension when treating dysmenorrhea as well as symptomatic relief of asthma, chronic bronchitis, toothache, acute indigestion, and pruritus ani. Externally, peppermint is used to soothe itchy or inflamed skin (Hoffman).

Contraindications and Safety:

Can increase heartburn and symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux in some people.

Preparations and Dosage:

Standard Infusion: 4-8oz 1-4x daily

Tincture: Dried leaf - (1:5, 50% alcohol, 10% glycerin) 1-3ml 3x daily

Glycerite: Fresh leaf (1:8, 80% glycerin sealed simmer method); dried leaf (1:8); 10-20ml 3-4x daily (Easley & Horne).

Personal Experience:

I have used peppermint many times for treatment of headaches and migraines by dabbing a tiny bit of the essential oil near the temple (but not too close to the eyes!), hanging the fresh plant in the shower, and in simmer pots. It has been helpful when used in a digestive tea for nausea, and in a glycerite with fennel seed to aid in all sorts of gastrointestinal issues.

Growing/Harvesting:

From personal experience, I know that peppermint prefers moist, well draining soil, but it will grow and spread just about anywhere. Peppermint leaves should be harvested before the plant blooms.

Works Cited:

Hoffman, David. (2003) Medical Herbalism: The Science, Principles, and Practice of Herbal Medicine. Healing Arts Press.

Easley, T., & Horne, S. (2016) The Modern Herbal Dispensatory: A Medicine-Making Guide. North Atlantic Books.

Grieve, M. (Copyright 1995-2021) A Modern Herbal - Mints. Botanical.com. https://botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/m/mints-39.html#pep