The peppermint is a very popular herb and many commercial products are prepared using this herb, and due to the tremendous popularity it has enjoyed as a flavoring agent and it is so widely used to make many kinds of edible and consumable products used for human consumption, it may be easy to believe that the peppermint is one of the oldest known herbs.
However, the traditional use of the herb is fairly recent in contrast to its extreme popularity these days. In fact, the modern herb which has come to be called by the name peppermint is actually a naturally formed hybrid or cross of two herbs that sprouted in a field of spearmint, sometime in 1696 in England.
The commercial use and cultivation of the peppermint, Mentha x piperita L. of the family Lamiaceae, has begun ever since and the herb has been intensively cultivated for its volatile oil - which is very pleasing to smell.
The propagation of the peppermint is through vegetative means as the plant itself does not breed true from seeds. Numerous cultivated varieties of the peppermint herb are in existence at the present time - all of them are extensively cultivated for one commercial application or another.
The main use of the peppermint herb lies primarily to take advantage of its stimulating, stomachic and carminative properties in the body, thus the herb has been used in the treatment of indigestion, to alleviate the symptoms of flatulence - excess gas, and to treat disorders such as colic.
Herbal teas of the peppermint are usually taken for the treatment of many disorders; the moderately warm herbal peppermint tea is prepared from the leaves of the herb. For fairly rapid relief from any symptom, patients usually slowly sip several cups of the tea at a time.
The uses of peppermint as a combination herb is much more extensive in Europe, and the peppermint herb is often incorporated into many other tea mixtures, especially the ones which are for the purpose of alleviating various disorders arising in the stomach, to treat problems of the intestines, and to treat liver conditions.
The common use of the peppermint is as a simple flavoring agent in most of these tea mixtures, although at the same time, its contribution to certain beneficial actions of these mixtures cannot be ruled out with certainty.
Another major use of the peppermint herb is in the form of an aid to the process of digestion; the volatile oil content of the herb is the primary agent responsible for this beneficial activity, this oil is found in the herb - most abundant in the leaves and the flowering tops of the herb - where the oil accumulates in concentrations which range from 1 to 3 percent.
Different varieties contain different amounts of this volatile oil, and the American peppermint oil contains about 50 to 78 percent of free menthol and also another 5 to 20 percent of various combined forms - usually esters - of the menthol.
The ability of the peppermint to stimulate the flow of bile is largely because of these major chemical components present in the herb and at the same time, these same compounds help in promoting the process of digestion along with other components in the herb, such as the flavonoid pigments which display similar properties.
The volatile oil in the peppermint also additionally acts as spasmolytic agent, and this results in reduction of the tonus in the lower esophageal-cardial-sphincter and this result in the facilitation of eructation process - commonly known as belching.
One direct area of possible application for this antispasmodic property of the herb may be seen in the popularity of peppermint herbal tea as a household remedy for painful menstrual cramps in women.
Another property of the peppermint oil is its ability to temporarily inhibit the hunger pangs arising in the stomach, this effect is not lasting and the resumption of the peristaltic movements in the stomach will revive the hunger pangs, which then go on becoming stronger than before in a gradual manner as hunger builds up.
The peppermint can thus be used as an appetite stimulant for this reason.
Thus in general the peppermint herb, which is really a fairly recent hybrid of the spearmint with the wild mint, is used both as herbal medicine and as a very popular flavoring in many commercial products.
The plant is "young" and there was no plant called a peppermint until late in the seventeenth century as it was discovered only during that time.
However, since the first discovery of its remarkable properties at the time, the peppermint has been extensively cultivated in many different parts of the world. Full use is made of both the leaf and the volatile oil - which is obtained by the process of industrial steam distillation.
The leaves of the peppermint herb may have between 1 and 3 percent of this essential oil and the leaves are where most of the oil in the plant is to be found.
The chemical composition of the oil results in a definite compositional breakdown, about half of the oil is menthol - it can range from 35 to 55 percent in the European peppermint oil; and 50 to 78 percent in American peppermint oil, some related compounds form the remainder of the volatile oil.
At the same time, the compound menthone composes about 10 to 35 percent of the total volume of oil.
At least more than one hundred other chemical constituents are also present in small amounts in the oil; these include a variety of the compounds known as monoterpenes and the class of chemicals called sesquiterpenes.
At the same time, the exact proportions of these different compounds differ depending on one variety of peppermint to another, this difference can also be noticed among similar varieties of plants albeit, those that have been grown in different locations.
Peppermint leaves are also known for their content of the plant pigment compounds called the flavonoids, including the compound called luteolin, the common plant pigment rutin, and citrus pigments like the hesperidins, and many other compounds.
Aerial parts.
One of the main beneficial effects of the peppermint herb is its effective and excellent action on the overall functioning of the digestive system, the herbal remedy greatly increases the flow of all the digestive juices in the stomach and also promotes the flow of bile at the same time - the herb also relaxes the main muscles in the gut.
The other beneficial effects of the herb lies in its soothing effects upon the lining and muscles of the colon, it also helps in alleviating cases of diarrhea and helps relieves a spastic colon - a condition often causing constipation in many people.
The form of enteric - coated peppermint oil is also used as a short-term herbal treatment for alleviating the worst effects of irritable bowel syndrome - while it has been used in this role, not all of the double-blind studies conducted to measure this ability, have resulted in any statistically significant benefits for the condition.
The diluted oil of the peppermint has also been used in the treatment of stomach disorders by gastroenterologists in England, the remedy is sprayed diluted and directly on to the instrument used during colonoscopy so as to prevent the onset of spasms. Peppermint oil used in this innovative way, has not gained wide appeal and adoption in other countries.
The production of bile in the liver is also increased by the peppermint oil as well as the leaf based flavonoids to a very significant degree. The traditional use of the herb as an aid in digestion is supported to a great extent by this modern evidential confirmation.
The peppermint based menthol also results in a lowering of the activity in a liver enzyme known as HMG CoA reductase and this compound may also theoretically lower the elevated levels of cholesterol in the body of patients.
No significant clinical tests have supported the possible therapeutic use and the ability of the herbal remedy in this case is largely hypothetical.
Test tube trials have also indicated that the oil of the peppermint oil possesses some antibacterial and antiviral properties; however, the herbal oil is not used to treat infections in any significant manner.
The herbal peppermint tea is sometimes utilized as an herbal remedy to alleviate the discomfort caused by disorders such as gastroenteritis.
Topical herbal remedies are also made from the peppermint oil and these are applied directly to the skin as a treatment for various disorders, used in this role the peppermint herbal remedy helps to relieve the pain and reduces sensitivity in the skin arising as a result of external disorders.
At the same time, diluted peppermint oil is used in the form of an herbal inhalant remedy and it is also used as a chest rub for the treatment of respiratory infections of different types. In the treatment of digestive infections, the whole herb is important and effective when utilized in long term treatment.
The essence of the peppermint is both a cooling and warming agent. Peppermint will induce the production of heat when it is taken as internal medication and these results in an improvement in the circulation within the body.
At the same time, the peppermint by dispersing blood to the surface of the body, also induces sweating in the skin. As far as the treatment of chills and fevers, and symptoms of colds and flu, this ability of the peppermint can be put to very good and effective use.
The peppermint possesses strong astringent and decongestant actions, which can help in relieving stuffiness and catarrh in many patients who tend to suffer from such types of illnesses.
Peppermint oil derived menthol is also sometimes added to hot water to form an inhalant, so that the vapors can be inhaled for the treatment of colds and congestion in the respiratory system of patients.
Additional use of the menthol or peppermint oil can also include making cough lozenges for the treatment of common colds and infections.
Many topical rubs have menthol as a common ingredient; these are used to relieve sore muscles or affected joints and may also be used for the topical treatment so as to soothe itchy skin in different patients.
A good general tonic can also be prepared from the peppermint herb; this can effectively recharge the body's vital energy and dispel the lethargy affecting a person.
Peppermint is beneficial to the alleviation of irritation in the respiratory tract because it has a refreshing taste of mint immediately followed by a cooling and numbing effect when ingested, this same remedial action can also be apparent on the skin when the herbal remedy is rubbed into the skin.
The analgesic effect of the peppermint is another of its prized remedial effects and the herb makes for an excellent local herbal application when used in the form of fresh leaf based remedy or in the form of herbal lotions.
These are often applied to relieve the pain of inflamed joints in cases of disorders such as arthritis and gout, for the treatment of persistent headaches and to ease migraines that are linked to weaknesses in the digestive system, this herbal remedy is also used in the treatment of neuralgia, to treat sciatica and to ease general aches and pains affecting the body.
Another excellent beneficial affect of the peppermint is felt internally, where it has a relaxing effect when ingested, it can calm persistent anxiety and tension and at the same time, act in relieving pain and spasms in the body.
Menstrual pains can also be treated using remedies made from the peppermint herb, the herb is also used to treat asthma and insomnia in people.
The remedies made from the peppermint are excellent in relieving problems in the digestive tract and the remedy relaxes smooth muscles and reduces inflammation internally, the remedy is also useful in relieving the pain and spasms during stomach aches, it is used in the treatment of colic conditions, in the treatment of persistent flatulence, in the treatment of heartburn, to treat cases of indigestion, to treat hiccoughs, and in the treatment of nausea and vomiting, and travel sickness in people.
Peppermint has many tannins and these compounds can help protect the lining of the gut from physical irritation and infection and these same compound are also useful in the treatment of griping during diarrhea, in the treatment of spastic constipation, to treat Crohn's disease and cases of ulcerative colitis.
Peppermint derived herbal bitters help in stimulating and cleansing the liver and the gallbladder, and also helps in the prevention of gallstones formation.
At the same time peppermint derived volatile oils posses an antiseptic action, and this particular ability has now been confirmed as being bactericidal and anti-parasitic, it is also anti-fungal and anti-viral at the same time, and these oils are used in the treatment of various skin problems such as cold sores and common ringworm in many different individuals.
There are many ways to use the peppermint in a variety of culinary recipes. One is to float some fresh peppermint leaves in chilled summer drinks or add the herb as an ingredient in different fruit punches.
The peppermint is as necessary for the preparation of a mint julep as is the base - bourbon, and moreover it is the natural and essential addition to any gin based drink. The peppermint herb can also be used to enliven salads and hot or cold soups - add some fresh peppermint to these dishes.
The peppermint can also be used as a flavoring herb, to bring out the flavor of cooked peas, and cooked new potatoes, and even baby carrots, this can be done by adding sprigs of fresh peppermint to the cooking water when these dishes are being prepared.
The peppermint can also be used fresh or dried, to season all kinds of savory dips, to add flavor to butter, to different types of sauces, and to jellies, the peppermint itself can be used to make the classic mint sauce or mint jelly which is usually served with roast lamb.
The peppermint can be used as a seasoning herb to flavor fish, to season prepared poultry, and other white or red meats, at the same time the addition of the peppermint can put some zest to bean and lentil-based dishes.
The peppermint must always be added as crushed leaves before use to bring out the optimum flavor in the dishes, unless of course, you are making use of the herb as a garnish for various salads and greens. Vinegar can also be spiced up by adding sprigs of fresh peppermint to it before storage for further use.
A peppermint tea can be brew, this tea is very soothing and having a cup of peppermint is the perfect relaxing drink, the herbal tea can be prepared by slowly infusing 5 ml or 1 teaspoon of the dried peppermint leaves or 15 ml or 3 teaspoons of crushed fresh peppermint leaves in 250 ml or 1 cup of boiling water.
Gradually steep the herb in the water for maximum taste. The peppermint and other mints are extensively used in the commercial industry to flavor various kinds of confectionery products, including chewing gum, many different kinds of soft drinks, to flavor baked goods and ice cream, to flavor gelatins and syrups, and to flavor liqueurs.
The aromatic peppermint leaves can be added to herbal aromatic sachets and dried potpourris.
The peppermint herb is grown extensively as commercial ventures in many parts of the world including in large areas of Europe, in Asia, and in the North American continent. The peppermints will grow best in areas having moist soils, it prefers areas of loosely textured sandy soil that is rich in the content of humus.
For ideal growth of the peppermint the recommended pH range is from 6.0 to 7.5. The varieties of mints, including the peppermint and the spearmint, seem to thrive best and grow well full sunlight, but some of these plants also quite well even in partially shaded areas.
Considerable shade is tolerated by some of the mints at the same time, like the water mint, which can tolerate considerable shades for long periods of time. At the same time, plants like the Corsican mint require shade for optimum growth at any time.
Full sunlight exposure year round is necessary for mints to develop their best flavor and fragrance in the northern climes. The peppermint must always be kept well watered for optimum growth.
The mints in general can be grown from stocked seed; this is not always advisable as a cultivation strategy, as the majority of mints do not grow well from seed.
The best way to propagate the different cultivated mints is by using stem cuttings which are taken from well established plants just before these plants bloom, or the cutting can be taken by dividing existing plants into many parts, this must be done for optimal results during the early spring, or the cutting can be bought from nurseries.
The planted peppermint plants must be space at least 45 cm or 18 inches apart ideally. The mints spread and grow well once the roots are established, rapid growth is also possible because of underground runners or stolons present in the plant.
The herb garden in which the mints are grown must be prevented from being overtaken by the fast growing mints. Prevent the mints from expanding their area of growth by digging up unwanted runners every spring, or you can even curb the spread of the underground runners by sinking some drainage tiles or plastic dividers into the soil around near the areas in which the plants are growing, up to a minimum depth of about 30 cm or 12 inches.
The mints can also be planted in large containers or pots equipped with drainage holes, and these can then be sunk into the ground. A bushy growth in the plant can also be induced by pinching off the flowers from time to time.
The planted mints must be renewed once every three years by carefully dividing and replanting the roots, during the next spring or fall season. New spots are ideal for the growth of the peppermint, as this mint in particular, does not grow very well in the same location for more than a few years at a time.
Mints are also very susceptible to infestations from common plant aphids, from cutworms and spider mites, and especially from the mint flea beetles, as well as the verticillium wilt disease and from fungal rust-particularly if the soil is too rich in nutrients.
The immediate step to take incase of diseased plants is to dig them up and burned them at once. New mint plants can be re-planted in the next season in a different location.
The plants must be protected in areas where winters are usually harsh and cold, the plants can be covered with straw - not soil -so as to prevent damage to the runners from the cold and frost.
During the early weeks of the fall season or in the spring, establish indoor plants using commercial potting soils. The containers or the pots which are utilized must be large enough so as to give the creeping roots sufficient room for their optimal development.
Plants which are grown indoors require at least 5 hours of strong sunlight daily for optimal growth. The soil in which the plants are growing must be kept moist at all times but never soggy.
When the plants have grown well, it is important to apply a liquid houseplant fertilizer used at half strength for every 3 or 4 weeks of growth.
Flowering can be prevented and tastier leaves can be ensured, by carefully keeping the stems cut back to 13 cm or 5 inches.
Re-pot the plants when or if they start to turn yellow, this time the pot must be a larger container, or you can even divide the root mass into separate pots each propagate the herb in this way.
The peppermint oil has been shown during various researches to be a very volatile and strongly antibacterial agent.
At the same time, the compound menthol - which is a constituent of the oil, is also antiseptic and antifungal, it can induce cooling in the body, and it also functions as an anesthetic to the skin at the same time, though it is also an irritant in some cases.
Another, good effect is that the entire herb is known to have an antispasmodic effect on the digestive system and can be used as a remedy.
The value of the peppermint in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome has been established during the course of many clinical trials in Denmark and Britain during the 1990s.
Peppermint contains essential oil, up to 1.5 per cent, containing menthol, flavonoids, rosmarinic acid.
Dosages of the peppermint will depend on the type of herbal remedy. Prepare a herbal tea for internal use, this tea can be made by pouring 250 ml or 1 cup of boiling water over 1 heaped teaspoon of the dried peppermint leaves and let this steep in the water for five to ten minutes, doses of this can be taken as three to four cups every day between meals to help in relieving problems in the stomach and the gastrointestinal tract.
The herb can also be taken in the form of peppermint leaf tablets, as capsules, and as liquid extracts, these are often used at dosages of 3-6 grams daily during treatment.
The irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) can be treated by taking 1-2 capsules of the enteric-coated peppermint capsules containing 0.2 ml of the volatile peppermint oil, preferably at single doses two to three times every day.
The herbal remedy made from the peppermint can also be used for the treatment of headaches, and many people apply a topical herbal combination of the peppermint oil and the eucalyptus oil, which are diluted with some base oil - this combination herbal oil is applied directly to the temples at the very start of the symptoms of a headache and repeated once every hour following the initial application or continually used until the relief from symptoms becomes apparent.
The herbal tea made from the peppermint is generally considered as a safe remedy for regular consumption and does not produce very significant side effects.
However, side effects are known to be induce in people who take peppermint oil in very large amounts, taken in this way, the herb can cause burning and gastrointestinal problems in certain individuals.
For this reason, herbal peppermint remedies are best avoided by people with problems of chronic heartburn. Other side effects are also evident, and the use of enteric-coated peppermint capsules by certain people can induce burning sensations in the rectum as side effects.
The topical use of the peppermint oil has also caused rare allergic reactions from time to time and these have been reported in some people.
Infants and young children must be watched when given peppermint tea and caution is advised on the use of this tea with such groups of individuals, one possible problem is that these infants or children can choke while reacting to the strong menthol content of the herbal peppermint tea.
For this particular group of patients, the herbal tea of the chamomile is usually a better choice, not to mention much safer. It is best not to give any peppermint tea to babies and very young children as the menthol in the tea may cause asphyxiation.
The general antiseptic action of the menthol in the peppermint oil is a very beneficial and significant effect of peppermint.
Various digestive disorders are also treated by the leaves, which have a good combination of various chemical constituents all of which are useful in the treatment process, these helpful compounds also have a very strong antispasmodic effect in general and help in calming problems associated with the gut.
This is especially so when there is gastric disorder caused by an over indulgence in food. The remedies made from the peppermint also have a proven record in the treatment of disorders such as the irritable bowel syndrome, they are helpful in dealing with problems such as gastritis, and are exceptionally effective in dealing with problems such as excess abdominal gas and colic in the body.
Sweating is also encouraged by the peppermint remedy and the herb is said to have a diaphoretic element, for this reason, the herb is commonly used to treat colds and flu and to cool down the body during a fever.
According to the Chinese system of medicine, the peppermint is said to be able to disperse all kinds of fevers, any type of headaches, and problems such as coughs, and the Chinese herbalist also prescribe its use as an herbal remedy, during the early stages of colds and the common flu.
Herbalist in China in addition, utilize remedies made form the peppermint in the treatment of rashes, for example as a treatment for skin following measles, the peppermint is said to be able to encourage the progress of the rash and in this way, it is believed to speed the rate of recovery from the illness.
The painkilling effects of the peppermint are also known and it is used for external applications on the skin to relieve pain. Bactericidal properties are also displayed by the peppermint oil and the oil is often used as a topical anti-bacterial agent.
The leaves and stem tips of the peppermint can be harvested fresh for immediate use at any time, once the plants have reached full growth are about 15 cm or 6 inches tall. The best flavor can be assured if the flowers of the herb are picked off before the plants ever flower.
To induce better drying conditions, the stems can be to just above the lowest set of leaves in the herb. Ideally the harvesting of the peppermint must be carried out before the flowering season; this can be done by carefully cutting stems in the morning, and after the dew dries.
For purposes of drying, you can also hang up the leafy stems of the herb upside down in small bunches in a shady location. The leaves can be stripped and stored in airtight jars when the dry, try to strip the leaves and store in the airtight jars, in a dark location.
Remember not to crumble herbal peppermint before they are ready to use, as the flavor of the herb will diminish. Try to store them by freeze, the leaves in butter, in oil, or in ice cubes.
Combine the 2 ingredients in a bottle or glass jar. Store away from light for 1 month and shake every 2 to 3 days. Strain.
Use in the case of pain, headaches, intestinal or muscle cramps: by massaging or by applying a topical compress depending on the area requiring treatment.
Can be kept for 1 year away from light.
Exposing your skin to steam helps to moisturize it and, at the same time, cleanse the pores, which augmenting the blood circulation of the surface of the skin. Many herbs possess the aptitude to make steaming invigorating as well as comforting.
The ingredients required for a herbal steam facial are mentioned below, but you are free to substitute some of them with different fragrant or astringent herbs, for instance, dried up leaves of yarrow and sage, flowers of lavender as well as fresh or dehydrated parsley.
Instead of preparing your herbal steam facial in a sink, make it in a big bowl, primarily because the herbs may block the drainage of the sink.
The ingredients required for preparing an herbal steam facial are as follows:
To prepare this herbal facial, you should first mash the fennel seeds with a spoon and mix them with the other herbs in a big bowl that is heat-proof. Subsequently, pour the boiling water on this herbal mixture.
Place your head over the bowl and cover it using a towel to form a tent. For best results, you should keep your face approximately one foot away from the water and take the steam for anything between five minutes to ten minutes.
Eventually, gently use a towel to dry your face and apply any good moisturizing lotion in order to retain the moisture absorbed by your facial skin.
