Peppermint is a hybrid of M. aquatica and M. spicata. It is cultivated in a number of European countries, North Africa and the United States of America.
Peppermint is known technically by its Latin binomial Mentha x piperita where Mentha is the genus for various mint, x refers to a hybrid and piperita refers to that particular species, peppermint.
Peppermint is a favorite for many tea drinkers. The leaves have a strong peppermint flavor. It is one of humanity’s oldest and most loved herbs.
Peppermint’s origin are unknown, but the dried leaves have been found in the pyramids in Egypt, dating from as early as 1000 BC.
Its genus name, Mentha, is derived from Greek mythical nymph Mintha, who metamorphosed in this plant.
It didn’t become popular in Europe until about the eighteenth century. Peppermint is a hybrid of watermint and spearmint that was first cultivated near London in 1750.
Its importance lies in the production of peppermint oil by distillation. The oil is used to flavor sweets, chewing gum, cordials, liqueurs, toothpastes and various pharmaceuticals products.
Traditional herbals uses of peppermint oil include the treatment of dyspepsia, bile duct disorders, bronchial spasm, cholelithiasis, intestinal colic, common cold, cough, cramps, dysmenorrheal, flatulence, inflammation or oral mucosa, influenza and urinary tract infection.
Ancient Arabs believed that peppermint works for better sex.
Peppermint herb
