Peppermint and health benefits

Peppermint (Mentha piperita L.), is a medicinal plant that has received more attention from both food and pharmaceutical industries because of its health benefits for human society.

Peppermint is a sterile hybrid of spearmint (Mentha spicata) and water mint (Mentha aquatica), which was first recorded as budding in a field of spearmint growing in England in 1696. Since then, it has been intensively extended for its fragrant oil. It is also used to treat gastric and digestive disorders, as well as tension and insomnia.

Herbalists consider peppermint an astringent, antiseptic, antipruritic, antispasmodic, antiemetic, carminative, diaphoretic, mild bitter, analgesic, anticatarrhal, antimicrobial, rubefacient, stimulant, and emmenagogue.

This plant is widely used in folk remedies and traditional medicine for treatment of digestive disorders and nervous system actions because of its antitumor and antimicrobial properties, chemopreventive potential, its renal actions, antiallergenic effects, and also for lessening cramping, digestive complaints, anorexia, nausea and diarrhea.

Peppermint commonly used as medicinal herb because was benefit in building the immune system and fighting secondary infections. Peppermint essential oil has antibacterial activities because it was contained menthol.

Mint oil and its constituents and derivatives are used in food, pharmaceutical and perfumery and flavoring industry. Its main constituent, menthol, is used in the manufacture of lozenges, toothpastes, pain balms, and cold balms.
Peppermint and health benefits

 

Mentha herbs or mint

The mint family has more than 600 members and has been esteemed all over the world for thousands of year of its versatility. Today, the two most popular varieties of the mints, peppermint, Mentha piperita and spearmint, Mentha spicata, are grown commercially.

Mint, traditionally regarded as a symbol of hospitality, is said to have been named after Minthe, a nymph in Greek mythology. Pluto the god of the underworld fell in love with her, and his wife Proserpine became so jealous that she transformed her into this scented herb.

Peppermint

Most mints contain respectable amounts of vitamins A and C, plus they are rich in antioxidants. The menthol in mint aids digestion and can even calm intestinal cramps.

The culinary mints such as American apple mint, orange mint, peppermint and spearmint add their delicate flavors to an infinite variety of beverages and foods such as fruit drinks, juleps and other iced beverages,; teas, vinegars and jellies; soups, sauces and vegetables; meats, fish, salads and desserts.

Mint goes well with a range of proteins, including beef, pork, lamb, game, duck and poultry. It can be chopped and incorporated into a stew or used in a side dish, pesto, sauce, or jam to complement the meat.
Mentha herbs or mint

Peppermint

Peppermint is known technically by its Latin binomial Mentha x piperita. Peppermint is a hybrid of watermint and spearmint that was first cultivated near London in 1750.

Most mints contain respectable amount of vitamin A and C, plus they are rich in antioxidants. Like other aromatic plants, their primarily application has been carminative and digestant.

It is a general stimulant. A strong cup of peppermint tea circulates and acts more powerful than any liquor. 

Peppermint can be infused to make a tea which relieves cold and influenza symptoms and digestive trouble. 

Peppermint also can fights the bacteria that cause tooth decay. Using two teaspoon of crushed peppermint leaves per cup of boiling water. Steep for 10 minutes, sweeten with licorice and drink the tea or use it as a mouthwash.

Peppermint is the premier mint for flavoring candy, gum and other sweets. It can be used sparingly in soups, stuffing and marinades.
Peppermint

Peppermint herb

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