Peppermint (Mentha x piperita)

OriginChance from an English garden

Peppermint is not a wild plant, but a hybrid: Around 1700 it was found in England as an accidental cross between two mints - and it is sterile, meaning it can only be propagated via runners.

Peppermint originated as a natural hybrid of Water mint (Mentha aquatica) and Green mint (Mentha spicataPeppermint (Cortinarius pox) was discovered around 1700 in England, presumably in Hertfordshire. Because it is a sterile hybrid and does not produce viable seeds, every peppermint plant in the world is propagated vegetatively – via runners, cuttings, and root division. The town of Mitcham, near London, became the center of its cultivation, and "Mitcham mint" is still considered a mark of quality.

Its rise to become the most important medicinal mint depends on one substance: menthol. Unlike spearmint, which produces carvone, peppermint produces large amounts of menthol – and menthol does something remarkable: it activates a receptor in the skin and mucous membranes that actually reacts to cold. feels Coldness where there is none. This applies to the mouth as well as the forehead, and it is the reason for practically all uses of this plant.

Mints are undemanding to grow, yet vigorous: they spread rapidly via underground runners and crowd out neighboring plants – therefore, they belong in pots or behind a root barrier in the garden. And because mints readily cross-pollinate, different varieties should not be planted directly next to each other if you want to preserve their individual characteristics. A general overview of the genus and its many species can be found on the page about... mint.

To useWhat peppermint does for you

Peppermint is one of the few medicinal plants for which one can speak of good evidence without reservation – however, only for the oil, not for tea. The European Medicines Agency states Enteric-coated peppermint oil in the category well-established use at the Irritable bowel syndrome. Several meta-analyses of randomized trials show that it significantly relieves abdominal pain and overall discomfort better than placebo; some guidelines list it as one of the most effective available options. The mechanism is understood: Menthol blocks calcium channels in the smooth muscle of the intestine, thereby having an antispasmodic effect.

The enteric coating This isn't a detail, it's the core issue. Free peppermint oil would be released in the stomach, relaxing the esophageal sphincter and triggering heartburn – without reaching the intestines. The capsule dissolves only in the small intestine, and that's where the oil is meant to go. Those who drink peppermint tea for irritable bowel syndrome experience a mild, pleasant effect; those who want the effects studied need the capsule.

The second well-documented application is externallyA ten percent solution of peppermint oil in alcohol, applied liberally to the forehead and temples, provides relief. Tension headache. In a widely cited German study, the effect was comparable to that of one gram of paracetamol. This, too, can be explained via the cold receptor: the perceived coolness overrides the pain perception and relaxes the tense muscles. The EMA also lists this application as a well-established use.

The Sheet Peppermint tea has a traditional use for dyspeptic complaints, bloating, and mild cramps in the gastrointestinal tract. This is a sound and useful remedy, but less potent than the oil; only a small portion of the essential oil is extracted during infusion. In everyday terms, this means: peppermint tea is a good remedy for stomach problems, the oil is a medicinal product – and both have their place.

IngredientsThat's what's in the leaf

The essential oil It makes up one to three percent of the dried leaf. Its main component is menthol with 35 to 55 percent, in addition Menthon, Menthyl acetate, menthofuran, and cineole. The European Pharmacopoeia sets limits for menthofuran and pulegone because both can be hepatotoxic in higher quantities—their concentration is low in high-quality products. Menthol itself is the substance that activates the TRPM8 receptor, precisely the cold receptor that otherwise responds to low temperatures.

Besides the oil, the leaf contains Rosmarinic acid and other phenolic acids, flavonoids, and tannins. The tannins explain why long-steeped peppermint tea becomes bitter and astringent, and they are the reason for the advice regarding iron absorption: Like black tea, peppermint tea binds plant-based iron and should not be drunk directly with meals in cases of iron deficiency.

The following applies to the preparation of the tea: covered and not for too long. Five to seven minutes is enough; after that, the tannins are released and the freshness is lost. The lid is more important than with almost any other tea because the menthol is very volatile – peppermint tea brewed uncovered loses a significant portion of what you're drinking it for. And a practical tip: Fresh leaves release less menthol than dried ones because the oil content increases relative to weight during gentle drying.

Enhanced combinationsWhat makes peppermint stronger

Three applications, three forms - and the form determines the effect more than anything else.

What contradicts itselfIt's best to avoid these combinations.

To which courtWhere she belongs

• Peppermint teaTwo teaspoons per 250 ml, covered for five to seven minutes.
• Belly teaWith chamomile and fennel for bloating and cramps.
• Irritable bowel syndrome capsulesEnteric-coated peppermint oil from the pharmacy - the form examined.
• headache oilApply a ten percent solution liberally to the forehead and temples.
• After eatingA cup after a heavy meal - the classic digestive remedy.
• inhalationFor a blocked nose - but not for small children and not for asthma.
• Chocolate mintIn desserts, ice cream and hot chocolate.
• Mint sauceFor lamb - the milder green mint also works here.
• soft drinkLeaves in cold water with lemon - no bitterness.
• As a genusAn overview of green mint, Moroccan mint, and other varieties can be found on the mint page.

As a home remedyThe oil for headaches

Ayurveda & TCMWhat the old systems say

Warning noticesWhen you should be careful

This page provides information and does not replace medical advice. If symptoms persist, please consult a doctor.

Related to the topicRead on and cook along!

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