Plant Profile: Peppermint

Peppermint

(Mentha x piperita)

Family: LAMIACEAE

Energetics: Warming then cooling. Drying. 

Taste: Pungent

Tissue States: Constriction. Depression.

Systems Affected: Digestive system specifically stomach. Nervous system. 

Parts Used: Leaf & Flower

Key Components: Calcium (540mg per dried oz). Magnesium (220mg per dried oz). Potassium (753mg per dried oz). Volatile oils (Jasmone, Menthol, Menthone). Flavonoids. Phenolic acid. Triterpenes. Tannins. Bitter principle. 

Preparations & dosage: Infusion: 1 tsp steeped in 8 oz water. Be sure to cover the cup while steeping so you don't lose the volatile oils. Essential oil: Herb infused oil: Tincture: Food: Add to salads, soups, pesto, blender drinks. 

Actions: 
Foundational: Aromatic. Stimulating.
Primary: Nervine. Carminative. Diaphoretic. Anti-emetic.
Secondary: Antispasmodic. Antiseptic. Disinfectant. Anodyne.

Uses: 

Peppermint is actually a cross between spearmint (Mentha spicata) and water mint (Mentha aquatica). 

Add to other formulas for its stimulating effect, to cool down energetically warmer herbs or to improve the flavor of less pleasant herbs. 

Excellent as an addition either powdered herb or a few drops of essential oil in tooth powders. 

Studies have shown that it promotes hair growth (see section on studies below). 

Renews, refreshes & energizes without depleting or using energy reserves. Indigestion, nausea, fever & chills, flu, reduce wind in the intestines, mouth sores, sore throat, stimulates bile & digestive juice secretion. Relaxes the visceral muscles & has an antiflatulant property. Has a place in treatment of ulcerative colitis & Crohn’s.  Migraines associated with digestive upset. Nervine tonic for anxiety & tension. Dysmenorrhea. Externally for itching & inflammation. Where food tends to settle & ferment in the stomach.

For the digestive system: IBS, ulcerative colitis & Crohn's. Peppermint oil is taken in enteric coated capsules so that it doesn't release the oil until it gets where it is needed in the intestines. An upset stomach due to nervousness. Excellent for relieving nausea. Despite being a stimulating herb, peppermint reduces stomach cramping and spasms. Gas & bloating especially after a meal. Also helpful in diarrhea. Applying an essential oil blend with peppermint to the lower abdomen and massaged in can be incredibly helpful. 

For the nervous system: Peppermint can be help to keep you more awake and alert. keep a bottle of the essential oil on you in the car and simply inhale it whenever you start feeling drowsy. This obviously has its limits and there's no shame in taking a break when needed as well! Peppermint is an uplifting stimulating plant that can help lift mood and increase alertness and awareness. 

As an Anodyne (Pain reliever): Most commonly known for its ability to relieve headaches, a tea is especially good for those caused by digestive problems though I have known people to effectively use peppermint essential oil in a blend or alone topically to get relief from migraines and tension headaches. Studies also support this. Some speculate that it is most effective when the migraine is also due to digestive issues. I'm of the mind that it is most effective when the problem is caused by tension or digestive issues and is equally effective for both. Peppermint is also effective for many types of nerve pain. Neuropathy due to many issues, fibromyalgia, diabetes, etc. Excellent to use to relieve toothaches as well as this is typically also a type of nerve pain. menstrual cramps. Sore muscles. Burns (1-2 drops essential oil in 1 tsp honey directly to the burn). Insect stings. 

For fevers: Incredibly effective at helping to lower a fever slowly and naturally. Peppermint opens the pores and allows heat to escape, thus lowering the fever without suppressing the action of the fever as it is an important action of the immune systems ability to fight off pathogens. Works great in a tea blended with elder flower and yarrow. 

Combines well with: Chamomile for indigestion. Helichrysum, feverfew & California poppy for migraines/headaches.

Identifying: 

Growing: Like most mints, peppermint tends to take over. To avoid this (unless you want it to) plant it in a container. Peppermint doesn't usually produce seeds, rather it grows from offshoots from the ground. You can also grow from root cuttings though you can also buy seeds. 

Harvesting: Collect the aerial parts of the plant just above a joint before the flowers bloom. 

Contraindications: Taking a lot of peppermint could dry up milk supply in nursing mothers. Can cause heartburn in some individuals, stop taking if this is you. 

Sources: 
https://herbmentor.learningherbs.com/herb/peppermint/
Rosemary Gladstar's Medicinal Herbs: Rosemary Gladstar. Pg 184-187

The Complete Herbs Sourcebook: David Hoffman. Pg 298-299

Studies:

Instant effects of peppermint essential oil on the physiological parameters and exercise performance: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4103722/

Peppermint Oil Promotes Hair Growth without Toxic Signs: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4289931/

A Novel Delivery System of Peppermint Oil Is an Effective Therapy for Irritable Bowel Syndrome Symptoms: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4729798/

Effectiveness of Oleum menthae piperitae and paracetamol in therapy of headache of the tension type:https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8805113

A novel treatment of postherpetic neuralgia using peppermint oil: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12048423