- Region
- Europe
- Origin
- Europe and western Asia
Europe · Herb · № 3
Mentha × piperita
Herb · Europe
Mint
Mentha × piperita
Peppermint oil has been studied in irritable bowel syndrome and may reduce abdominal pain. The tea is used for a full stomach and nausea. With heartburn peppermint can make complaints worse.
Safety notes
Peppermint oil can worsen reflux and may interact with medicines; it is not the same as mint tea.
Cautions by tradition (3)
- Herbal medicine worldwide: Not for babies and young children (use spearmint instead). Caution when breastfeeding.
- Natural skin and hair care: Do not use peppermint oil on or near the face of young children. Do not give honey to children under one year old.
- Western herbs in Chinese medicine: Do not use peppermint oil on or near the face of young children.
Preparation
Steep fresh leaves for an infusion or add them to drinks and meals.
Use in traditions
Peppermint is a cross between water mint and spearmint that was noticed in England in the 17th century. Mint was already used by Egyptians, Greeks and Romans; the name comes from the nymph Minthe. Menthol is extracted from the oil and feels cool because it stimulates cold receptors.
Applications
Use by tradition
How different herbal traditions describe this herb. Amounts are traditional guidelines checked for obvious errors; they are not medical advice. For poisonous plants no dosage is given on purpose.
Herbal medicine worldwide
Attributed effects
Antispasmodic, digestive tonic, anti-emetic, carminative, vasodilating, induces sweating yet cooling inside, promotes bile flow, pain-relieving; oil antibacterial.
Preparation and amount
Tea (water just off the boil, covered) for nausea, travel sickness, indigestion, wind, colic, colds and migraine; steam inhalation for a blocked nose; compress on inflamed joints; 20 drops of oil in 100 ml water as a wash for itching and minor burns; massage oil for menstrual pain.
Caution: Not for babies and young children (use spearmint instead). Caution when breastfeeding.
Herbs for viral infections
Attributed effects
Antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal (tannins, polyphenols), calming and numbing; especially for chickenpox and similar viral conditions; further for sinusitis, heartburn, nausea, pain, menstrual complaints, irritable bowel.
Preparation and amount
Tea (leaves 5 min in hot water), tablets or capsules; tablets 90 mg a day; peppermint oil only in enteric-coated capsules as directed on the leaflet, never take it neat.
Natural skin and hair care
Attributed effects
Menthol feels cooling and opens the nose; the European Medicines Agency recognises the traditional use of peppermint leaf for mild digestive complaints.
Preparation and amount
Internal: peppermint in tea and herbal honey for colds. External: in an exfoliant, bath oil, footbath and hair rinse (see the recipes).
Caution: Do not use peppermint oil on or near the face of young children. Do not give honey to children under one year old.
Western herbs in Chinese medicine
Attributed effects
Pungent and cool: expels wind-heat in a starting cold with sore throat and fever without sweating.
Preparation and amount
In Chinese medicine (bo he) peppermint goes into the pot only in the last five minutes of a decoction, so that the volatile oil does not evaporate. Well-dried leaf is green and smells strongly of peppermint, not brown or musty. Classic sweating tea: equal parts peppermint, elderflower and yarrow to about 20 parts boiling water, steep covered for 15–30 minutes and drink warm; with chills add 1–3 parts fresh ginger.
Caution: Do not use peppermint oil on or near the face of young children.
Folklore and herbal magic
Symbolic meanings from folk use and modern herbal magic. These are handed-down associations, not effects.
Purifies thoughts, helps against insomnia, enhances psychic gifts, attracts love, prosperity, joy, fertility, purification, love, success, health, clear thinking, protects travellers, attracts money, prosperity (as tea).
Herbal magic and rituals
Attributed effects
In herbal magic associated with hospitality, purification, money and good dreams.
Preparation and amount
In Greek myth Minthe was a nymph whom Persephone turned into a plant. In Morocco and the rest of the Maghreb sweet mint tea is the sign of hospitality, poured by the host from a great height. Peppermint itself is a hybrid first described in England in the late seventeenth century.
Home, kitchen and folk use
Attributed effects
The infusion relieves most headaches, stimulates appetite and aids digestion. For heartburn, stomach complaints and wind.
Preparation and amount
Infusion of the leaves; uplifting oil and prosperity oil; ground leaves in prosperity bath salt; edible flower; mint sugar; flower water (with orange). Digestive tea (peppermint, basil, dill seed: 1 tsp per cup of boiling water, steep 7–10 min).
- Ways to prepare herbs
- Tea (infusion)DecoctionHerbal oil (oil infusion)Compress, poultice and pasteSyrup, honey and oxymelSteam and bathPowder and kitchen
- Recipes
- Sweating tea with elder, yarrow and mintBissap, cold hibiscus drinkSekanjabin, mint vinegar syrupTereré, cold mate with yuyosOrange exfoliant for oily or combination skinTea for a starting coldHerbal honey for sore throat and coughTincture for the cold seasonBath for joints and musclesBath oil for colds and fluRefreshing foot bathQuick fresh hair rinse