History of Peppermint for Medicinal Use

First described in 1696, peppermint is a hybrid cross between watermint and spearmint. It is believed that the medicinal use of peppermint dates back to the herbal pharmacopoeia of ancient Greece, where it was taken internally to aid in digestion and inhaled to ease upper respiratory symptoms and cough. There is evidence that peppermint was cultivated by the Egyptians.  It is mentioned in the Icelandic Pharmacopoeias of the thirteenth century but only came into general use in Western European medicine in about the middle of the eighteenth century.  The primary chemical constituents of Peppermint include essential oils, tannins, flavonoids, choline and potassium.  Peppermint leaves contain about 0.5-4% volatile oil that is composed of 50-78% free menthol and 5-20% menthol combined with other constituents.

Peppermint oil, which is extracted from the stem, leaves, and flowers of the plant, has become popular as a treatment for a variety of conditions.

With a high menthol content, peppermint is also commonly used to help soothe and relax tired, achy muscles by applying it to the skin, as well as to treat cold symptoms. Peppermint and menthol are useful decongestants that help loosen and break up coughs with phlegm. Known for its ability to stimulate the skin’s cold receptors to create a cooling effect, menthol gives the sensation of temperature change (e.g. cools nasal passages).

Peppermint is also believed to help against upset stomachs and aid in digestion because of its ability to relax the muscles of the digestive tract. There have been studies conducted to gauge peppermint’s effectiveness in reducing some of the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). While the results of these clinical trials are mixed, there is evidence that demonstrates that enteric-coated peppermint – peppermint coated with a material that permits transit through the stomach to the small intestine before the medication is released – may be effective in treating common IBS symptoms, like abdominal pain, gas and bloating.

Peppermint is also believed to inhibit the growth of certain bacteria. The herb has been used to treat skin irritations, menstrual cramps, nausea and headaches due to the numbing and calming effect it has on a variety of ailments.