Peppermint convinces with healing powers

Voted medicinal plant of the year 2004

The study group "Development History of Medicinal Herbs" at the Institute for the History of Medicine at the University of Würzburg chose peppermint as medicinal plant of the year 2004, after having chosen the artichoke last year.

Peppermint (Menthea piperita), a member of the mint family, produces an essential oil that is used to treat abdominal pain, discomfort and indigestion because of its ingredients menthol, methyl acetate and menthone. The leaves, processed as extracts in dragees and tablets, have an antispasmodic, flatulent and cholagogue effect. Peppermint is also said to have antibacterial, antiviral and calming effects.

Often used as a culinary herb

In addition to its use as a medicinal plant, peppermint, also known as mint, spearmint and English mint, is excellent in the kitchen: as a tea, in salads or with potatoes, it provides a fine, fresh aroma. Also, their flavoring is commonly found in chewing gum.

Peppermint was discovered in England in the 17th century, from where it spread across the entire European continent. It probably comes from a spontaneous crossing of water mint (Mentha aquatica) and spearmint (Mentha spicata). Today, peppermint thrives in large-scale cultivation all over Europe. The plant requires little maintenance provided it grows in nutrient-rich soil in a shady spot. When the mint oil content has risen sharply just before flowering, the peppermint leaves are harvested.

Source: Bonn [ zmo ]