Introduction

Peppermint (Mentha piperata Linn. emend. Huds.) is a popular herb belonging to the Labiatae; Lamiaceae family. Peppermint oil is known for its digestive, carminative, choleretic, antispasmodic, diuretic, antiemetic, mild sedative, diaphoretic, antiseptic, and antiviral properties. It is commonly used in various remedies for indigestion, colic, and cough and cold. The oil is also effective in providing relief from spastic complaints of the gastrointestinal tract, gallbladder, and bile ducts.

Peppermint- A Powerful Coolant

Names and Habitat of Peppermint

It is native to Europe but is also cultivated in Maharashtra, Kashmir, and Punjab. Known as Brandy Mint in English and Vilaayati Pudinaa in Ayurvedic medicine, peppermint offers a wide range of medicinal benefits.

Traditional Uses of Peppermint

Peppermint leaf, when taken internally, is beneficial for dyspepsia, flatulence, intestinal colic, and biliary disorders. According to the German Commission E and ESCOP, it is particularly useful for spastic complaints of the gastrointestinal tract, gallbladder, and bile ducts.

The British Herbal Compendium recommends peppermint leaf for dyspepsia, flatulence, intestinal colic, and biliary disorders.

Potential Health Benefits of Peppermint

Peppermint oil is widely used as a carminative, as mentioned in The British Herbal Pharmacopoeia.

It is effective in relieving spastic discomfort of the upper gastrointestinal tract and bile ducts, irritable colon, respiratory tract, and inflammation of the oral mucosa.

Additionally, peppermint oil is applied externally for myalgia, neuralgia, coughs, colds, rheumatic complaints, pruritis, urticaria, and pain in irritable skin conditions.

ESCOP also recommends the use of peppermint oil for irritable bowel syndrome, coughs, and colds.

Chemical Compounds of Peppermint

The essential oil of peppermint contains several beneficial compounds, including menthol, menthone, pulegone, menthofuran, 1,8-cineole, menthyl acetate, and isomenthone.

It also contains flavonoid glycosides such as eriocitrin, luteolin 7-O-rutinoside, hesperidin, isorhoifolin, diosmin, eriodictyol 7-O-glucoside, and narirutin. Other compounds present in peppermint leaves include rosmarinic acid, azulenes, cholene, carotenes.

Antiviral Activity of Peppermint

Aside from its digestive benefits, peppermint also exhibits antiviral activity. Aqueous and ethanolic extracts of peppermint have shown antiviral activity against RPV (rinder pest virus), a highly contagious viral disease of cattle.

Research has shown that peppermint oil can relax carvachol-contracted guinea-pig tenia coli and inhibit spontaneous activity in guinea-pig colon and rabbit jejunum.

It achieves this by reducing calcium influx and relaxing gastrointestinal smooth muscle. Peppermint oil has also been found to reduce gastric emptying time in dyspeptics.

Conclusion

In conclusion, peppermint (Mentha piperata Linn. emend. Huds.) is a versatile herb that offers numerous medicinal benefits. Its oil and leaves are commonly used for their digestive, carminative, antispasmodic, and antiviral properties.

Peppermint is a valuable herb to incorporate into various remedies for gastrointestinal disorders, respiratory issues, and other ailments. With its wide range of therapeutic benefits, peppermint continues to be a popular choice in both traditional and modern medicine.

Frequently Asked Questions(FAQs)

What is peppermint?
Peppermint (Mentha piperata Linn. emend. Huds.) is a popular herb belonging to the Labiatae; Lamiaceae family. It is native to Europe but is also cultivated in Maharashtra, Kashmir, and Punjab.

What are the medicinal benefits of peppermint?
Peppermint offers a wide range of medicinal benefits, including digestive, carminative, chloretic, antispasmodic, diuretic, antiemetic, mild sedative, diaphoretic, antiseptic, and antiviral properties.

How is peppermint oil used?
Peppermint oil is commonly used in various remedies for indigestion, colic, and cough and cold. It is also effective in providing relief from spastic complaints of the gastrointestinal tract, gallbladder, and bile ducts.

What are the benefits of using peppermint leaf internally?
Peppermint leaf, when taken internally, is beneficial for dyspepsia, flatulence, intestinal colic, and biliary disorders. It is particularly useful for spastic complaints of the gastrointestinal tract, gallbladder, and bile ducts.

Is peppermint oil carminative?
Yes, peppermint oil is widely used as a carminative. It is effective in relieving spastic discomfort of the upper gastrointestinal tract and bile ducts, irritable colon, respiratory tract, and inflammation of the oral mucosa.

Can peppermint oil be applied externally?
Yes, peppermint oil can be applied externally for myalgia, neuralgia, coughs, colds, rheumatic complaints, pruritus, urticaria, and pain in irritable skin conditions.

What conditions can peppermint oil be used for?
Peppermint oil can be used for irritable bowel syndrome, coughs, and colds, as recommended by ESCOP.

What are the beneficial compounds found in peppermint oil?
The essential oil of peppermint contains several beneficial compounds, including menthol, menthone, pulegone, menthofuran, 1,8-cineole, menthyl acetate, and isomenthone.

What are the flavonoid glycosides found in peppermint?
Flavonoid glycosides found in peppermint include eriocitrin, luteolin 7-O-rutinoside, hesperidin, isorhoifolin, diosmin, eriodictyol 7-O-glucoside, and narirutin.

What other compounds are present in peppermint leaves?
Other compounds present in peppermint leaves include rosmarinic acid, azulenes, cholene, and carotenes.

How does peppermint oil relax gastrointestinal smooth muscle?
Peppermint oil can relax carvachol-contracted guinea-pig tenia coli and inhibit spontaneous activity in guinea-pig colon and rabbit jejunum by reducing calcium influx and relaxing gastrointestinal smooth muscle.

Does peppermint oil have any effect on gastric emptying time?
Yes, peppermint oil has been found to reduce gastric emptying time in dyspeptics.

Does peppermint exhibit antiviral activity?
Yes, both aqueous and ethanolic extracts of peppermint have shown antiviral activity against RPV (rinder pest virus), a highly contagious viral disease of cattle.

What are the traditional uses of peppermint?
Peppermint is commonly used in traditional medicine for digestive issues, respiratory problems, and other ailments.

Is peppermint still popular in modern medicine?
Yes, peppermint continues to be a popular choice in both traditional and modern medicine due to its wide range of therapeutic benefits.

What is the English name for peppermint?
Peppermint is known as Brandy Mint in English.

What is the Ayurvedic name for peppermint?
In Ayurvedic medicine, peppermint is known as Vilaayati Pudinaa.

What gastrointestinal disorders can peppermint help with?
Peppermint is beneficial for dyspepsia, flatulence, intestinal colic, and biliary disorders.

Can peppermint help with respiratory issues?
Yes, peppermint oil and leaves are effective in providing relief from coughs and colds.