Peppermint
Mentha piperita
Dispersing
Diaphoretic
Hot Mint
Key Medicinal Properties of Peppermint
Peppermint is one of my favorite herbs to include in my daily herbal tea. It has carminative properties, meaning that it assists with digestion and the assimilation of nutrients from your food, while also having anti-inflammatory and relaxing properties. There are no reported side effects or drug interactions with this herb, so it’s a safe and pleasant addition to most people.
Of all the mints, Peppermint is a bit more warming energetically, and can be enjoyed by anyone who does not have a severely cold constitution. Externally, peppermint-infused topicals can help ease itching and irritations as well as soothe tension headaches (essential oil). (Hoffman, D.)
Gastrointestinal Tract
Calming for gastrointestinal issues like acid reflux, GERD, gout and other hot disturbances of the GI. Additionally, peppermint is a great source of minerals for pregnancy.
Skin
Great for eruptive skin diseases, and cooling for excessive heat such as during summer or for the initial stages of cold + flu.
Biomedical Actions of Peppermint
Carminative, Anti-Inflammatory, Anti-spasmodic, Aromatic, Diaphoretic, Antiemetic, Nervine, Antimicrobial, Analgesic
Herbal Constituents in Peppermint
Phenolic acids - caffeic, chlorogenic and rosmarinic acid
Essential Oil (up to 1.5%) - menthol, menthone, and methyl acetate
Flavonoids - glycosides of apigenin, diosmetin, and luteolin
Tannins
Peppermint Medicinal Dose
Peppermint is a very mild herb medicinally, and is one that can be taken in larger doses without fear of side effects.
According to Commission E, the dose for Peppermint is between 3-6 grams of dried whole herb per day or 5-15 grams tincture. (Hoffman, D.")
Peppermint Tincture
Tinctures are a form favored by many herbalists for their longer shelf-life. Tincture dosage for peppermint is 1-2 ml, 3x per day (1:5 strength tincture made with 40% alcohol). (Hoffman, D.)
Peppermint Essential Oil
Daily internal dosage suggested is 6-12 drops or 3-4 drops in hot water as an inhalation. (Hoffman, D.)
Contraindications for Peppermint
There are no known contraindications for peppermint, however those with allergies to the mint family should avoid this herb. No side effects or drug interactions with peppermint have been reported. (Hoffman, D.) Caution using this herb with extreme cold constitution.
How to Make a Medicinal Peppermint Infusion
Pour 1 cup of boiling water over your desired amount of dried peppermint herb.
Infuse in a covered, heat-safe container for 10+ minutes.
Covering your steeping infusion prevents volatile compounds like your essential oils from evaporating with the steam, preserving the carminative benefits of the essential oils.
Minty Herbal Summer Cooler Recipe
Ingredients:
2 tablespoons dried peppermint leaves
2 tablespoons dried spearmint leaves
1 tablespoon dried lemon balm leaves
1 tablespoon dried basil leaves
1 teaspoon dried thyme leaves
1 lemon, sliced
1 lime, sliced
2-3 tablespoons honey or coconut sugar (adjust to taste)
6 cups filtered water
Fresh mint sprigs or lemon slices for garnish (optional)
Instructions:
Prepare the Herbal Blend:
In a large heatproof bowl or teapot, combine the dried peppermint, spearmint, lemon balm, basil, and thyme.
Steep the Herbs:
Bring 2 cups of filtered water to a boil.
Pour the boiling water over the dried herbs.
Let the herbs steep for about 15-20 minutes, covered, to extract the flavors.
Sweeten the Infusion:
Strain the herbal infusion into a large pitcher, discarding the dried herbs.
Add honey or coconut sugar to the warm infusion, stirring until dissolved.
Add Citrus and Chill:
Add the sliced lemon and lime to the pitcher.
Pour the remaining 4 cups of cold filtered water into the pitcher.
Cover and refrigerate the beverage for at least 1 hour or until well chilled. For a stronger flavor, let it steep in the fridge for up to 4 hours.
Serve:
Pour the chilled beverage into glasses.
Garnish with a fresh mint sprig or a slice of lemon, if desired.
Hoffmann, D. (2003). Medical herbalism: The science and practice of herbal medicine. Healing Arts Press.