Peppermint(Mentha piperita)
Mentha piperita is a hybrid mint. It is a cross between Mentha aquatica, water mint, and Mentha spicata, spearmint.
The cooling properties of the peppermint herb make it an amazing way to beat the summer heat. In fact, the cooling properties are so potent that not too long after drinking a peppermint preparation your body feels much cooler. The funny thing is, that preparation can be hot tea, and it will still cool your body.
Throughout the year my wife and I drink a lot of iced tea. We always have a jug of it in our refrigerator. A couple of years ago I began adding peppermint to this tea. It adds a lovely complimentary flavor to the otherwise boring tea. I hate the heat of summer. Winter is by far my favorite season. I love the cold hard beauty of a Michigan winter. This past winter I went through a couple of days where I could not get warm. I thought I might have picked up a bug. Imagine how foolish I felt when my wife asked me "have you been drinking iced tea?" I answered, “you know I have.” She just looked at me with that “bless your little heart” look, her face saying, "come on; put it together; you will get it." I felt like a true dolt. I smiled sheepishly and said I had become so fixated on beating what I thought was an invading microbe that I forgot to look for other simple causes.
In my defense, I do learn from my mistakes. I now add peppermint tea to my daily summertime regimen. The taste is wonderful, and there is a noticeable difference in the way my body perceives the muggy heat of a Michigan summer.
Other Names:
None known
Range:
Family:
Lamiaceae - Mint Family
Growth Type:
Herbaceous perennial
Height:
Can grow up to 3 feet tall
Leaves:
The slightly pubescent (hairy) leaves can grow to 3½ inches long and 1½ inches wide. They are typically dark green with reddish veins an acute apex and coarsely toothed margins.
Stem/Trunk:
Like most mints, the stems are square in cross section. They are slightly pubescent (hairy).
Root:
Rhizome with spreading fibrous roots.
Flower Season:
M. piperita flowers from mid to late summer
Flower Appearance:
The tiny purple flowers are just over 1/8 inch long and 1/8 inch in diameter. They grow in tight whorls around the stem.
Miscellaneous characteristics:
All parts of the plant have a distinctly minty smell.
Habitat:
Mints love moist places in temperate climates. Therefore you will find them along streams, rivers, and lakes,
Parts Used:
Aerial Parts
Culinary Uses:
Mints make wonderfully aromatic and healthy teas. Mints can be used as a seasoning in cooking, they lend themselves particularly well to lamb, goat, and pork. When used sparingly they are also wonderful on fish.
Peppermint Recipes
Brewed Iced Tea
Part Used: Leaves
Plant State: Dried
In a large pot, bring ½ gallon of water to a boil. Turn off the heat and add ¼ cup of dried peppermint leaves and 4 family sized tea bags. Cover the pot and allow to steep for 20 minutes. Strain the tea through cheese cloth, a paper towel, or a coffee filter. Fill a ½ gallon container with ice, and then fill again with water. Add the ice and water to the strained hot tea.
Dosage: Drink 6 oz As Needed.
Sun Tea
Part Used: Leaves
Plant State: Dried
Place four family sized tea bags, 8 tbsp dried peppermint leaves, and a gallon of water in a large glass jar. Place in a sunny location for 8 hours. After the allotted time, strain to remove sediment, and enjoy over ice. Refrigerate for up to 1 week.
Dosage: Drink 6 oz As Needed.
The following text is meant for informational purposes only. It is not meant to diagnose or treat any illness or injury. Always consult with a physician or other qualified medical care provider concerning the diagnosis and treatment of any illness or injury.
Energetics
Taste: Pungent
Thermal: Cooling
Humidity: Drying
Medicinal Indications:
Works to slow peristalsis which in turn treats dyspepsia, flatulence, intestinal colic, and IBS. As an emmenagogue, vermifuge, lactation enhancer and sedative.
Medicinal Conditions Treated:
Amenorrhea, Bronchitis, Constipation, Diabetes, Diarrhea, Bacillary Dysentery, Dysmenorrhea, Dyspepsia, Fevers, Flatulence, Gastritis, Intestinal Colic, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Hypertension, Jaundice, Nausea, Pain, Respiratory tract infections (RTI).
Cautions According To WebMD
Contra-Indications
Avoid mint oil when pregnant.
Possible Side Effects:
Because members of the Mentha genus can be used interchageably, I have included the side effects, warmings, and drug interactions of Mentha spicata.
When taken by mouth: Spearmint and spearmint oil are commonly consumed in foods. Spearmint is possibly safe when used as a medicine, short-term. It's usually well tolerated.¹
Possible Interactions:
Moderate Interaction
Be cautious with this combination
Medications that can harm the liver (Hepatotoxic drugs) interacts with SPEARMINT
Spearmint might harm the liver. Some medications can also harm the liver. Taking spearmint along with a medication that can harm the liver might increase the risk of liver damage.
Sedative medications (CNS depressants) interacts with SPEARMINT
Spearmint might cause sleepiness and slowed breathing. Some medications, called sedatives, can also cause sleepiness and slowed breathing. Taking spearmint with sedative medications might cause breathing problems and/or too much sleepiness.¹
Medicinal Actions:
Analgesic,
Antidiarrheal,
Antihypertensive,
Antimicrobial,
Antispasmodic,
Carminative,
Choleretic,
Emmenagogue,
Febrifuge,
Spasmolytic,
Vermifuge
Herbal Preparations For Plant
Standard Infusion
Part Used: Aerial Parts
Plant State: Fresh
Place 2 ounces of fresh chopped, or 1 ounce of dried chopped, Aerial Parts into a quart mason jar and fill the jar with almost boiling water. Cover the jar, place it in a sunny location, and let it sit for 8 to 10 hours. If refrigerated, the infusion will last a couple of days.
Dosage: 2-4 oz As Needed
Tincture
Part Used: Aerial Parts
Plant State: Fresh
Alcohol Percentage: 60%
Plant to Alcohol Ratio: 1:2
Label a quart mason jar with the plant name, the part of the plant used, the percentage of alcohol used, and the date the tincture was started.
Fill the jar to the neck with chopped fresh leaves, then pour in 600 ml of 150 proof Everclear and 150 ml water. Next pour the contents of the jar into a blender and blend until all of the plant material is thoroughly chopped into fine pieces and incorporated into the menstrum. This will increase the surface area and provide better leaching of the plant constituents. As a matter of fact, this method works so well that, if necessary, the tincture can be used in as little as 7 days. Now pour the contents of the blender back into the jar, being careful to scrape every last bit of goodness from the blender. Place a lid on the mason jar, shake it well, and place the jar in a dark cupboard. Once a day for the first 7 days, take the jar out of the cupboard and shake it well. Place the jar back into the cupboard, and leave it soak for another 3 weeks. After the tincture has soaked for 30 days, remove it from the cupboard and strain out the spent plant material. Your tincture will remain viable for 2-3 years.
Dosage: 45-90 drops as needed
Tincture
Part Used: Aerial Parts
Plant State: Dried
Alcohol Percentage: 50%
Plant to Alcohol Ratio: 1:5
Label a quart mason jar with the plant name, the part of the plant used, the percentage of alcohol used, and the date the tincture was started.
Place 150 grams of dried plant material into a quart mason jar. Now pour in 750 ml of 100 proof vodka, or 500 ml of 150 proof evercler and 250 ml of water. Next pour the contents of the jar into a blender and blend until all of the plant material is thoroughly chopped into fine pieces and incorporated into the menstrum. This will increase the surface area and provide better leaching of the plant constituents. As a matter of fact, this method works so well that, if necessary, the tincture can be used in as little as 7 days. Now pour the contents of the blender back into the jar, being careful to scrape every last bit of goodness from the blender. Place a lid on the mason jar, shake it well, and place the jar in a dark cupboard. Once a day for the first 7 days, take the jar out of the cupboard and shake it well. Place the jar back into the cupboard, and leave it soak for another 3 weeks. After the tincture has soaked for 30 days, remove it from the cupboard and strain out the spent plant material. Your tincture will remain viable for 2-3 years.
Dosage: 45-90 drops as needed
Referenes:
1. WebMD: Spearmint - Uses, Side Effects, And More. Https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-845/spearmint