Peppermint
Mentha × piperita
Synonyms: Mentha × odora, Mentha × hudsoniana, Mentha × concinna, Mentha × piperita var. hudsoniana, Mentha × piperoides, Mentha × piperita var. pimentum, Mentha × piperita var. globosiceps, Mentha × piperita var. langii, Mentha × piperita var. pennsylvanica, Mentha × pimentum, Mentha × piperita var. durandoana, Mentha × exaltata, Mentha × piperita f. puberula, Mentha × suavis var. schultzii, Mentha aquatica var. piperita, Mentha × piperita var. calvifolia, Mentha × nigricans, Mentha × napolitana, Mentha × heuffelii, Mentha × kahirina, Mentha × piperita var. crispula, Mentha hortensis var. citrata, Mentha × piperita var. calophylla, Mentha × piperita var. beckeri, Mentha × hircina, Mentha × piperita var. hercynica, Mentha × piperita var. officinalis, Mentha × piperita var. sylvestris, Mentha × piperita var. braousiana, Mentha × piperita var. piperoides, Mentha × hortensis, Mentha × braousiana, Mentha × hirtescens, Mentha × officinalis, Mentha × piperita var. hircina, Mentha × crispula, Mentha glomerata var. piperita, Mentha × piperita var. hispidula, Mentha × piperita var. balsamea, Mentha × banatica, Mentha × fraseri, Mentha aquatica f. piperita, Mentha × tenuis, Mentha × balsamea, Mentha aquatica var. langii, Mentha canescens var. schultzii, Mentha × piperita var. ouweneelii, Mentha × maximilianea var. schultzii, Mentha × hercynica, Mentha × piperita var. poicila, Mentha × piperita f. rotundella, Mentha × piperita var. vulgaris, Mentha × piperita var. heuffelii, Mentha × piperita var. subhirsuta, Mentha × durandoana, Mentha × glabrata, Mentha × schultzii
Western Herbalism Properties
Gallery
Botanical Description
Mentha × piperita, peppermint, is a hardy perennial herb in the family Lamiaceae, a sterile hybrid between Mentha aquatica (watermint) and Mentha spicata (spearmint), first cultivated in late 17th-century England and now grown worldwide. The plant grows 30 to 90 centimetres tall from creeping rhizomes and stolons, often forming dense colonies. Stems are square in cross-section, often tinged purple, and bear opposite, shortly petiolate leaves that are ovate-lanceolate, 4 to 9 centimetres long, with serrated margins and a smooth to slightly hairy surface. The leaves and stems are strongly aromatic when bruised, releasing a characteristic cooling menthol scent. Small purple to mauve flowers are borne in dense terminal spikes 3 to 8 centimetres long, each flower with a tubular calyx and a four-lobed corolla; because the plant is a sterile hybrid, the flowers rarely set viable seed. The essential oil, dominated by menthol, menthone, and 1,8-cineole, is concentrated in glandular trichomes on the leaves and inflorescence.
Cultural & Historical Context
Traditional American Uses
None Documented
Chemistry & External Identifiers
Important Disclaimer
This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using any herbal remedy, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medications.