OVERVIEW

Peppermint (Mentha piperita ) belongs to the Lamiaceae family and grows throughout North America, Asia, and Europe. The United States is responsible for producing 75% of the world's supply of peppermint.  It is an aromatic perennial plant that grows to a height of about 3 ft. It has light purple flowers and green leaves with serrated edges. The plant is harvested when the oil content is highest. When ready for harvest, it is always collected in the morning, before noon sun reduces the leaf essential oil content. This generally takes place shortly before the plant blooms, which occurs in the summer (July through August) or during dry, sunny weather.

The aroma of Peppermint Essential Oil is familiar and pleasant to most. It is very intense and is far more concentrated than most other steam distilled essential oils. At low dilutions, it is fresh, minty and quite uplifting.The essential oil contains the principal active ingredients of the plant: menthol, menthone, and menthyl acetate.Menthol and menthone in particular are antiseptic, anesthetic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-viral.

Menthyl acetate is responsible for peppermint's minty aroma and flavor. Menthol, peppermint's main active ingredient, is found in the leaves and flowering tops of the plant. It provides the cool sensation of the herb.

The menthol content of peppermint oil determines the quality of its essential oil. This varies depending upon climate, habitat, and where the peppermint is grown. For instance, American peppermint oil contains 50–78% menthol, while English peppermint oil has a menthol content of 60–70%. Japanese peppermint oil contains 85% menthol. Peppermint also contains vitamins A and C, magnesium, potassium, copper, iodine , silicon, iron, and sulfur.

Peppermint is one of the most popular flavoring agents. It can also be consumed in a variety of ways. You can make peppermint tea with the leaves, and you can also use peppermint essential oil, oil capsules, and tablets. The capsules and tablets are usually coated in a substance called enteric, which helps prevent the peppermint oil from causing heartburn. These capsules are usually what people use to treat IBS.

Many products contain peppermint, including chewing gum, mints and candies, ice cream and other sweets, tobacco, toothpaste, mouthwash, cough drops, teas, alcoholic liqueurs, and digestive aids . It is also used to scent soaps, perfumes, detergents, lipsticks and other cosmetics, and is an ingredient in many over-the-counter medications. Therapeutically, peppermint is used to treat many ailments of the skin, circulatory system, respiratory system, digestive system, immune system, and nervous system. Peppermint and its oils help with intestinal function.

APPEARANCE
Colourless to pale yellow liquid

ODOUR
Refreshing, sharp, strongly minty odour.