Mentha piperita.  Peppermint, Black peppermint   Family: Labiatae  
Piperita is a hybrid between M. spicata an M. viridis. Peppermint is a popular flavouring for confrectionary, icecream, souces and liqueur, as well as for toothpastes, mouthwashes and medicines.

PART USED: Aerial parts, leaves
TASTE: Pungent and cooling ODOR: Strong and characteristic
ACTIONS
GROUP: Aromatics
1. Anti-emetic.[1,2,5]
2. Carminative.[1,2,4,5] Anaesthetic effect on the mucous membrane lining the stomach, so that it acts as an anti-emetic.[4] A gently disinfectant effect when there are abnomal decomposition processes in the stomach.[4]
3. Diaphoretic.[1,2,5]
4. Respiratory decongestant.[2]
5. Stimulant.
6. Spasmolytic.[1,4,5]
7. Choleretic and cholagogue.[4]
Locally- Antiseptic.[5] Antipruritic.[1]
INDICATIONS
1. Gastro-intestinal tract- Flatulent dyspepsia.[1,2] Nausea and vomiting including travel sickness.[2] Constipation or diarrhea. Intestinal colic.[1] Nausea and vomiting of gastric conditions where associated with chronic disease of the biliary ducts.[4] Chronic disease of the pancreas.[4] Abnormal fermentation processes in the intestine.[4] Indigestion and cholic.[5]
2. Nausea/vomiting of pregnancy.[1,2] Dysmenorrhea.[1,2] Menstrual headache.[2]
3. Fainting and dizziness.
4. Depression.[1]
5. Common colds.[1,2] Respiratory catarrh.
6. Wounds.[2]
SPECIFIC INDICATIONS: Flatulent digestive pains.[1]
CONTRAINDICATIONS: Peppermint is not normally indicated with acute or chronic inflammation of the stomach as it does not have the antiinflammatory action like Chamomile.[4]
COMBINATIONS
PREPARATIONS  3X / day The actions of peppermint herb is due largely to its essential oil. Very often used as a tea.
Dried herb  2-4 g,[1,2] or by infusion[1] 1:20.[2]
Fluid extract leaf 45% alcohol.[3]
Used as an ingredient in cough and cold remedies.[5]

Peppermint oil- produced by steam distillation of above ground parts of peppermint.
Aromatherapy
Aroma: Stongly piecing, refreshing, sharp, menthol fragrance. Helps people become clear headed and refreshes the spirits. It helps concentration, by being an ideal remedy for all digestive disorders including colic, flatuence, stomach pains and diarrhea. It is an effective remedy for travel sickness.
INDICATIONS
1. Colds and influenza- injest 1-3 drops in hot milk.[4]
2. Bronchitis- the oil is used with boiling water for inhalation.[4]
PREPARATIONS
Powdered herb 2-4 g.[5]
Essential oil  0.05-0.2 ml.[1,2] (1-4 drops).
Peppermint spirit BPC 1973, 0.25-1 ml.[5]
Concentrated Peppermint water (BP1973) 0.25-1.0 ml.
                
ORIGIN: Cultivated widely, particularly in Europe and America.
DESCRIPTION
References
 Inner Path can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Constituents
Research
Menthol has a local anaesthetic effect on the throat.[1] It is used for oral ingestion and inhalation as cough and cold ingredient.[1] The spasmolytic and carminative effects have been shown experimentally in vivo and in vitro, thus confirming what has been common knowledge for centuries.[2,3] Peppermint extracts also have antiviral effects.[4]
References
[1] Weiss, Rudolf Fritz Herbal Medicine Translated from the Sixth German Edition of Lehrbuch der Phytotherapie by A. R. Meuss. (1988) ISBN 0-906584-19-1 British Library Calaloguing in Publication Data Beaconsfield publishers Ltd, Beaconfield, England.
[2] Harries, N. et al. (1978) J. Clin. Pharm. 2, 171
[3] Kantarev, N. and Peicev, P. (1977) Folia Med. 19 (1), 41
[4] Kucera, L.S. and Hermann, E.C., Jnr. (1967) Proc. Soc. Exp. Biol. Med. 124, 865 and 874

Efficiency of the use of peppermint (Mentha piperita L) essential oil inhalations in the combined multi-drug therapy for pulmonary tuberculosis.
[Article in Russian]
Shkurupii VA, Kazarinova NV, Ogirenko AP, Nikonov SD, Tkachev AV, Tkachenko KG.
Abstract
The essential oil of peppermint (Mentha piperita L.) has been found to have an in vitro pronounced and equal antimycobacterial effect in doses of 300 and 600 micrograms/ml, respectively. The use of its inhalations (upon 20-min heat evaporation into the room atmosphere for 2 months) as a supplement to combined multidrug therapy for pulmonary tuberculosis has indicated their significantly high positive effect in terms of abacillation (by 26.8 and 58.5% with doses of 0.01 and 0.005 ml/m3, respectively). This was followed by earlier positive X-ray changes in the lung and by attenuation of the intoxication syndrome. The findings suggest that peppermint essential oil may be used in combined multidrug therapy in patients with disseminated and infiltrative pulmonary tuberculosis.
PMID: 12125251 Probl Tuberk. 2002;(4):36-9. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Protective effects of bioactive phytochemicals from Mentha piperita with multiple health potentials
Seyedeh Maryam Sharafi, Iraj Rasooli,1 Parviz Owlia,2 Massoud Taghizadeh, and Shakiba Darvish Alipoor Astaneh
Abstract
Mentha piperita essential oil was bactericidal in order of E. coli> S. aureus > Pseudomonas aeruginosa > S. faecalis > Klebsiella pneumoniae. The oil with total phenolics of 89.43 ± 0.58 µg GAE/mg had 63.82 ± 0.05% DPPH inhibition activity with an IC 50 = 3.9 µg/ml. Lipid peroxidation inhibition was comparable to BHT and BHA. A 127% hike was noted in serum ferric-reducing antioxidant power. There was 38.3% decrease in WBCs count, while platelet count showed increased levels of 214.12%. Significant decrease in uric acid level and cholesterol/HDL and LDL/HDL ratios were recorded. The volatile oil displayed high cytotoxic action toward the human tumor cell line. The results of this study deserve attention with regard to antioxidative and possible anti-neoplastic chemotherapy that form a basis for future research. The essential oil of mint may be exploited as a natural source of bioactive phytopchemicals bearing antimicrobial and antioxidant potentials that could be supplemented for both nutritional purposes and preservation of foods. Journal ListPharmacogn Magv.6(23); Jul-Sep 2010PMC2950373
Pharmacogn Mag. 2010 Jul-Sep; 6(23): 147–153.
doi: 10.4103/0973-1296.66926    PMCID: PMC2950373 ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Antiallergic effect of flavonoid glycosides obtained from Mentha piperita L.
Inoue T, Sugimoto Y, Masuda H, Kamei C.
Abstract
Six flavonoid glycosides, eriocitrin (1), narirutin (2), hesperidin (3), luteolin-7-O-rutinoside (4), isorhoifolin (5), diosmin (6), rosmarinic acid (7) and 5,7-dihydroxycromone-7-O-rutinoside (8), were isolated from the aerial part of Mentha piperita L. Among these compounds, compound 4 showed a potent inhibitory effect on histamine release induced by compound 48/80 and antigen-antibody reaction. This compound was more effective than luteolin and luteolin-7-O-glucoside in inhibiting histamine release from rat peritoneal mast cells. Compound 4 also caused a dose-related inhibition of the antigen-induced nasal response and significant effects were observed at doses of 100 and 300 mg/kg. These results indicate that compound 4 may be clinically useful in alleviating the nasal symptoms of allergic rhinitis.
PMID: 11853178   Biol Pharm Bull. 2002 Feb;25(2):256-9. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effect of Mentha piperita (Labiatae) and Mentha spicata (Labiatae) on iron absorption in rats.
Akdogan M, Gultekin F, Yontem M.
Abstract
AIM:
The effect of Mentha piperita (Labiatae) and Mentha spicata (Labiatae) teas, which contain different phenol compounds, on iron metabolism was studied. These teas grow in different areas of the city of Isparta, Turkey. These herbals were given to the rats in tea.
METHODS:
Forty-eight male Wistar albino rats weighing 200-250 g were used for this study. The rats were divided into four groups of 12 animals: Group I received no herbal tea (control group); Group II received 20 g/L M. piperita tea; Group III received 20 g/L M. spicata tea; Group IV received 40 g/L M. spicata tea. Herbal teas were prepared daily and provided at all times to the rats over 30 days as drinking water.
RESULTS:
M. piperita tea caused a decrease in serum iron and ferritin levels (P < 0.05), and caused an increase in unsaturated iron-binding capacity (UIBC) (P < 0.01). M. spicata tea caused no significant change in serum iron, ferritin levels and UIBC (P > 0.05).
CONCLUSION:
Both herbal teas inhibited Fe absorption. Inhibition caused by M. spicata tea was dose dependent. Therefore, when drinking these teas, their effect should be considered, especially for children and anemic patients.
PMID: 15941008  Toxicol Ind Health. 2004 Sep;20(6-10):119-22. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Pharmacological Action of Mentha piperita on Lipid Profile in Fructose-Fed Rats.
Mani Badal R, Badal D, Badal P, Khare A, Shrivastava J, Kumar V.
Abstract
Cardiovascular diseases with an incidence of approximately 50% are the main causes of death in most advanced countries and an increasing trend in the developing world as well. The World Health Organization estimates that 12 million people per year worldwide die from cardiovascular diseases. Cardiovascular diseases are becoming an increasing problem worldwide and hypercholesterolemia has been correlated for coronary heart diseases. Nearly all lipoproteins are involved in this process including cholesterol carried by very low density lipoproteins (VLDL), remnant lipoproteins and low density lipoproteins (LDL). Currently, available hypolipidemic drugs have been associated with the number of side effects. Herbal treatment for hyperlipidemia poses no side effects and is relatively cheap and locally available. In view of this, the present study was carried out to investigate the effect of Menthe piperita on serum lipid levels of albino rats. Mentha piperita aqueous extract (100 mg/Kg, 250 mg/Kg p.o. daily) was fed for 3 weeks on fructose-fed rats and the levels of glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, very low density lipoprotein, low density lipoprotein, and atherogenic index was measured. Twenty-four male Sprague Dawley rats were divided into four groups (6 per group). The results of present study indicate that Mentha piperita had significant beneficial effects against fructose-induced hyperlipidemia and showed good antioxidant activity. The aqueous extract of the plant produced a significant decrease (p < 0.05) in elevated levels of glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, very low density lipoprotein, low density lipoprotein and atherogenic index and also increased the high density lipoprotein cholesterol levels and HDL-ratio without affecting serum insulin levels in fructose-fed rats.
KEYWORDS:
Antioxidant defense; Fructose; HDL; Mentha piperita.; Total cholesterol; Triglyceride hyperlipidemia
PMID: 24250421 PMCID: PMC3813062  Iran J Pharm Res. 2011 Fall;10(4):843-8.  ncbi.nlm.nih.gov