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Peppermint at a Glance
Peppermint, Mentha × piperita, is a natural hybrid in the Lamiaceae family derived from water mint and spearmint. Its leaves are used for food, tea and herbal preparations.
Traditional Use
Peppermint tea has a long reputation for digestive comfort, gas and nausea, and the herb is widely used as a flavoring.
Research
Enteric-coated peppermint oil has evidence for reducing symptoms in some people with irritable bowel syndrome. That evidence applies to specific oil capsules and should not be transferred directly to ordinary peppermint tea.
Tea and Essential Oil
Tea provides a much lower exposure to volatile oil than concentrated essential oil. Peppermint oil can irritate skin and mucous membranes if used improperly.
Safety
Peppermint may worsen heartburn or reflux in some people because menthol can relax the lower esophageal sphincter. Concentrated peppermint oil should not be applied near the face of infants or very young children because menthol can trigger breathing problems. Essential oil should not be casually ingested.
Folklore
Mint traditions commonly associate peppermint with clarity, freshness, cleansing and prosperity.
Bottom Line
Peppermint is a familiar food and tea herb, while the strongest digestive research involves specific enteric-coated oil products. For educational purposes only.