Medicinal Monday - Peppermint

Peppermint is a strongly aromatic herb that has been used medicinally for centuries. Although the plant is indigenous to Europe and the Middle East, it is now widely spread and cultivated in many regions of the world. Native Americans used peppermint in a variety of ways from flavoring food to treating a number of ailments.

About Peppermint

Peppermint is part of the Mentha family and its' Latin name is Mentha x Piperita. Peppermint is a fast-growing perennial plant that spreads by rhizomes that are wide-spreading, fleshy and have fibrous roots. The dark green leaves with reddish veins are long and broad and grow on slightly fuzzy stems. The flowers are purple and produced in whorls around the stem forming thick blunt spikes. The flowers bloom from mid.-to- late summer. Peppermint can be found growing in moist habitats including stream sides.

Medicinal Uses

Many Native Americans used peppermint to flavor medicines and food. The Cherokee, the Iroquois, and Menominee use an infusion of the entire plant to treat a cold and fever. They would also make a poultice and apply it to the chest to treat pneumonia. The Iroquois, Oklahoma, Quileute, and Hoh make a tonic of the leaves and use it as a smelling and rubbing medicine for sore muscles. This compound is used as a wash on injuries and is called "Little Water Medicine." The Iroquois used an infusion of this plant to throw off witchcraft. The Mohegans give babies an infusion of this plant to treat worms.

Did You Know...

The reason why Peppermint is associated with Christmas probably lies with peppermint candy canes. According to The Oxford Companion to Sugar and Sweets, a local choirmaster in Cologne, Germany, sometime around 1670, was looking for a way to keep rowdy young people quiet while they were watching the live Nativity and asked a local confectioner to create a special hard candy for the kids to keep busy on for a while. It was shaped like a cane—or, more to the point, a shepherd's staff.

Peppermint is considered invasive in Australia, New Zealand, the Galapagos Islands, and in the Great Lakes Region of the United States.

The world cultivation of peppermint is lead by Morocco with 92% of the world total.

In the United States, Oregon and Washington produce the most peppermint.

Peppermint is known to repel some insects and rodents.

Peppermint is used in flavoring of ice cream, candy, fruit preserves, and alcoholic beverages.