Peppermint

Latin Name: Mentha piperita
Herb Class/Action: Carminative, nervine, digestive, supports microbial balance
Parts Used: Leaves
Flavors: Pungent, acrid
Energetics: Cooling, drying
Traditional Benefits: Digestive support, immune support, mood support, brain support, supports a healthy inflammatory response, stress support, tension support, sinus + respiratory support

Peppermint is much more than a post-meal breath refresher—it’s a versatile and powerful herb that supports digestion, microbiome balance, and a healthy inflammatory response, while also benefiting the nervous system, cognition, and mental clarity.

Known for its cooling and fresh qualities, Peppermint is widely used in products like breath mints, chewing gum, and toothpaste. However, its medicinal applications go far beyond freshening your breath. Thought to have originated in Northern Africa and the Mediterranean, Peppermint has been used for its functional health benefits since at least 1550 BC.

One of the most common ways to use Peppermint in herbalism is to dry the leaves and brew them as tea (though fresh leaves can also be chewed). It’s most often used to promote digestive health, alleviate gastrointestinal discomfort, and support a healthy inflammatory response. Over time, it has been employed to treat a variety of ailments.

Peppermint has a unique combination of cooling and pungent energy, offering both invigorating and soothing properties. This makes it ideal for stimulating digestion while also calming the body. Often, Peppermint is combined with warming herbs to balance its effects.

The herb contains a potent mix of phenolic acids, volatile oils, tannins, triterpenes, flavonoids, and coumarins, which contribute to its cognitive-boosting, microbiome-balancing, and carminative properties. Peppermint is particularly effective in providing relief from gastrointestinal discomfort, including symptoms like bloating, gas, indigestion, and nausea.

Additionally, in ancient Greek culture, Mint was believed to promote sexual behavior, leading them to forbid soldiers from consuming it to maintain focus and control.