THE BENEFITS OF THE USE OF PEPPERMINT
IN HERBAL PREPARATIONS
CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS OF PEPPERMINT
IN HERBAL PREPARATIONS
CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS OF PEPPERMINT
PEPPERMINT
by Susie Ransom
by Susie Ransom
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The active constituent of peppermint, found in the leaves and flowering tops, is menthol and is the alcoholic component responsible for the plant’s characteristic quality to produce a cooling sensation, as well as its medicinal properties. The presence of various esters, particularly menthyl acetate, impart the familiar minty aroma and flavor so familiar to use.
The quality of peppermint oil is determined by its menthol content, which can vary considerably depending upon the region where it is grown. American peppermint oil contains anywhere from 50 to 78 percent menthol, the English oil from 60 to 70 percent, and the Japanese oil nearly 85 percent.
One source states that there are at least more than one hundred other chemical constituents also present in small amounts in the oil; these include a variety of the compounds known as monoterpenes and the class of chemicals called sesquiterpenes. The exact proportions of these different compounds differ depending on one variety of peppermint to another. Also, the aromatic chemicals in the mint are concentrated when the plant is grown in areas with long, warm, bright summer days. (10)
The book “Healing Herbal Teas” lists these constituents in the peppermint leaf: beta carotene, vitamin B complex, vitamin C, potassium, falconoid (luteolin, rutin), volatile oils (menthol, menthene, methyl acetate, limonene, pulegone) methone, tannins, resin, and romaine acid. (11)
Mrs. Grieve describes peppermint oil as “a colourless, yellowish or greenish liquid, with a peculiar, highly penetrating odour and a burning, camphor scent taste. It thickens and becomes reddish with age, but improves in mellowness, even if kept as long as ten or fourteen years.” She ranks it first in importance among essential oils. (12)
(10) herbs2000 www.herbs2000.com Peppermint p. 4
(11) Mars, Brigitte. Healing Herbal Teas p. 71
(12) Grieve, M. Mrs. A Modern Herbal Vol. II p.541
The quality of peppermint oil is determined by its menthol content, which can vary considerably depending upon the region where it is grown. American peppermint oil contains anywhere from 50 to 78 percent menthol, the English oil from 60 to 70 percent, and the Japanese oil nearly 85 percent.
One source states that there are at least more than one hundred other chemical constituents also present in small amounts in the oil; these include a variety of the compounds known as monoterpenes and the class of chemicals called sesquiterpenes. The exact proportions of these different compounds differ depending on one variety of peppermint to another. Also, the aromatic chemicals in the mint are concentrated when the plant is grown in areas with long, warm, bright summer days. (10)
The book “Healing Herbal Teas” lists these constituents in the peppermint leaf: beta carotene, vitamin B complex, vitamin C, potassium, falconoid (luteolin, rutin), volatile oils (menthol, menthene, methyl acetate, limonene, pulegone) methone, tannins, resin, and romaine acid. (11)
Mrs. Grieve describes peppermint oil as “a colourless, yellowish or greenish liquid, with a peculiar, highly penetrating odour and a burning, camphor scent taste. It thickens and becomes reddish with age, but improves in mellowness, even if kept as long as ten or fourteen years.” She ranks it first in importance among essential oils. (12)
(10) herbs2000 www.herbs2000.com Peppermint p. 4
(11) Mars, Brigitte. Healing Herbal Teas p. 71
(12) Grieve, M. Mrs. A Modern Herbal Vol. II p.541