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Mentha × piperita
Peppermint 		Denver Botanic Gardens
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Accession Number: 162211*1

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Other Plants Like This: Mentha (Mint)

TOUR DETAILS Medicinal uses: Peppermint has multiple medicinal uses as it contains, menthol, a volatile oil that has antibacterial, antiseptic, and antifungal properties. For these reasons, many hikers chew peppermint while drinking from a stream to kill any microbes in the water. Peppermint is considered a choleretic (secretes bile from the liver), antiseptic, analgesic, and invigorator (brings up energy levels). It has also been known to have aphrodisiac (increases libido) properties in high doses. Peppermint is commonly used digestively to relieve symptoms of gas, bloating, indigestion and IBS. It can also be applied to the skin to relieve pain. Peppermint oil is especially useful in relieving headaches; but can also be used as a chest-rub to reduce coughing. Tea made from peppermint leaves is soothing to anyone with a sore throat, cough, bronchitis or cold.
Mythology/Folklore: Peppermint is not actually its own species, but a hybrid of watermint (M. aquatica) and spearmint (M. spicata). The genus name Mentha comes from a Greek myth: Minthe was a beautiful nymph who Hades, god of the Underworld, was in love with. Unfortunately, his jealous wife Persephone found out, and turned Minthe into a plant! To make it up to Minthe, Hades gave her a sweet smell. Dried peppermint leaves were found in Egyptian pyramids dating from around 1,000 B.C. Peppermint was so valued during the time of Egyptian pharaohs, that they used it as a form of currency.
Medicinal Recipe: Infused Peppermint Oil
Ingredients and Materials: fresh peppermint leaves (at least six), glass jar with tight lid, carrier oil such as olive oil, coconut oil, or grapeseed oil
Directions: Wash the peppermint leaves, then crush them. Place them in the jar and pour the carrier oil in. Make sure the oil covers the leaves completely. Afterward, seal the jar tightly and wait 24 hours. Next, strain oil and add more chopped peppermint leaves, and carrier oil, then reseal. Repeat this process for five days. Remove the peppermint leaves by straining and pour the oil into another container. Store in a cool place.
Culture: (from staff horticulturist Blake Burger) "Peppermint prefers a sunny location and moist soil, although it can tolerate part shade. Harvest peppermint leaves and stems often to encourage compact growth."
LOCATION GROUP Mordecai Children's Gdn; Mordecai Children's Gdn Medicinal Hill
FAMILY NAME Mint Family
FAMILY Lamiaceae
ACCESSION DATE June 20, 2016
(When this plant was acquired and registered in the database)
FLOWER COLOR purple
FLOWER COLOR NOTE lavender
USDA HZ 3 (Coldest Zone Where Hardy)
HABIT Herbaceous (Non-woody); Rhizome
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