Mentha × piperita
Mentha piperita
Mentha × piperita, commonly known as peppermint, is a sterile hybrid mint celebrated for its invigorating aroma and therapeutic properties. Rich in menthol, this versatile herb is widely utilized in herbal medicine to soothe digestive issues, alleviate headaches, and provide a refreshing sensory experience in teas, oils, and cosmetics.
- Scientific name: Mentha × piperita
- Family: Lamiaceae
- Native range: Europe
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Lamiales and family Lamiaceae, it is classified under the genus Mentha. As a hybrid species, its scientific name is Mentha × piperita.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Lamiales | WCVP |
| Family | Lamiaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Mentha | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, scientifically known as Mentha × piperita, is widely recognized across various linguistic contexts by its specific common names. In Simplified Chinese, it is referred to as 胡椒薄荷 (zh-hans), which is the same designation used in Traditional Chinese (zh-hant), as well as the specific regional forms for Hong Kong (zh-hk), Mainland China (zh-cn), and Singapore (zh-sg).| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| zh-hans | 胡椒薄荷 | Wikidata |
| zh-hant | 胡椒薄荷 | Wikidata |
| zh-hk | 胡椒薄荷 | Wikidata |
| zh-cn | 胡椒薄荷 | Wikidata |
| zh-sg | 胡椒薄荷 | Wikidata |
| zh-tw | 胡椒薄荷 | Wikidata |
| pl | mięta pieprzowa | Wikidata |
| fr | Menthe poivrée | Wikidata |
| ko | 박하 | Wikidata |
| hu | borsmenta | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a wide distribution across several regions in Europe. In Northern Europe, it can be found growing in Denmark, Great Britain, and Ireland. Its presence extends into Middle Europe as well. Specifically, it is documented in countries such as Austria and Belgium. This variety of locations highlights its adaptability to different European climates.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Europe | Denmark | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Great Britain | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Ireland | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Austria | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Belgium | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Czechia-Slovakia | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Germany | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Hungary | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Netherlands | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Poland | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, known as peppermint, utilizes various components for its therapeutic properties, though its primary medicinal value is concentrated in the foliage. The aromatic leaves are the most widely used part of the plant, containing high concentrations of active compounds. Within these leaves, as well as in the stems, are the essential oils that provide the characteristic cooling sensation and scent. While the plant may produce small, purple flowers during its blooming stage, the most potent medicinal source remains the extracted essential oil, which is harvested through distillation to be used in aromatherapy and various health applications.- Total parts
- 4
- Scientific sources
- 4
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| leaves | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| flowers | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| essential oils | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| essential oil | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Mentha × piperita has 42 reported phytochemicals identified across 63 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include menthol, menthone, peppermint oil, Cd, Hg.
- Total chemicals
- 42
- Scientific sources
- 63
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| menthol | 8 | ★★★★☆ |
| menthone | 5 | ★★★☆☆ |
| peppermint oil | 5 | ★★★☆☆ |
| Cd | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Hg | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Ni | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| limonene | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| polyphenols | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| rosmarinic acid | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| (+)-neomenthol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Mentha × piperita has 13 reported activities identified across 19 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Antimicrobial, Antibacterial, Antidepressant, Antifungal.
- Total activities
- 13
- Scientific sources
- 19
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antioxidant | 6 | ★★★☆☆ |
| Antimicrobial | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antibacterial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antidepressant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antifungal | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antigenotoxic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antispasmodic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antitumor | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Anxiolytic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Choleretic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Mentha × piperita has 41 reported medicinal uses identified across 44 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Irritable Bowel Syndrome, headache, irritable bowel syndrome, Aspergillus niger, Bacillus cereus.
- Total uses
- 41
- Scientific sources
- 44
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Irritable Bowel Syndrome | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| headache | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| irritable bowel syndrome | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Aspergillus niger | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Bacillus cereus | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Candidiasis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Escherichia coli | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Helicobacter pylori | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Salmonella enterica | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Staphylococcus aureus | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |