Scientific name
Mentha piperita
Family
Labiatae
Origin
Hybrid obtained from three species (M. longifolia x M. rotundifolia —> M. spicata x M. aquatica).
Parts Used
Drug consisting of the leaves (Official Pharmacopoeia).
Chemical constituents
- Essential oil (menthol, menton, mentofuran, eucalyptol, limonene);
- Flavonoids (mentoside, diosmin);
- Phenolic acids (rosmarin, caffeic, chlorogenic);
- Triterpenes;
- Tannins;
- Azuleni.
Mint in Herbal Medicine: Properties of Mint
Mint is used as a taste corrector in numerous foods, herbal teas, galenic preparations and drugs, although folk medicine identifies it as the digestive remedy par excellence.
The antispastic activity on the smooth muscle cells of the digestive and respiratory system is important; moreover, it boasts decongestant and balsamic activities, that is to say fluidifying the secretions of the respiratory system.
