A hybrid perennial plant; 1-3 feet tall; the erect, square,
branching stem is tinged with reddish-purple (not green as in spearmint) and
has opposite, dark green, ovate to lanceo-late, serrate leaves. Axillary and
terminal spikes of small, purple (violet) flowers in loose, interrupted
terminal spikes, arranged in whorls, appear from July to frost. The whole
plant has the characteristic smell of menthol.
Spearmint smells like chewing gum; peppermint smells like toothpaste.
Other mints, used similarly to peppermint: spearmint (M.
spicata), water mint (M. aquatica), and curled mint
(M. crispa).
Diaphoretic, aromatic, carminative, chologogue (stimulates flow of bile),
stomachic, calmative, mild alterative, stimulant, rubefacient, nervine,
analgesic
Menthol, menthone, fasmone, methyl acetate, volatile oils, tannic acid,
terpenes, and vitamin C.
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Peppermint
