It is the oil obtained by the distillation of Mentha piperita, belonging to family Labiatae.
PEPPERMINT
Synonym
Brandy Mint.
Botanical Source
It is the oil obtained by the distillation of Mentha piperita, belonging to family
Labiatae.
Geographical Source
It is mainly found in Europe, United States, and also in
damp places of England.
Cultivation and Collection
Peppermint thrives best in a fairly warm, preferably moist
climate, with well-drained, deep soils rich in humus. Peppermint will grow
successfully, if once started into growth and carefully cultivated. The usual
method of cultivation is to dig runners in the early spring and lay them in
shallow trenches, 3 feet apart in well-prepared soil. The growing crop is kept
well-cultivated and absolutely free from weeds and in the summer when the plant
is in full bloom, the mint is cut by hand and distilled in straw. A part of the
exhausted herb is dried and used for cattle food.
Characteristics
The leaves are shortly and distinctly stalked, 2 inches long
and 3/4 to 1.5 inches broad. The margins are finely toothed, with smooth upper
and lower surfaces The stems are 2 to 4 feet high, frequently purplish in
colour. The flowers are reddish-violet in colour, present in the axils of the
upper leaves, forming loose, interrupted spikes. The plant has a characteristic
odour and if applied to the tongue has a hot, aromatic taste at first and
afterwards produces a sensation of cold in the mouth caused by menthol present
in it. Oil is colourless, yellowish or greenish liquid, with penetrating odour
and a burning, camphorescent taste. On storage it becomes thick and reddish but
increases the mellowness even if it is stored for 14 years.
Chemical Constituents
The chief constituent of Peppermint oil is Menthol, along
with other constituents like menthyl acetate, isovalerate, menthone, cineol,
inactive pinene, limonene, and other less important bodies. Menthol separates
on cooling it to a low temperature (–22°C). The flavouring properties of the
oil are due to both the ester and alcoholic constituents, whereas the
medicinal value is attributed only due to the alcoholic components. The English
oil contains 60 to 70% of Menthol, the Japanese oil containing 85%, and the
American has only about 50%.
Uses
It is stimulant, stomachic, carminative, inflatulence, and
colic; in some dyspepsia, sudden pains, for cramp in the abdomen and also in cholera
and diarrhoea. Oil of peppermint allays sickness and nausea, as infants
cordial. Peppermint is good to aid in raising internal heat and inducing
perspiration. It is also used in cases of hysteria and nervous disorders.
Adulterants
Camphor oil, Cedarwood oil, and oil of African Copaiba are
occasionally used as an adulterant of Peppermint oil, the oil is also
adulterated with one-third part of rectified spirit. If adulterated with
rectified spirit it can be identified by agitating it with water which
produces milkiness. Rosemary oil and Turpentine oil are also sometimes used as
adulterants.
Marketed Products
It is one of the ingredients of the preparation known as
Dabur lal tooth powder (Dabur).
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