Peppermint

Peppermint: (scientific name Mentha Piperita L.), belongs to the Labiatae family; it is a perennial, rhizomatous herbaceous plant that initially develops a hairy creeping stem that emits roots at the nodes and subsequently becomes erect with a square section. It can reach 70 cm in height. The oval, lanceolate, almost hairless leaves are rather dark green; the flowers have pink-purple shades and are arranged in small vertices. It is a garden plant that flowers in summer and reproduces from suckers. All species of Mint, both wild and cultivated, give off a characteristic, penetrating scent, mainly due to the presence in the leaves of an essential oil containing menthol. Peppermint is probably the species with the most intense and pleasant scent, from which the best quality essence is obtained. For their herbal use, the flowers and leaves of mint are collected between July and August and left to dry in the open air. Soothing yet invigorating, peppermint is one of the many varieties of the famous mint family. Although originally used only by the Greeks and Romans, peppermint became popular in the 18th century as a stomach remedy; even before that, in the Middle Ages, it was used to freshen breath and whiten teeth. Today, peppermint consumption is widespread. Thanks to menthol, the active ingredient in peppermint, this plant can alleviate a variety of health and beauty problems.