Touted for both its ability to soothe nauseous tummies and for its minty-sweet flavor, peppermint offers much healing potential in its flavorful leaves. Brewed as a tea, peppermint offers digestive benefits, and most of its discovered healing potential lies within its essential oil, which contains menthol and menthone, key bioactive components. Studies have found the peppermint essential oil, used in traditional folk medicine for many ailments, to have positive effects on irritable bowel and other gastrointestinal disorders, antibacterial and antiviral activity, and antioxidative and anticancer activity. Peppermint, or Mentha piperita, undoubtedly makes a great cup of tea, but offers even more in the way of health benefits. (Source)
Peppermint for Gastrointestinal Health
Perhaps most commonly known for its gut-healing abilities, peppermint and its essential oil have been found in several studies to alleviate symptoms of various digestive distress and disorders. One study investigated the effects of peppermint oil on gastrointestinal pressure and sensorimotor function in healthy human volunteers. The peppermint oil was found to reduce intragastric pressure, contractions and appetite in the subjects. (Source) In one study, aqueous extracts of dried-leaf peppermint (in other words, peppermint tea) were found to significantly relax the duodenums (upper small intestines) of rabbits, while another study found menthol and peppermint oil to inhibit calcium channels and thus relax gastrointestinal tract muscles. Peppermint oil has also been found to improve bile flow in rats. (Source) (Do not ingest essential oil unless under the care of a qualified medical aromatherapist.)
Peppermint for Cancer Prevention and Treatment
Studies have found peppermint to have antioxidative effects, as well as protective effects against various forms of cancer. One study found aqueous extract of peppermint leaves to have antioxidative, genotoxic and chemopreventative effects on mice with lung tumors. (Source) In another study, aqueous peppermint leaf extract was found to inhibit development of oral cancer in mice. (Source) Peppermint has also been found to be helpful in the diagnosis of certain cancers. One study found peppermint oil to aid with identification by improving clarity in endoscopic diagnosis of gastric tumors. (Source)
Peppermint for Protection Against Radiation
Much research has found peppermint to have a marked protective effect against radiation-induced damage. This unique quality of the mint was found in one study that found peppermint leaf extract to protect against radiation-induced hematopoietic damage in the bone marrow of mice (Source), and in another study that found peppermint extract to have neuroprotective effects against gamma radiation damage. (Source)
Peppermint for Liver Health
Though more research is needed in this area, peppermint has been found in research to exhibit protective effects against liver toxicity. One study found peppermint leaf extract to protect against liver toxicity in mice. (Source)
NUTRITIONAL PROFILE
Peppermint leaves, 1 ounce(28g)
Calories: 20
Sodium: 9mg
Total Carbohydrate: 4g
Dietary Fiber: 2g
Protein: 1g
Vitamin A: 24% Daily Value
Vitamin C: 15%
Riboflavin: 4%
Folate: 8%
Calcium: 7%
Iron: 8%
Magnesium: 6%
Potassium: 5%
Copper: 5%
Manganese: 16%