Peppermint

PEPPERMINT – COOLING CLARITY
Mentha × piperita

Origin and Legacy

  • A natural hybrid of watermint (Mentha aquatica) and spearmint (Mentha spicata)

  • Indigenous to Europe and the Middle East, now cultivated globally

  • Used medicinally for over 3,000 years – from Ancient Egypt and Greece to Traditional European Herbalism

  • In ancient Greek mythology, named after the nymph Mentha, who was transformed into the fragrant herb by Persephone

  • Valued as both food and medicine – revered for its aroma, digestive power, and cooling vitality

Key Benefits

  • Relieves bloating, indigestion, and nausea by relaxing gastrointestinal muscles

  • Soothes tension headaches and nervous stress

  • Enhances mental clarity and alertness

  • Antimicrobial, antifungal, and antiviral properties

  • Relieves sinus congestion and opens the breath

  • Calms skin irritation when applied topically

  • Acts as a carminative – reducing gas and spasms in the gut

  • Supports liver function and bile flow

  • Cools heat conditions – useful for inflammation, fevers, and hot flashes

Energetics and Use

  • Cooling - Drying - Aromatic

  • Supports the digestive, nervous, and respiratory systems

  • Often taken as a tea, tincture, essential oil, or incorporated into topical balms

  • Combines well with chamomile, ginger, fennel, or lemon balm in blends

  • Best used in moderation and with balance – strong in effect and essence

Scientific Highlights

  • Menthol, the key active compound, acts on TRPM8 receptors – producing a cooling sensation

  • Demonstrated antispasmodic effects on smooth muscle tissue, particularly in the intestines (useful in IBS)

  • Shown to relieve tension headaches via vasodilation and cooling nerve endings

  • Contains rosmarinic acid, a potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory

  • Exhibits broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity – effective against E. coli, Salmonella, Staphylococcus aureus

  • Inhalation of peppermint oil improves cognitive performance and working memory (Moss et al., 2008)

  • Clinical trials support its efficacy in relieving dyspepsia, bloating, and irritable bowel symptoms

Contraindications

  • Not recommended for infants or very young children (due to menthol’s strong vapors)

  • May worsen acid reflux or GERD in sensitive individuals

  • High doses of concentrated essential oil may cause nausea or interact with medications

  • Avoid applying undiluted essential oil directly to mucous membranes

Sourcing

  • Our peppermint oil is sourced ethically and sustainably

  • We found the absolute best source of peppermint essential oil we could find – vibrant, aromatic, and rich in active compounds

  • Always free from pesticides, irradiation, and post-harvest chemical treatments

  • Used in our formulations as both an active and aromatic support – lending vitality, brightness, and functional depth

Quick Facts

  • Menthol concentration in dried peppermint leaf ranges from 1.2% to 3.9%

  • One of the most widely studied herbs in the modern pharmacopoeia

  • Recognised by the European Medicines Agency and World Health Organization for digestive support

  • Used in Ayurveda and Unani medicine for “cooling Pitta” and balancing heat in the body

  • Pairs perfectly with mushrooms, adaptogens, and roots for a balanced formulation

Formulation Note

Peppermint is featured in select MyGemBox formulations like our Canna Bliss Ball for its ability to refresh the senses, soothe the belly, and sharpen the mind. It provides a bright, aromatic bridge between deeper botanicals and serves as a cooling counterbalance in adaptogenic or mushroom-based blends.

References

  • McKay & Blumberg (2006), Phytotherapy Research

  • Grigoleit & Grigoleit (2005), Phytomedicine

  • Moss et al. (2008), International Journal of Neuroscience

  • WHO Monographs on Selected Medicinal Plants (Vol. 2)

  • EMA Herbal Monograph – Mentha x piperita L., folium