Peppermint (Mentha piperita) is a widely consumed herbal tea that may have beneficial health effects. Peppermint tea is usually made from peppermint leaves that have a distinctive armour because of the phytochemicals they contain. These phytochemicals include an essential oil that is largely responsible for the taste and smell of peppermint because of its volatile component. The leaves are rich in antioxidants that include rosmarinic acid and high levels of the flavonoids eriocitrin, luteolin and hesperidin are also present. Topically peppermint has antimicrobial properties, but these are not evident upon consumption. One of the main physiological activities of peppermint, that likely results from the essential oils, is a significant relaxing effect on the gastrointestinal wall. Peppermint can also cause an analgesic and anaesthetic effect on the peripheral nervous system, as well as immunomodulating effects. These effects make peppermint an effective strategy to treat certain gastrointestinal tract problems such as stomach cramps and irritable bowel syndrome.
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McKay, D. L. and Blumberg, J. B. 2006. A review of the bioactivity and potential health benefits of peppermint tea (Mentha piperita L.). Phytotherapy Research: An International Journal Devoted to Pharmacological and Toxicological Evaluation of Natural Product Derivatives. 20(8): 619-633