Peppermint

Common name: Mentha

Latin name: Mentha piperita L.

Other names: peppermint, mint

Description: Peppermint (Mentha piperita L.) is a perennial cultivated hybrid plant from the Labiatae family. It has a branched and shallow underground rhizome. The stems are quadrangular, strongly branched, reaching a height of up to 1 m. The leaves are elliptical, dark green, with short petioles. The color is dense, light pink or violet. It has a strong characteristic smell. Flowering is from June to the end of August. It is found in the wild in damp and sheltered, wind-sheltered places throughout the country.

Used part of the plant: The Leaves (Folia Menthae Piperitae) and Herbs (Herba Menthae Piperitae) are used.

Collecting time: The leaves and herbs of mint are harvested before flowering has begun, in dry weather, after the dew has evaporated and before the sun has dried the essential oil in the plant. The stem is cut a few centimeters from the ground. Only healthy green leaves are harvested, and brown or insect-eaten leaves are removed.

Content and properties: The plant contains peppermint oil (menthol, mentenone, piperitone, cineole, menthene), perillyl alcohol, enzymes, carotene, tannins, resins, bitter substances, isovaleric acid, nicotinic acid, vitamin C, vitamin B5, etc. The best quality peppermint oil contains 50-60% menthol. The essential oil is extracted by steam distillation of the peppermint leaves. The medicinal plant acts as an antispasmodic, tonic, pain reliever, refreshing, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, vasodilator, increases appetite.

Healing action and application: Due to its medicinal ingredients and menthol oil, peppermint has a wide range of applications in medicine, household industry, cosmetics and cooking. The plant is successfully used for digestive problems, stomach gas and cramps, heartburn, cold, insomnia, headache, nervous agitation, gingivitis, toothache, bad breath, migraine, cold, fatigue, etc. Favors the functions of the liver and pancreas.

Opportunities for offering upon specific request of the client:

Vesselino Ltd. offers their customers the plant in the following varieties:

• Dried Leaves (Folia Mentha piperita L.) and Dried Herbs (Herba Mentha piperita L.) - whole, roughly crushed, cut in particular sizes according to the customer's requirements, in powdering form/flour.