Practical
Plants

Mentha x piperita vulgaris

Black Peppermint

a perennial member of the Mentha genus in the family Labiatae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Family
Labiatae
Genus
Mentha
Life cycle
perennial
Height
0.45 m
Spread
1 m
Fertility
Insects
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Insects

Uses

Toxicity

Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

In large quantities this plant, especially in the form of the extracted essential oil, can cause abortions so should not be used by pregnant women.

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Leaves - raw or cooked. A strong peppermint flavour, they are used as a flavouring in salads or cooked foods[9][20][2]. This plant should not be used by pregnant women, see the notes above on toxicity. An essential oil from the leaves and flowers is used as a flavouring in sweets, chewing gum, ice cream etc[8]. A herb tea is made from the fresh or dried leaves[12][8].

Product or use
Condiment
Product or use
Tea
Plant part
Leaves

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Black peppermint is a very important and commonly used herbal remedy, being employed by allopathic doctors as well as herbalists[25]. It is also widely used as a domestic remedy. This cultivar is considered to be stronger acting than white peppermint (Mentha x piperita officinalis). A tea made from the leaves has traditionally been used in the treatment of fevers, headaches, digestive disorders (especially flatulence) and various minor ailments[14][16]. The herb is abortifacient, anodyne, antiseptic, antispasmodic, carminative, cholagogue, diaphoretic, refrigerant, stomachic, tonic and vasodilator[21][25][12][6][16]. An infusion is used in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome, digestive problems, spastic colon etc[19]. Externally a lotion is applied to the skin to relieve pain and reduce sensitivity[19]. The leaves and stems can be used fresh or dried, they are harvested for drying in August as the flowers start to open[21]. The essential oil in the leaves is antiseptic and strongly antibacterial, though it is toxic in large doses[14][19]. When diluted it can be used as an inhalant and chest rub for respiratory infections[19]. The essential oil is used in aromatherapy. Its keyword is 'Cooling'[13].

Product or use
Abortifacient
Product or use
Anodyne
Product or use
Antiseptic
Product or use
Antispasmodic
Product or use
Aromatherapy
Product or use
Carminative
Product or use
Cholagogue
Product or use
Diaphoretic
Product or use
Refrigerant
Product or use
Stomachic
Product or use
Tonic
Product or use
Vasodilator

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

An essential oil is obtained from the whole plant. It is used medicinally and as a food flavouring[9][22][23].. It is also an ingredient of oral hygiene preparations, toiletries etc[16]. Peppermint leaves are used as an ingredient of pot-pourri[16]. They were formerly used as a strewing herb[4]. The plant repels insects, rats etc[4][7][10]. Rats and mice intensely dislike the smell of mint. The plant was therefore used in homes as a strewing herb and has also been spread in granaries to keep the rodents off the grain[18].

Product or use
Essential
Product or use
Repellent
Product or use
Strewing

Environment

Range
Britain.
Habitat
A natural hybrid, M. aquatica x M. spicata, found in moist soils in ditches, waste places etc[25].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 3+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay, heavy clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - sow spring in a cold frame. Germination is usually fairly quick. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and plant them out in the summer. Mentha species are very prone to hybridisation and so the seed cannot be relied on to breed true. Even without hybridisation, seedlings will not be uniform and so the content of medicinal oils etc will vary. When growing plants with a particular aroma it is best to propagate them by division[K]. Division can be easily carried out at almost any time of the year, though it is probably best done in the spring or autumn to allow the plant to establish more quickly. Virtually any part of the root is capable of growing into a new plant. Larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. However, for maximum increase it is possible to divide the roots up into sections no more than 3cm long and pot these up in light shade in a cold frame. They will quickly become established and can be planted out in the summer.

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Succeeds in most soils and situations so long as the soil is not too dry[1][11]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. A sunny position is best for the production of essential oils, but plants also succeed in partial shade. Prefers a slightly acid soil[5]. A commonly grown herb[21], it is often cultivated commercially for its essential oil[24]. This is the black form of peppermint and it is said to produce a superior essential oil, making it the preferred choice as a food flavouring and for medicinal purposes. The oil is of better quality when the plant is grown on dry soils[3]. Most mints have fairly aggressive spreading roots and, unless you have the space to let them roam, they need to be restrained by some means such as planting them in containers that are buried in the soil[K]. Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus. The flowers are very attractive to bees and butterflies[17]. A good companion for growing near cabbages and tomatoes, helping to keep them free of insect pests[10]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[15].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩

  2. Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing 1976-00-00

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  3. Johnson. C. P. The Useful Plants of Great Britain.

    ↩

  4. Holtom. J. and Hylton. W. Complete Guide to Herbs. Rodale Press 1979-00-00 ISBN 0-87857-262-7

    ↩1↩2

  5. Simons. New Vegetable Growers Handbook. Penguin 1977-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-050-0

    ↩

  6. Mills. S. Y. The Dictionary of Modern Herbalism.

    ↩

  7. Philbrick H. and Gregg R. B. Companion Plants. Watkins 1979-00-00

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  8. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

    ↩1↩2

  9. Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications 1972-00-00 ISBN 0-486-20459-6

    ↩1↩2

  10. Riotte. L. Companion Planting for Successful Gardening. Garden Way, Vermont, USA. 1978-00-00 ISBN 0-88266-064-0

    ↩1↩2

  11. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

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  12. Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books 1983-00-00 ISBN 0-553-23827-2

    ↩1↩2

  13. Westwood. C. Aromatherapy - A guide for home use. Amberwood Publishing Ltd 1993-00-00 ISBN 0-9517723-0-9

    ↩

  14. Foster. S. & Duke. J. A. A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants. Eastern and Central N. America. Houghton Mifflin Co. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0395467225

    ↩1↩2

  15. Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants J. M. Dent & Sons, London. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0 460 86048 8

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  16. Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  17. Baines. C. Making a Wildlife Garden.

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  18. Phillips. R. & Foy. N. Herbs Pan Books Ltd. London. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30725-8

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  19. Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London 1996-00-00 ISBN 9-780751-303148

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  20. Vilmorin. A. The Vegetable Garden. Ten Speed Press ISBN 0-89815-041-8

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  21. Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9

    ↩1↩2↩3

  22. Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00

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  23. Schery. R. W. Plants for Man.

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  24. Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202

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  25. Launert. E. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn 1981-00-00 ISBN 0-600-37216-2

    ↩1↩2↩3

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