PDR for Herbal Medicines

580 /PENNYROYAL PDR FOR HERBAL MEDICINES

LITERATURE

Frohne D, Pfander HJ, Giftpflanzen - Ein Handbuch fur

Apotheker, Toxikologen und Biologen, 4. Aufl., Wiss. Verlags-

Ges. Stuttgart 1997.

Hansel R, Keller K, Rimpler H. Schneider G (Hrsg.), Hagers

Handbuch der Pharmazeutischen Praxis, 5. Aufl.. Bde 4-6

(Drogen). Springer Verlag Berlin. Heidelberg. New York, 1992-

1994.

Lewin L, Gifte und Vergiftungen. 6. Aufl., Nachdruck, Haug

Verlag, Heidelberg 1992.

Madaus G, Lehrbuch der Biologischen Arzneimittel, Bde 1-3.

Nachdruck, Georg Olms Verlag Hildesheim 1979.

Miller EC et a!.. (1983) Cancer Res 43: 1124.

Roth L, Daunderer M. Kormann K, Giftpflanzen. Pflanzengifte.

4. Aufl., Ecomed Fachverlag Landsberg Lech 1993.
   Steinegger E. Hansel R. Pharmakognosie, 5. Aufl.. Springer
   Verlag Heidelberg 1992.

Peppermint

Mentha piperita

DESCRIPTION

Medicinal Parts: The medicinal parts are the oil extracted

from the aerial parts of the flowering plant, the dried leaves

and flowering branch tips, the fresh flowering plant and the

whole plant.

Flower and Fruit: The flowers are false spikes with

numerous inconspicuous bracts. The calyx is tubular with a

ring of hair. The corolla is violet, glabrous inside and has an

almost even margin divided into four parts.

Leaves, Stem qgdgoot: The plant is a perennial^ 50 to 90 cm

high. The usually branched stems are normally glabrous, but

sometimes they are gray-tomentose and are often tinged

violet. The leaves are short-petioled, oblong-ovate and

serrate. The plant has over- and underground runners.

Habitat: Common in Europe and the U.S., usually cultivated.

Production: Peppermint oil consists of the essential oil of

Mentha piperita obtained by aqueous steam distillation from

freshly harvested, flowering springs and preparations of

same. Peppermint leaves consist of the fresh or dried leaf of

Peppermint as well as its preparations.

Peppermint leaf is harvested several times a year. The
maximum leaf harvest and highest oil content is shortly
before the flowering season. The harvest is dried mechani-
cally on drying belts at a temperature of 42° C. Peppermint is
harvested mechanically shortly after flowering and dried in
the field.

Not to be Confused With: Peppermint should not be confused

with rectified mint oil. Sometimes adulterated by increasing

the ester content with racemic menthol acetate.

Other Names: Brandy Mint, Lamb Mint

ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY

COMPOUNDS: PEPPERMINT LEAVES

Volatile oil: chief components: menthol (35-45%), menthone

(15-20%), menthyl acetate (3-5%), neomenthol (2.5-3.5%),

isomenthone (2-3%), menthofurane (2-7%), additionally

including among others limonene, pulegone, alpha- and beta-

pinene, trans-sabinene hydrate

Caffeic.acid: including among others, rosmaric acid

Flavonoids: apigenine-, diosmetin- and luteolin glycosides,

free lipophile methoxylized flavone including among others,

xanthomicrol, gardenine D

EFFECTS: PEPPERMINT LEAVES

The drug has a spasmolytic effect on the smooth muscle of

the digestive tract. It also has antiviral, antimicrobial,

diuretic, cholagogic, carminative and mild sedative effect.

COMPOUNDS: PEPPERMINT OIL

Chief components: menthol (35-45%), menthone (15-20%),

menthyl acetate (3-5%), neomenthol (2.5-3.5%), isomen-

thone (2-3%), menthofurane (2-7%), additionally including

among others limonene, pulegone, alpha- and beta-pinene,

trans-sabinene hydrate

Lubiatentannins: including, among others rosmaric acid

Flavonoids: apigenine-, diosmetin- and luteolin glycosides,

free lipophile methoxylized flavone including, among others

xanthomicrol, gardenine D

EFFECTS: PEPPERMINT OIL

The drug has a spasmolytic effect on smooth muscle of the

gastrointestinal tract. It is a carminative, cholagogue, anti-

bacterial, insecticidal and secretolytic agent; it also has a

cooling effect on the skin.

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

PEPPERMINT LEAVES

Approved by Commission E:

• Liver and gallbladder complaints
  9 Dyspeptic complaints

The drug is used for convulsive complaints of the gastroin-

testinal tract as well as gallbladder and bile ducts.

Unproven Uses: In folk use, peppermint is utilized for

nausea, vomiting, morning sickness, respiratory infections,

dysmenorrhea and colds.

Homeopathic Uses: The drug is used for colds.