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Botanical perspectives on health Peppermint: more than just an after-dinner mint

Epsom General Hospital, Surrey, England

Ian R. Daniels, FRCS

Epsom General Hospital, Surrey, England

Throughout history different species of mint have been used across the globe for their varying properties, both medi cinal and culinary. Today, the commer cial sales of mints are expanding each year - and at the end of a large meal after-dinner mints are frequently served. But why do we take them?

Peppermint (Mentha piperita ) is usu ally taken after a meal for its ability to reduce indigestion and colonic spasms by reducing the gastrocolic reflex. It is a naturally occurring hybrid cross between water mint (M. aquatica) and spearmint (M. spicata) and is best known for its role as a popular flavour ing agent. Less well recognised is pep permint's potential role in the manage ment of numerous other medical con ditions including certain procedures, e.g. colonoscopy.

With the growing popularity of herbal remedies, among both the pub lic and medical practitioners, it would seem that now is an opportune time to consider further what peppermint has to offer the world of medicine.

Key Words: Analgesic • colonoscopy • irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) • peppermint

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