Mentha × piperita
There is a reason peppermint turns up in almost every kitchen garden and tea caddy. It is easy to grow, generous with its leaves, and that first breath of it from a freshly poured cup can reset a whole afternoon.
I wanted to give one humble herb the attention it deserves. So pop the kettle on, and let's get to know peppermint a little better.
A happy accident
Peppermint is a natural cross between watermint and spearmint, two wild mints that met somewhere along a European stream bank and made something even better.
Mints have been treasured for thousands of years. The Greeks and Romans scattered them across their tables, tucked them into baths, and wove them into garlands. Peppermint as we know it was formally described in England in the late 1600s, and it has been a fixture in apothecaries ever since.
How it is traditionally used
Peppermint is best known as an after dinner herb. It has long been used to support comfortable digestion and ease that heavy, overfull feeling, which is why so many of us reach for a cup after a big meal.
Much of its character comes from menthol, the compound that gives that cool, tingling freshness. It is the reason a steaming cup of peppermint has traditionally been used to help clear a stuffy head, and why it feels so good on a hot day.
A gentle note: peppermint does not suit everyone. If you are prone to reflux or heartburn, it may make things worse. And if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or taking medication, have a chat with us or your practitioner first.
Grow your own
Peppermint is wonderfully easy to grow, almost too easy. Left in a garden bed it will happily take over, so a pot by the back door is the way to go. It loves moist soil, a little afternoon shade and a regular trim.
For the best flavour, pick your leaves in the morning, just before the plant starts to flower. That is when the oils are at their most fragrant.
Three simple ways to enjoy it
Iced. Steep a heaped teaspoon of dried leaf, or a small handful of fresh, in a cup of just boiled water for five to ten minutes. Cool, pour over ice and add a slice of lemon.
After dinner. A warm cup after your evening meal, sipped slowly. Bonus points if you take it outside.
Foot soak. Brew a strong pot, let it cool, and add it to a basin of cool water. Tired feet after a long day on them will thank you.
Where to find it
You will find peppermint as a single herb and in our curated tea blends, prepared by hand in store at Shop 4/40 Station Street, Bowral, and online.
- Peppermint Leaf Organic 50g
- After Dinner Herbal Tea
- Unwind Tea, with peppermint, lemon balm, ginger, rosehips and rose petals
- Cold and Flu Tea, with yarrow, elderflower and peppermint
- Tea Tester Pack, choose any three to try
Warmly,
Pernilla
This article shares traditional herbal knowledge for general interest and is not medical advice.
