Characteristics

Peppermint is a herbaceous plant. Growing between 30 and 90 cm high, peppermint is a frost-resistant perennial that has shallow roots and develops numerous underground and above-ground runners. The stems are slightly to heavily hairy, only sparsely branched, and sometimes covered with a reddish tint.

The leaves are arranged oppositely in pairs, elongated-oval to lance-shaped, coarsely serrated along the edges, and often marked with violet veins. The pink to lilac-colored flowers, which appear from July to September, grow in terminal spikes. The black and bluish-purple flowers are interrupted at the base and positioned at the ends of the stems.

Medicinal Effects

This culinary and medicinal herb is rich in essential oils with a high menthol content. Menthol gives peppermint its anti-inflammatory, calming, and pain-relieving properties.

Peppermint tea helps relieve cold symptoms and is also effective against stomach pain, nausea, and digestive problems.