Ingredient
Peppermint Leaf (Mentha × piperita)
What is Peppermint Leaf (Mentha × piperita)?
Peppermint leaf comes from the peppermint plant, a hybrid mint that is a cross between watermint and spearmint. It is typically harvested, dried, and crushed to be used in various applications.
Peppermint leaf is frequently used for its distinctive minty flavor, commonly in teas and other beverages. It also has been studied for potential health benefits such as aiding digestion and soothing headaches, although scientific results are mixed.
When seeing peppermint leaf on a label, it is usually an indication of natural flavoring. For most people, it is a generally well-tolerated ingredient when consumed in typical quantities.
Commonly found in: Tea, Herbal Supplements, Essential Oils, Dentifrices, Confectioneries
Benefits
- May aid in digestive comfort.
- Contains compounds thought to relieve headaches.
Peppermint leaf is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) for use in foods by the US FDA.
Evidence suggests peppermint leaf may offer some health benefits, though results are not universally conclusive.
Peppermint leaf is plant-derived and suitable for vegan diets.
Sources: Peppermint Oil
Scout's take
Peppermint contains menthol and rosmarinic acid. Multiple RCTs support its use for IBS symptom relief (Khanna et al. 2014 meta-analysis) and tension headache. Caffeine-free and well-tolerated.
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