Peppermint (Mentha piperita L.): Phytochemistry, Pharmacological Properties, and Medicinal Applications
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.69760/lumin.2026002003Keywords:
Mentha piperita, peppermint, menthol, essential oil, pharmacological properties, medicinal plants, Nakhchivan, phytotherapyAbstract
Peppermint (Mentha piperita L.) is a perennial herbaceous plant of the family Lamiaceae widely cultivated in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic of Azerbaijan and used extensively in both scientific and traditional medicine. This article provides a comprehensive review of the botanical characteristics, phytochemical composition, pharmacological properties, and medicinal applications of peppermint, with particular reference to its cultivation and use in the Nakhchivan region. The plant’s essential oil, whose principal active component is menthol (40–60%), confers a broad spectrum of therapeutic activities including analgesic, antispasmodic, choleretic, antiseptic, sedative, and antihypertensive effects. Galenical preparations derived from peppermint leaves — infusions, tinctures, and essential oil formulations — are indicated in the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders, inflammatory diseases of the upper respiratory tract, migraine, angina pectoris, and various neurological conditions. The article also reviews a range of complex pharmaceutical preparations containing menthol as an active ingredient. Particular attention is paid to contraindications and dosing precautions, especially for paediatric patients. The review draws on published pharmacognostic, phytochemical, and pharmacological literature to consolidate current knowledge and identify the continuing relevance of peppermint as a medicinal plant resource in the regional context.
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