Peppermint a medicinal herb and treasure of health: A review

Abstract

High demand for aromatic herbs in the sectors of biotechnology, cosmetics, medicinal and food industries has enhanced their market values. Peppermint (Mentha piperita L.) is a prominent medicinal herb and largely acknowledged by medicinal and food processing industries due to its excellent health benefits. Though it is used as a flavoring agent in foods, they are mostly recognized in the world for their antimicrobial and antioxidant features. Peppermint oil and its other by-products are generally used for candies, teas, mouth freshener, toothpaste, beverages, alcoholic liqueurs, jellies, syrups, ice creams, cough drops, chewing gums, confectioneries, soaps, detergents, and mosquito repellents. It is a highly perishable and seasonal plant, therefore, it needs to be dried and make it available throughout the entire year. The drying of peppermint mint herbs is targeted to enhance the storage time, minimize the packaging and transport cost. Various studies on drying of mints were collected and analyzed the drying kinetics, to regulate the effect of several drying methods on drying time, drying rate and to improve its quality in terms of color and other characteristics. The present paper reviews the health aids of peppermint such as anti-viral, anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal, anti-asthmatic, allopathic, spasmolytic, anti-headache, anti-septic, and radioactive properties in detailed. Thus, peppermint has a wide scope of future research and studies and needs to be utilized its potential benefits for human prosperity.