Peppermint essential oil contains an essential oil consisting mainly of the secondary alcohol menthol (50/60 %) and the ketone menthone (9/12 %), to which esterified menthol, pulegone and other terpene derivatives, bitter substances and resins are added. Peppermint has various therapeutic properties, in particular it has an expectorant effect, and menthol can also be used as an anesthetic.
Peppermint is a perennial herbaceous plant with rhizomatous roots that burrow deep into the soil. It is a polymorphic genus, i.e. its appearance varies greatly depending on the species.
