These are the everyday prep instructions for Peppermint — covered once here so each use case below can focus on what's specific to that purpose.
Peppermint contains menthol — a cooling compound that eases tension headaches and calms an irritated belly. It's been the after-meal digestive tea across the Middle East, North Africa, and Europe.
1 tsp dried per cup; 1 tbsp fresh
What to look for when buying: Whole leaves, tea, and fresh.
The general prep above applies to every use below. These cards explain what Peppermint supports, why it works for each purpose, and what to notice.
Brew a cup of tea and sip slowly after meals.
Digestive herbs gently relax the muscles of your gut and stimulate the digestive juices that break food down. The classic European post-meal tea ritual — chamomile, peppermint, fennel — exists for a reason.
Peppermint is best known for digestion. Brew a cup of tea and sip slowly after meals.
Peppermint can be prepared as tea, infusion, tincture, culinary, and steam. For leaves and flowers, an infusion (steep in just-boiled water, covered) is best. For roots, barks, and seeds, a decoction (simmer for 20–30 minutes) is needed to extract the actives. Tinctures and capsules are convenient when you don't want to brew.
1 tsp dried per cup; 1 tbsp fresh
Peppermint is sold as whole leaves, tea, and fresh. Whole dried herb is the most economical and lets you brew tea; tincture is convenient for daily use and travel; capsules are easiest if you don't like the taste.
Airtight; dried 1 yr
Peppermint can be used around pets with caution. Avoid near eyes/face; small amounts okay
Leaves; USA, Europe
In traditional herbal systems like Ayurveda and Chinese medicine, Peppermint is considered cool and dry. Energetics describe how an herb feels in the body — cooling or warming, drying or moistening. They help match the herb to the person and the season.
Leaves; USA, Europe
Active compound: menthol — a cooling compound that eases tension headaches and calms an irritated belly.
Tradition: the after-meal digestive tea across the Middle East, North Africa, and Europe.
Energetics: Cool, dry.
Common forms: Whole leaves, tea, fresh.
Preparation methods: Tea, Infusion, Tincture, Culinary, Steam.
Dosage: 1 tsp dried per cup; 1 tbsp fresh
Airtight; dried 1 yr
Avoid in GERD/heartburn (relaxes esophageal sphincter); avoid for infants
Avoid near eyes/face; small amounts okay
