Peppermint is a perennial herb of the mint family. Farmers grow it for the fragrant oil produced in its leaves. Peppermint oil is a popular flavoring for candy, and it adds a pleasant taste to many medicines, mouthwashes, and toothpastes. Some medicines for toothaches and colic contain peppermint. Menthol, used in medicines for colds and coughs, is made from peppermint oil. It causes a sensation of coolness in the mouth.
The peppermint plant grows 1 to 3 feet (30 to 91 centimeters) high and bears smooth, sharply pointed, oval leaves and small, purplish flowers. The plant grows best in moist soil containing a large amount of decayed plant matter. Peppermint was developed by crossbreeding the water mint and spearmint plants.
Peppermint originated in Europe, and the early English colonists brought it to North America. Today, most of the peppermint produced in the United States comes from Oregon and Washington. Idaho, Indiana, and Wisconsin also produce the mint. Peppermint also grows in Britain and other European countries. The oil is extracted from the peppermint plant by steam distillation.
