Peppermint extract
Encyclopedia
Peppermint extract is an herbal extract
of peppermint
(Mentha x piperita) made from the essential oils of peppermint leaves. It is commonly used in cooking
, as a dietary supplement
, and as an herbal or alternative medicine
. The liquid is obtained by extracting
the oils from dried or fresh leaves and the flowering tops of the plant using alcohol
. It is commonly sold in 1 oz. or 4 oz. bottles.
, particularly candy canes, mints
, and peppermint patties. Extracts for cooking may be labeled as pure, natural, imitation, or artificial. While pure and natural extracts contain peppermint oil specifically, imitation and artificial extracts generally use a mix of ingredients to achieve a flavor resembling peppermint.
Peppermint extract can be substituted in recipes with peppermint oil (a stronger ingredient primarily used in candy-making), crème de menthe
, or peppermint schnapps
. Please note: if the recipe does not call for heating, the alcoholic properties
of liqueurs may remain present in the finished product.
Peppermint extract may also be mixed with boiling water to create “peppermint tea
, a hot minty beverage. ”
and the flu, and as a digestive aid
which may relieve bloating
and flatulence
. It may also be used to aid in the relief of pain from menstrual cramp and tension headaches. Because of its cooling properties, it may also relieve itching when applied topical
ly.
Additionally, peppermint extract is believed to have antiviral
and medicinal properties which may help in the treatment of herpes and the disintegration of gallstones.
Herbal extract
Tincture is a liquid solution of herbs and a fluid menstruum, usually ethanol. The dried or fresh herbs are combined with alcohol, then the solid matter is removed leaving only the oils of the herbs mixed with the alcohol...
of peppermint
Peppermint
Peppermint is a hybrid mint, a cross between the watermint and spearmint . The plant, indigenous to Europe, is now widespread in cultivation throughout all regions of the world...
(Mentha x piperita) made from the essential oils of peppermint leaves. It is commonly used in cooking
Cooking
Cooking is the process of preparing food by use of heat. Cooking techniques and ingredients vary widely across the world, reflecting unique environmental, economic, and cultural traditions. Cooks themselves also vary widely in skill and training...
, as a dietary supplement
Dietary supplement
A dietary supplement, also known as food supplement or nutritional supplement, is a preparation intended to supplement the diet and provide nutrients, such as vitamins, minerals, fiber, fatty acids, or amino acids, that may be missing or may not be consumed in sufficient quantities in a person's diet...
, and as an herbal or alternative medicine
Alternative medicine
Alternative medicine is any healing practice, "that does not fall within the realm of conventional medicine." It is based on historical or cultural traditions, rather than on scientific evidence....
. The liquid is obtained by extracting
Liquid-liquid extraction
Liquid–liquid extraction, also known as solvent extraction and partitioning, is a method to separate compounds based on their relative solubilities in two different immiscible liquids, usually water and an organic solvent. It is an extraction of a substance from one liquid phase into another liquid...
the oils from dried or fresh leaves and the flowering tops of the plant using alcohol
Alcohol
In chemistry, an alcohol is an organic compound in which the hydroxy functional group is bound to a carbon atom. In particular, this carbon center should be saturated, having single bonds to three other atoms....
. It is commonly sold in 1 oz. or 4 oz. bottles.
Uses in cooking
Peppermint extract can be used to add a peppermint flavor to baked goods, desserts, and candyCandy
Candy, specifically sugar candy, is a confection made from a concentrated solution of sugar in water, to which flavorings and colorants are added...
, particularly candy canes, mints
Mint (candy)
A mint is a candy characterized by the presence of mint flavoring or real mint oil, whether it be peppermint oil, spearmint oil, or another natural or artificial source...
, and peppermint patties. Extracts for cooking may be labeled as pure, natural, imitation, or artificial. While pure and natural extracts contain peppermint oil specifically, imitation and artificial extracts generally use a mix of ingredients to achieve a flavor resembling peppermint.
Peppermint extract can be substituted in recipes with peppermint oil (a stronger ingredient primarily used in candy-making), crème de menthe
Crème de menthe
Crème de menthe is a sweet, mint-flavored alcoholic beverage. Its flavor is primarily derived from Corsican mint. It is available commercially in a colorless and a green version...
, or peppermint schnapps
Schnapps
Schnapps is a type of distilled alcoholic beverage. The English word schnapps is derived from the German Schnaps , which can refer to any strong alcoholic drink but particularly those containing at least 32% ABV...
. Please note: if the recipe does not call for heating, the alcoholic properties
Alcohol
In chemistry, an alcohol is an organic compound in which the hydroxy functional group is bound to a carbon atom. In particular, this carbon center should be saturated, having single bonds to three other atoms....
of liqueurs may remain present in the finished product.
Peppermint extract may also be mixed with boiling water to create “peppermint tea
Peppermint tea
Peppermint tea is a tisane of peppermint, Mentha piperita. It is sometimes called mint tea. It is naturally caffeine-free. A tea made from blending peppermint and spearmint leaves is referred to as doublemint tea.-Health benefits and concerns:...
, a hot minty beverage. ”
Medicinal uses
Though the medicinal uses of peppermint extract are not indisputably documented, its possible applications are extensive. Peppermint extract is commonly used to soothe symptoms of the common coldCommon cold
The common cold is a viral infectious disease of the upper respiratory system, caused primarily by rhinoviruses and coronaviruses. Common symptoms include a cough, sore throat, runny nose, and fever...
and the flu, and as a digestive aid
Digestion
Digestion is the mechanical and chemical breakdown of food into smaller components that are more easily absorbed into a blood stream, for instance. Digestion is a form of catabolism: a breakdown of large food molecules to smaller ones....
which may relieve bloating
Bloating
Bloating is any abnormal general swelling, or increase in diameter of the abdominal area. As a symptom, the patient feels a full and tight abdomen, which may cause abdominal pain sometimes accompanied by increased borborygmus or more seriously the total lack of borborygmus.-Symptoms:The most common...
and flatulence
Flatulence
Flatulence is the expulsion through the rectum of a mixture of gases that are byproducts of the digestion process of mammals and other animals. The medical term for the mixture of gases is flatus, informally known as a fart, or simply gas...
. It may also be used to aid in the relief of pain from menstrual cramp and tension headaches. Because of its cooling properties, it may also relieve itching when applied topical
Topical
In medicine, a topical medication is applied to body surfaces such as the skin or mucous membranes such as the vagina, anus, throat, eyes and ears.Many topical medications are epicutaneous, meaning that they are applied directly to the skin...
ly.
Additionally, peppermint extract is believed to have antiviral
Antiviral drug
Antiviral drugs are a class of medication used specifically for treating viral infections. Like antibiotics for bacteria, specific antivirals are used for specific viruses...
and medicinal properties which may help in the treatment of herpes and the disintegration of gallstones.