Peppermint exists as an escaped specimen crossed between two “true” mint species — spearmint and watermint. Nevertheless, the herb has a prolific global reach and a history of use that began in ancient Egypt, Greece and Rome.
The leaf of this plant contains a volatile oil that consists of up to 70% menthol and menthol esters. In addition to providing mint flavor to natural dental products, cough syrups and throat lozenges, peppermint extracts and tinctures lend that "icy hot" quality to a number of topical products, such as Ben Gay® and Vicks Vapo-Rub®.
