164 
MENTHA PIPERITA. 
greenish colour ; the distilled water and spirituous tincture are 
aromatic ; the watery infusion is of a reddish yellow colour, which 
changes to a blackish green by the addition of sulphate of iron. 
The medicinal properties are very inconsiderable ; it is slightly 
aromatic and carminative, and chiefly used in the form of the dis- 
tilled water as a vehicle for more active medicine ; the infusion of 
the herb forms a cooling drink in febrile disorders. This species of 
mint is in general use as a culinary pot-herb. The essential oil com- 
bined with from three to six parts of rectified spirit forms the 
essence of mint, used for flavouring sauces, &c. where the fresh herb 
cannot be procured. 
Off-. The Plant. 
Off". Pp. Atqua Menthae Viridis, L. E. 
Infusum Menthze Compositum, D. 
Oleum Menthee Viridis, L. D. 
Spiritus Menthae Viridis, L. 
Class DiDYNAMiA. — Order Gymnospermia. 
Nat. Ord. VERXiciLLAXiE, Linn. Labiate, Juss. 
Gen. Char. Corolla not quite equal, 4-lobed. Stamens erect, 
spreading. 
Spec. Char. Spikes blunt, interrupted below. Leaves ovate, 
petioled. Stamens shorter than the corolla. 
Peppermint is an indigenous plant, but like the spearmint it 
is rather a rare native; in its wild state it is usually found in moist 
places, hence it is occasionally met with on the banks of rivers: but 
for medicinal purposes, it is cultivated iji large quantities in the 
Fig. a. represents the corolla magnified, and cut open to shew the stamina, b. 
The pistiilum. c. The calyx. 
MENTHA PIPERITA. 
Peppermint.* 
