Its dense spikes of violet flowers bloom in late summer. Peppermint is a hybrid of water mint and spearmint and was first cultivated near London in 1750. Peppermint grows almost everywhere. The two main cultivated forms are the black mint, which has violet-colored leaves and stems and a relatively high oil content, and the white mint, which has pure green leaves and a milder taste. Dried peppermint leaf is used in herb teas, either on its own or in mixtures.
Peppermint tea is regarded as a stimulant, a cure for flatulence and has antiseptic properties.
It is used in treating indigestion, sore throats, colds and toothache, among others. Peppermint, and other herbal teas are being consumed in increasing quantities by the general population purely for enjoyment rather than for their medicinal activity. The herb is cut just before flowering, from the end of July to the end of August. Peppermint is a powerful diffusive stimulant, antispasmodic, carminative, stomachic, and weak anodyne. It undoubtedly possesses marked antiseptic properties.