Peppermint Extract

(Mentha piperita)

peppermint leaves

What It Is

Peppermint is a naturally aromatic mint plant that has long been used in food, teas, and herbal preparations. Peppermint extract is derived from the leaves and contains naturally occurring compounds — most notably menthol — which give peppermint its familiar cooling flavour and sensory profile.

Traditional & Culinary Use

Across many food and herbal traditions, peppermint has been enjoyed after meals as a tea or flavouring. It has commonly been used in foods and drinks intended to support digestive comfort, particularly when digestion feels heavy, full, or unsettled.

These uses reflect peppermint’s long-standing role as a familiar, food-based ingredient that feels light, refreshing, and easy to incorporate into daily routines.

What Research Has Explored

Scientific research has explored peppermint and its naturally occurring compounds in relation to digestive physiology. Much of this research has focused on how peppermint interacts with digestive signalling, gastrointestinal movement, and the way sensations within the gut are perceived.

Many clinical studies have examined peppermint oil, a more concentrated form, to better understand these interactions. This research helps build insight into how peppermint’s compounds engage with digestive pathways and sensory mechanisms. In everyday food use, peppermint is valued for these same qualities, expressed in a gentler, food-based context.

How It Interacts With the Body

Peppermint contains menthol and related compounds that interact with receptors involved in sensory perception within the gastrointestinal tract. These interactions are understood to influence digestive signalling and smooth muscle activity, shaping how digestive sensations are experienced.

When consumed as part of foods or beverages, peppermint is generally understood to support digestive comfort through sensory and signalling pathways — working with the body’s natural processes rather than forcing changes in digestive function.

Who Commonly Chooses It

Peppermint is often chosen by people who notice digestive sensitivity, post-meal fullness, or heightened awareness of bloating — particularly those who prefer ingredients that feel cooling, light, and non-stimulating.

It is commonly included in dietary patterns that aim to support digestion gently, using familiar ingredients that feel easy to return to.

Important Context

Peppermint extract is both widely studied and traditionally used, but its effects can vary depending on form, amount, and overall dietary context. Research helps explain how peppermint behaves within the body, rather than predict specific outcomes for any individual.

This ingredient is shared for educational purposes, to support general understanding of peppermint as a food-derived ingredient. 

Research references

For those who wish to explore the research context in more depth:

Supplamize context

Peppermint extract can be selected as an optional active in certain Supplamize blends, including: