Mentha spicata, Mentha × piperita · Mint family (Lamiaceae)
Hi, I'm Mint! Take a sniff — I'm the fresh, cool one in your tea!
Peppermint may calm a crampy tummy. Scientists tested special peppermint oil capsules in grown-ups with a sensitive tummy. Mint tea after a meal is an old tradition too.
🟡 Scientists think so
Some grown-ups dab a little peppermint oil on their forehead when they have a headache. It feels cool. This is only for grown-ups.
🟡 Scientists think so
Smelling peppermint may help some people feel less sick to their tummy, for example during strong hospital treatments.
🟡 Scientists think so
The strong smell of mint can make a stuffy nose feel clearer. Mint rubs are not for little kids.
🔵 Grandma's wisdom
For kids OK in normal food Pills, powders & oils: ask a grown-up first
Fresh mint in food and a cup of mild mint tea are fine for most kids. Tip: ask for less sugar in your tea! Mint oil is only for grown-ups, and never on a baby's face.
⛔ Avoid
Mint oil must never go near a baby's or a little kid's face. It can make it hard for them to breathe.
⛔ Avoid
Never drink or lick drops of mint oil from a bottle. It is super strong.
⚠️ Ask a doctor first
Lots of mint can give some people a burning feeling in their chest.
⚠️ Ask a doctor first
People with gallstones should ask a doctor before using a lot of mint.
👀 Be careful
Mint in food and tea is fine for mums expecting a baby. Strong mint medicines need a doctor's OK.
👀 Be careful
Mums feeding a baby should ask before using mint oil, and keep it away from the baby's face.
👀 Be careful
A few people get an itchy rash from mint oil on their skin.
Natural does not always mean safe. Always ask a grown-up before trying something new, and a doctor or pharmacist before taking any supplement. Try the safety check →
Mint is a small green herb with a fresh, cool smell. Rub a leaf and sniff your fingers! There are many kinds. Spearmint is the one in Moroccan mint tea. Peppermint is the one in many sweets and toothpastes.
Mint grows so fast that it can take over a whole garden. That is why people often keep it in pots.
🔵 Grandma's wisdom — not proven by science
Mint feels cool, but it is not cold! Its menthol The natural stuff in mint that makes your mouth feel cool and fresh. tricks the cold-feeling nerves in your mouth.
Peppermint is a mix of two other mints: water mint and spearmint.
In Morocco, mint tea is poured from high up to make a little crown of bubbles on top.
Mint spreads with runners under the ground, so one small plant can fill a garden bed!
💡 Keep mint in its own pot, or it will take over the garden!
Answer 3 questions. Get 2 right to win this plant’s badge for your garden!
What makes mint feel cool in your mouth?
Menthol tricks the cold-feeling nerves in your mouth. The leaf is not really cold.
Which mint is used in Moroccan mint tea?
Spearmint (nana) is the classic mint for Moroccan tea.
Why must mint oil never go near a baby's face?
The menthol in mint oil can affect how babies and little kids breathe.
🏅 You earned the Mint badge!
Almost! Read the page again and retry — you can do it! 💪
Print it, cut it out and collect them all!
Mentha spicata, Mentha × piperita
Tummy & digestion
Aches & swelling
Feeling sick (nausea)
🤩 Mint feels cool, but it is not cold! Its menthol tricks the cold-feeling nerves in your mouth.
General information, not medical advice. Talk to a doctor or pharmacist before using any herbal supplement — especially during pregnancy or breastfeeding, for children, before surgery, or if you take medicines. Medical disclaimer
| Use | Evidence | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Tummy & digestion | 🟡 Some evidence (small human studies) | In a 2022 meta-analysis of 10 randomised trials (1,030 patients with irritable bowel syndrome), peppermint oil capsules improved overall symptoms and abdominal pain more than placebo, with more — mostly mild — side effects such as reflux[3]. The EU herbal committee accepts oral peppermint oil for belly cramps, wind and pain, especially in IBS (well-established use, not under 8 years)[2]. Peppermint leaf tea for indigestion and wind is recognised only as a traditional use, from 4 years[4]. |
| Aches & swelling | 🟡 Some evidence (small human studies) | A study found that 10% peppermint oil in ethanol, rubbed on the forehead and temples, reduced tension-headache intensity; the EU herbal committee accepts this use for adults only (not under 18)[2]. NCCIH describes the evidence as limited[1]. |
| Feeling sick (nausea) | 🟡 Some evidence (small human studies) | A small amount of research, including a 2024 review of aromatherapy studies, suggests that inhaling peppermint oil can reduce nausea and vomiting during cancer chemotherapy[1]. |
| Colds & coughs | 🔵 Traditional use (not scientifically confirmed) | Relief of cough and cold symptoms with inhaled or chest-rub peppermint oil is recognised as traditional use only; these products must not be used under 2 years and are not recommended from 2 to 11 years[2]. |
Not a recommendation. Not for children unless a doctor says so. Products differ a lot — follow the label and your health professional.
✅ Reviewed by sm_owner on September 26, 2026.
Last updated September 25, 2026. How we write and check our pages
Natural does not always mean safe. Always ask a grown-up before trying something new, and a doctor or pharmacist before taking any supplement. 
How people use it
In the kitchen
Traditional uses
On skin & body
Home & garden
Fun facts
