Botany
Branched, strongly aromatic herb that stems up to 40 cm long with ascending terminal branches. Leaves are elliptic to oblong-ovate, 1.5 to 2 cms long, short-petioled, toothed margins, rounded or blunt tipped. Hairy purplish to light blue axillary flowers.

Distribution
Introduced by the Spaniards. Widely scattered cultivation in the Philippines.
Thrives well at high elevations; rarely flowers in lowlands.

Chemical constituents and properties
Carminative, stimulant, stomachic, aromatic, antiseptic, antispasmodic, sudorific, emmenagogue.
Plant yields a volatile oil (0.22%) containing pulegone, menthol, menthene, menthenone and limonene.
Oil is rubefacient and stimulant.
Tops and leaves are carminative.

Parts utilized
Leaves and stems

Uses
NUTRITIONAL
Cultivated as a spice for cooking.
FOLKLORIC
One of the oldest household remedies known.
Carminative, stimulant, aromatic, emmenagogue.
Crushed or bruised leaves for insect bites.
Decoction and infusion of leaves and stems used for fever, stomach aches, dysmenorrhea, and diuresis.
Pounded leaves for insect bites, fevers, toothaches, headaches.
For dizziness: Crushed fresh plants or leaves are sniffed.
Powdered dried plant as dentrifice.
Headaches: Crushed leaves are applied on the forehead and temples.
Toothaches: (1) Wet a small piece of cotten with juice expressed from crushed leaves; apply this impregnated cotton bud to the tooth. (2) Boil 6 tbsp. of leaves in two glasses of water for 15 minutes; strain and cool. Divide the decoction into 2 parts and take every 3 to 4 hours.
Flatulence: Boil 4 tbsp of chopped leaves in 1 cup water for five minutes; strain. Drink the decoction while lukewarm. Facilitates expulsion of flatus.
Cough: Boil 6 tbsp of chopped leaves in 2 glasses of water for 15 mins; cool and strain. Divide the decoctioninto three parts; take 1 part 3 times a day.
Arthritis: Warm fresh leaves over low flame; then pound. Apply pounded leaves while warm on the painful joints or muscles.
Mouthwash: Soak 2 tbsp chopped leaves in 1 glass of hot water for 30 minutes; strain. Use the infusion as mouthwash.
OTHERS
Peppermint oil is often used in pharmaceutical preparations to subdue unpleasant medicinal smells.
Common flavoring in confections and dentrifices.
NEW APPLICATION
Analgesic tablet formulation.

Availability
Wild-crafted.
Commercially: Analgesic tablets, tea.