Peppermint Essential Oil (Mentha piperita): from Extraction to Proof of its Quality.

Abstract

Mentha piperita, popularly known as peppermint, is a medicinal plant that has chemical compounds responsible for several therapeutic activities and, therefore, for its use to be effective, in natura or through essential oil, it is essential to prove of its authenticity and quality. Knowing this, this work aimed to evaluate everything from its morphoanatomy to its quality control in comparison to commercially available essential oils. The analyzes and extractions were carried out in accordance with the techniques described by the Brazilian pharmacopoeia and other literature. At the end of all the analyses, it was possible to prove the veracity of the species in question, extract the essential oil and use it to approve the quality control offered to some oils sold in our country.