Peppermint Scientific name: Mentha piperita

Geographic Range & Biome Indigenous to Europe and Asia Naturalized in North America Often found near streams and other wet areas Mostly found in moist temperate biomes, most commonly the Evergreen forest biome, which consists of mainly evergreen trees that maintain green foliage all year round in the equatorial region between the tropics

Role in the Ecosystem While peppermint offers many medicinal, cosmetic, and food benefits and uses, it does not play a great role in the ecosystem. An ecological value includes providing nectar for organisms such as honeybees.

Treatment Soothes upset stomach and aids digestion by improving the flow of bile Calming, numbing effect used to treat headaches, nausea, diarrhea, menstrual cramps, skin irritation, flatulence, and anxiety related to depression Ingredient in chest rubs to cure common cold; kills some types of bacteria, fungi, and viruses in a test tube, so it may have antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral traits Improves indigestion & Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) by helping to treat pain, bloating, gas, and diarrhea

Chemical Compounds & How They Work in the Body Methyl salicylate & Menthol (a volatile oil) is found in the leaves and stems- used for medicine, cosmetics, and flavoring food antispasmodic effects & calming effects on gastrointestinal tract

How Peppermint Reproduces Peppermint is a hybrid between Mentha aquatica (water mint) and Mentha spicata (spearmint). Peppermint is sterile but its seeds are fertile. The seeds may reproduce by vegetatively spreading its rhizomes, which are horizontal plant stems that grow underground; roots grow off these rhizomes Since peppermint is unable to self- reproduce, it must be propagated through division, cuttings, or ground layering

How Peppermint is Prepared Peppermint Tea- prepared from dried leaves of the plant Peppermint Oil- need fresh peppermint leaves, glass jar with tight lid, and carrier oil or olive oil Wash the leaves, then crush or chop them, releasing their natural oil Put them in a jar and pour the carrier oil, ensuring the oil completely covers the leaves Seal the jar and wait 24 hours Afterwards, strain the oil and add more chopped peppermint leaves and oil, and reseal Repeat these steps for five days Lastly, remove the peppermint by straining and pour the oil into a separate container, storing in a cool place This peppermint oil then can be used for relieving stomach problems, benefiting the respiratory system, relieving pain, inducing cancer-related treatments, treating herpes, improving hair and skin, bettering dental health, and comforting stress and nervous system issues

Works Cited "Evergreen Forest." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, n.d. Web. 09 June "Peppermint." - Habitat & Adaptation. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 June "Peppermint." - New World Encyclopedia. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 June "Peppermint." Bioweb. Sitename.com, n.d. Web. 9 June "Peppermint Oil: A Potent Oil with the Power of Menthol." Mercola.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 9 June 2016.