Extracted by steam distillation from the leaves and from the flowers of Mentha suaveolens Ehrh. 'Variegata' (mint variegata, mint mela variegata, pineapple mint), cultivar ornamental of the mint mela of the Lamiaceae, cultivated mainly as plant from giardino decorative for the fogliame green-cream sfumato. The phytochemical profile is dominated by piperitenone-ossido (40-70%), with piperitenone, pulegone and piperitone — ketones monoterpenic with modesta activity mentholated but with antiseptic properties, spasmolitic and antiviral proprie. The piperitenone ossido has dimostrato in vitro activity inibitoria on the virus of the flu TO. The mint variegata has a fragrance less penetrating and more sweet-fruity compared to the peppermint, with sfumature quasi of mela — from which the name popolare 'pineapple mint'. In aromatherapy it is used as antiseptic respiratory sweet and antispasmodic, digestive and carminative, as component aromatic fresh but not aggressive in the diffuser and in cosmetics. Recommended for people intollerant to the menthol. Top note sweet-mentolata, fruity and lievely phenolic.

Southern Europe and central; cultivated in Italy, France and Spain.

Leaves and flowering tops

Steam distillation

• Antiseptic: antibacterial and antiseptic, useful against stomatiti, afte and infections orali.
• Digestive: carminative and stomachic; relieves nausea, gonfiore and cramps digestive.
• Expectorant: thins the secretions bronchial and facilitates the respiration.
• Antipiretico: febbrifugo, useful on states influenzal and fever.
• Cosmesi: cooling and purifying, used in products for the igiene oral and the care of the hair.

Blends well with: