The Biobrio 13(1 & 2), 2026

Ethnomedicinal uses and pharmacological potential of Mentha species: From traditional knowledge to modern therapeutics

Brahmanand Kumar & Arpana Sinha

ABSTRACT:

Mentha species (family Lamiaceae) are aromatic medicinal plants widely used in traditional medicine due to their rich content of essential oils, phenolics, flavonoids and terpenoids. They have been traditionally employed to treat gastrointestinal, respiratory, microbial, dermatological, and neurological disorders. Scientific studies have demonstrated their antioxidant, antiinflammatory, antimicrobial, antidiabetic, anticancer and neuroprotective activities. This review summarizes the ethnomedicinal uses, pharmacological properties, and therapeutic potential of Mentha species, highlighting their importance as promising natural resources for pharmaceutical and nutraceutical applications.

Keywords:    

Mentha, ethnomedicine, pharmacology, medicinal plants, menthol

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