The effect of Mentha piperita L. on the mental health issues of university students: A pilot study

• Published in: Journal of pharmacy & pharmacognosy research Vol. 9; no. 1; pp. 49 - 57
• Main Author: Abdelhalim, Abeer R.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: GarVal Editorial Ltda 01-01-2021
• Subjects: anxiety; memory; peppermint; pilot study; sleep quality; stress
• ISSN: 0719-4250; 0719-4250
• DOI: 10.56499/jppres20.932_9.1.49

Context: Stress, sleep disorders, and anxiety are common mental health problems affecting many university students. Peppermint, as a traditional herb, may be used as an alternative to stimulant drugs with less adverse effects to deal with mental health problems of the students. Aims: To evaluate the impact of oral Mentha piperita (peppermint) on self-reported memory performance, anxiety, stress, and the quality of sleep in science students at Taibah University. Methods: Eligible participating students were allocated either to the experimental group or the control group. The experimental group was asked to drink either an infusion of fresh aerial parts of peppermint once a day for four weeks, and the control group asked not to drink any peppermint or any other herbs during the study (no treatment). Anxiety, stress, memory performance, and sleep quality of the participating student were assessed by self-reported questionnaires before and after the peppermint treatment. Anxiety in the students was assessed by the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, memory performance was evaluated using the Prospective and Retrospective Memory questionnaire and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index was used to assess the sleep quality and patterns in students. Results: The scores of all the scales and subscales of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, Prospective and Retrospective Memory, and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index were significantly decreased in the peppermint group in comparison with the control group after four weeks. Conclusions: Peppermint appears to significantly enhance memory, reduce anxiety and stress, and improve the sleep quality of university students.