Peppermint - Health Benefits
Family: Lamiaceae (mint family).
Common names: Peppermint, lamb mint, brandy mint, balm mint, curled mint, amenta, lammint
Part of Plant Used: Leaves
Origin: Europe, Asia, Mediterranean
Peppermint is a hybrid of spearmint and water mint with a flavor described as “a cross between pepper and chlorophyll.” What’s really interesting about that is that someone actually knows what chlorophyll tastes like. The Greek story of the herb’s origins is rather amusing. Persepheone turned a nymph named Minthe into a plant because her husband Pluto was giving Minthe too much affection. Try as he might, Pluto could not reverse the spell, but he did impart the plant with a wonderful smell so that she would delight the senses. This arousing scent has been used throughout history to clear the air in temples and homes. Middle Eastern hosts still offer mint to their arriving guests as a show of hospitality.
Menthol is the primary component of the essential oil of peppermint.An infusion of green mint is the `national beverage' in Morocco and Tunisia.
Health Benefits
1. Peppermint is used to treat gastric and digestive disorders, as well as tension and insomnia. Randomized clinical trials have shown the ability of the herb to relieve indigestion, dyspepsia, and colonic muscle spasms characteristic of IBS. The menthol contained in the plant is likely responsible for this smooth muscle relaxing ability.
2. Further, peppermint contains perillyl alcohol, a phytonutrient shown in animal studies to stop pancreatic, mammary, liver, colon, skin, and lung tumors. As with so many other herbs, this one is also quite good at stopping numerous bacteria, such as H. pylori, E. coli, and antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Along with being very high in vitamins, peppermint also contains rosmarinic acid, which if you’ll recall from the discussions of oregano and sage, has inhibitory effects on leukotrienes. This acid also stimulates the release of prostacyclins that help to keep airways open.
3. Traditionally, peppermint essential oil has been used to treat indigestion, headaches, colic, gingivitis, irritable bowel syndrome, spasms and rheumatism.
4. This volatile and potent essential has very diverse uses because of its many properties. It relaxes muscles; has antiviral and bactericidal qualities; increases stomach acidity (to aid digestion); is an analgesic and counterirritant; and is a carminative (eases intestinal cramping).
5. The menthol in peppermint soothes the lining of the digestive tract an stimulates the production of bile, which is an essential digestive fluid. A hot cup of herbal tea is an excellent way to settle your stomach after a big meal.
6. There is a very good reason that peppermint is the flavoring of choice for toothpaste. Peppermint is an excellent breath freshener. When using peppermint tea as a breath freshener, increase the effectiveness by adding a pinch of anise, caraway or cinnamon. Mint is also a good remedy for gingivitis.
7. Peppermint is reputed to have the calming, sedative effect.
8. Peppermint and its relatives are mostly known as a medicine and popular herbs for infusions. Menthol vapors are famous for relieving nasal, sinus and chest congestion.
9. Digestion problems/ Nausea/ Excess Gas: One drop of essential oil in a glass of water, or on a sugar cube, taken orally.
10. Tension Headaches: 1-2 drops in carrier oil applied to temples when headache starts and once an hour after, if needed. Some people might find it more effective to apply a drop behind each ear, depending on the type and cause of headache. If the headache is related to digestives problems, also drink a glass of (preferably warm) water with a drop (or 2) of mint oil in it.
11. Mental Fatigue: Mint is a stimulant similar to caffeine, but won't cause jitters. Try a drop at the back of the tongue. Too much at once can be overwhelming; try a SMALL drop first. Mint is also known for lifting the mood, bringing cheer. Also throughout history has been used in cases of hysteria and shock.
12. Mint contains Vitamin C and Vitamin A.
13. Essential peppermint oil is anti-inflammatory, analgesic (pain-reducer), and a counterirritant. Essential oils promote formation of white cells and acts against microbial germs, while being completely harmless to skin tissue. All these factors are at work in healing skin conditions.
Flavor: Mint is another one with about 25 different varieties. There's peppermint, spearmint, chocolate mint, apple mint, and basil mint, just to name a few. And yes, chocolate mint has a chocolatey flavor. It's pretty righteous.
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