Peppermint: The Chuck Norris of Herbs

Most of us, when we think of peppermint, picture candy canes and complimentary mints that restaurants give you after you eat, but there is so much more to peppermint than Christmas time and fresh breath. In fact, peppermint is a very strong and useful herb; from its leaves to its oil, and even to its very scent, peppermint can relieve a variety of ailments. You could even say that it's the Chuck Norris of medicinal herbs.

Peppermint Components.

What makes peppermint kick the sorry butts of so many health issues is its abundance of menthol, vitamins C and A, and a variety of other nutrients. Although it produces flowers, the parts of the peppermint plant that are used most are the stem and the leaves. Now, what exactly is menthol and what makes it so awesome? Menthol is a common component in many cough and pain medicines, and it's responsible for that cool, fresh feeling you get in your mouth whenever you have a mint. So the fact that peppermint contains so much of this stuff makes it pack quite a punch behind the exterior of its alluring scent. Of course, the menthol is punching colds and pains, not you.

Peppermint Leaves.

Peppermint leaves can be brewed into an aromatic tea that's great for colds. Breathing in the steam as the tea cools will sooth a sore throat immediately. In addition, the leaves can be used to treat indigestion, irritable bowel syndrome, abdominal cramps, and an array of other stomach-related and digestion ailments.

Peppermint Oil.

The oil is perhaps the most important part of the peppermint plant. That's where all the menthol is. A lot of what peppermint oil does involves relaxing certain organs in order for things to pass through.

Peppermint oil is often used as a coating for pills that treat Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). According to an article by the Harvard University Medical School, one way that the menthol in the oil is beneficial to those with IBS is that is "blocks calcium channels, which has the effect of relaxing the 'smooth' muscles in the walls of the intestines." So, there it is keeping out what you don't want so your discomfort can be relieved. However, if you have heartburn issues, peppermint oil will only make it worse because it "relaxes the sphincter that keeps the contents of the stomach from backing up into your esophagus," so it's best to keep away from it. The good thing is that these days, many pills with peppermint oil in them are coated so that they won't break down until they pass through the stomach, solving the problem entirely.

In addition to IBS, peppermint oil helps with indigestion and bloating in very much the same way.

Other Uses For Peppermint.

Topical forms of peppermint can help relieve itching and skin irritation. There are even some cases where it was used to relieve headaches. Some studies note that perillyl alcohol, which is found in peppermint oil, stopped cancerous growths when tested on animals. Peppermint oil can even kill bacteria such as salmonella and e-coli. Growing peppermint around your house can prevent ants from making their way inside. The scent dissuades them from even trying.

Personally, I'll never look at peppermint the same way again. From the way it can divide colds and pains by zero to the way it roundhouse kicks itching and headaches, peppermint is, in my opinion, the Chuck Norris of herbs. It's awesome as both a delicious flavoring and an ingredient for fighting an array of ailments. Whatever you need, peppermint can help you out somehow.

Sources:

University of Maryland Medical Center, "Peppermint" http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/peppermint-000269.htm

Mrs. M. Grieve, "Mints," Botanical.com http://botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/m/mints-39.html#pepmed

National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, "Herbs at a glance: peppermint oil," http://nccam.nih.gov/health/peppermintoil/

The World's Healthiest Foods, "Peppermint," http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=102

Chet Day, "The Health Benefits of Peppermint," Health and Beyond Online, http://chetday.com/benefitofpeppermint.htm

Nancy Ferrari, "Healthbeat: Health Benefits of Peppermint," Harvard Health Publications, http://www.health.harvard.edu/healthbeat/HEALTHbeat_073107.htm

Elements 4 Health, "The Health Benefits of Peppermint," http://www.elements4health.com/peppermint-health-benefits.html