The Natural Health Benefits of Peppermint

Peppermint is a hybrid between spearmint and watermint and native to Europe, it is grown commercially and wild in the United States. Scientifically classified as Mentha x piperita, it is a sterile plant that procreates by rooting. The stems can grow to 70 centimeters high having dark green leaves and bears small purple flowers.

Peppermint has been called the world's oldest medicine, with archeological evidence showing peppermint use as far back as ten-thousand years ago. It is first mentioned in "modern" medicine in the 1700's. In an 1801 issue of The American Herbal, Samuel Stern said, "It is a stimulant. It restores the functions of the stomach, promotes digestion, stops vomiting, cures the hiccups, flatulent colic, hysterical depressions, and other like complaints." Its high menthol content is often used in the culinary world as flavoring. The peppermint oil also contains menthone and menthyl esters used by the candy, soap, and shampoo industries.

Peppermint is known in the alternative medical world for a variety of uses. Its most predominate ingredient, menthol, has calming and soothing therapeutic value. It is commonly used for treating symptoms of the common cold and cough.

Peppermint can be ingested by tea, capsule, ointment, cream or oil. To create a peppermint tea, dry the flowers and leaves and steep for 10 minutes. It can be consumed to treat digestion problems or upset stomach. Many drink peppermint tea after a meal to assist in digestion.

Peppermint oil is cooling and refreshing. It is used in aromatherapy to help fight fatigue and depression. It can also be good therapy for apathy, headache, migraine headaches, and stress as well as sinus congestion, dry coughs, asthma, bronchitis and other upper respiratory issues.

The oil can be rubbed on temples and forehead to treat headaches. It is popular as a massage and bath oil assisting in the relief of cramps, back pain, inflamed bowel disorders, constipation, coughs, diarrhea, nausea, rheumatism, and irritated or inflammatory skin conditions.

When in a cream or lotion, it can help alleviate the sting of a sunburn, reduce the redness and inflamed skin, while cooling the skin because of its vasoconstrictor properties.

Peppermint oil is non-toxic and a non-irritant when diluted properly, but some individuals may be sensitive to the high menthol content. Remember that natural therapies and herbal medicines should be used adjunctively or complementary to traditional medical treatment. Self-treating serious ailments can be dangerous and possibly life threatening. Always seek out medical assistance when it is needed.

References

Janet C. Maccaro, Natural Health Remedies: An A-Z Family Guide, Siloam Press, 2003

Amy Rost, Natural Healing Wisdom & Know How: Useful Practices, Recipes, and Formulas for a Lifetime of Health, Black Dog & Leventhal Publishing, 2009.