Last time we chatted about all the various uses for Lavender. Now, we’re talking about the next most versatile garden herb: Peppermint. This member of the mint family is sooo much more than simply a tasty flavoring for toothpaste and breath mints. Did you know it has all kinds of amazing medicinal benefits as well? Keep reading to learn more!
The History of Peppermint
A natural hybrid of water mint and spearmint, herbalists first cultivated peppermint (Mentha piperita L.) in England in the late 1800s. This plant is well known for its positive influence on indigestion. In fact, many ancient Greeks and Romans used peppermint to ease an upset stomach, nausea, vomiting, morning sickness, and much more. Peppermint is still widely used today for a variety of health purposes, and its uses continue to grow with advanced scientific study.
Peppermint is a perennial herb that grows widely in Europe, North America, and Asia. This prolific plant grows close to the ground, up to about a foot tall. As a member of the broader mint family, it has squared off stems and produces smooth, dark green leaves with clusters of small pinkish white flowers when it bolts.
The Science of Peppermint
Evidence-based research regarding the bioactivity of this herb is widely available. The phenolic constituents of the leaves include rosmarinic acid and several flavonoids, primarily eriocitrin, luteolin and hesperidin. The main volatile components of the essential oil are menthol and menthone. Menthol is primarily responsible for that distinct “minty fresh” scent that we all know so well!
Peppermint has mild antibacterial properties, which makes sense why it’s used prominently in mouthwash and toothpaste. It not only freshens your breath, but also helps kill harmful bacteria. Peppermint has also been shown to relax clogged sinuses attributable to the common cold and allergies, boost energy levels, improve sleep, fight bacterial infections, and even help relieve menstrual cramps.
Peppermint tea can even reduce appetite, making it a great resource for those who are trying to lose weight. It may also be of great help to reduce seasonal allergy symptoms and may also improve concentration.
The Benefits of Peppermint
Just like with lavender, peppermint is a wonderful option for natural wellness because it’s a plant straight from nature (rather than a synthetic drug from a bottle). Our bodies are uniquely designed to respond incredibly well to plants at a cellular level.
Unfortunately, in order to have exclusive patent rights to a product, companies will usually default to the synthetic version in their pharmaceuticals rather than take advantage of the original form in nature. The pure plant matter might have all the same benefits (usually without the scary side effects!), but sadly you won’t find many conventional doctors recommending it.
On a related note, one amazing benefit of peppermint is that you can easily grow it right in your yard, or even in a pot on your sunny windowsill! Be forewarned, however … this prolific herb might just take over your garden if left to its own devices. Because of this, I can almost guarantee that you have a nearby friend or neighbor who would be more than willing to share some of their bumper crop 😉
This aromatic herb is incredibly versatile. You can purchase a bottle of the concentrated oil, a tea with dried leaves, or even pluck a fresh stalk right off your plant and chew on it to get the benefits!
Ways to Use Peppermint
1) Peppermint oil
Steam distilled from the leaves of the mint plant, peppermint essential oil boasts a distinct scent with a fresh, bright aroma that’s both invigorating and cooling. You would need around 250 pounds of mint leaves to create one pound of oil. One drop of peppermint essential oil is roughly equivalent to 25–30 cups of tea, depending on the potency of the plants from which the oil was extracted. In other words, it’s super concentrated!
If you plan to use it on your skin, make sure to dilute with a carrier oil like fractionated coconut. Always keep it well away from your eyes. Diffusing in an essential oil diffuser is always a great option if you’d rather play it safe!
The oil or extract is featured in many products, such as chewing gum, mints, ice cream, air fresheners, laundry detergents, and much more. Interestingly enough, this is often a person’s first exposure to essential oils without them even realizing it! Some lip balms and glosses will even take advantage of this minty aromatic since it freshens breath and can make the lips appear more plump.
Peppermint can be helpful in relieving muscles and pain due to the menthol content. Menthol can help increase blood flow, which can aid in easing head tension and headaches. For example, one study invited participants to apply peppermint oil to their temples. After two hours, their pain had significantly reduced in comparison to those using a placebo oil.
This stimulating oil can also help boost energy and alertness, making it ideal for those 6am wake-ups or 3pm slumps. Try keeping a bottle by your nightstand for a morning whiff, or add a few drops to your office diffuser!
Ants and spiders dislike peppermint, so it can be a natural option for deterring critters in your home.
2) Dried Peppermint
Just like chamomile, peppermint is a well known component of herbal teas. Peppermint tea, which is brewed from crushed dried plant leaves, is commonly used in traditional medicinal practices. In fact, peppermint is one of the most widely consumed single ingredient herbal teas!
Its fresh, uplifting properties make it an ideal choice when you’re feeling unwell, need some feminine wellness support, or are simply craving a yummy treat like chocolate peppermint tea. Alternately, grab your own high-quality dried peppermint here.
As mentioned, peppermint can help digestive problems such as gas, bloating, or indigestion. Peppermint helps smooth the muscle contractions and therefore relieves spasms in the gut. Check out this study here for more information on the bioactivity and health benefits of peppermint for the gut!
3) Fresh peppermint
Fresh, whole-leaf peppermint is amazing for all kinds of culinary uses. I’m sure we’ve all seen it prominently featured in refreshing summer beverages, whether as mock-tails or the real deal. You can also make a mint pesto to top chicken or pasta, blend it into a cool dip for chips and veggies, or toss a bit into a fresh green salad!
One of my favorite easy recipes to make with fresh peppermint is … mint water! It’s hydrating and incredibly refreshing (but without calories or added sugar). It makes staying hydrated water that much more more fun.
- Simply drop ¼ cup mint leaves in 1 cup boiling water and allow it to seep for 15 minutes.
- Plop in a few ice cubes and allow the water to come to room temperature.
- Pour the water in a glass pitcher and add about 7 cups of cold water.
- Refrigerate for an extra-chilled version, OR enjoy right away with some extra ice cubes! If you have a sweet tooth, try a dash of honey at the warm stage or a few drops of 100% pure stevia. I’ve also added freshly-squeezed lemon or lime juice for a fun twist.
In Conclusion
As we’ve seen, peppermint is a super versatile medicinal herb. You can add it to culinary dishes, consume it as hot or cold tea, or diffuse the oil in your diffuser. Try it out and see for yourself! Which idea grabbed your attention the most? Which one are you going to try first? Let us know in the comments!
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