Peppermint is a cross between water mint and spearmint, originally native to the Mediterranean region.
Mints in general have been used for thousands of years by many ancient cultures including the Ancient Greeks, Egyptians and Romans but it wasn’t until the 17th century that peppermint was recognised as a distinct subspecies. It has a high menthol content. As a medicinal plant, peppermint is cultivated all over the world for its use in flavour, fragrance, medicinal and pharmaceutical applications and as such has significantly affected human life across the entire world.
We are possibly more familiar with the use of peppermint as a tea and more commonly as an oil which is distilled from freshly ground leaves. The oil contains menthol and menthone plus several other minor constituents and is available in capsules or as a liquid which can be used on the skin or ingested. As it is highly concentrated, use in a diluted form, a few drops at a time in water. It can be toxic to take a lot at once.
Peppermint is widely used in natural remedies and traditional medicine for the treatment of digestive disorders because of its antitumor and antimicrobial properties, its renal actions, antiallergenic effects and for lessening cramping and digestive complaints. It may also help relieve nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapy. The oil is also a safe and effective short-term treatment for IBS, easing gas, stomach pain, constipation and diarrhea.
Peppermint contains antibacterial properties so as well as freshening your breath, it may also rid the mouth of the source of the smell and keep bacteria from forming a film on the teeth. Its antimicrobial powers could help you fight off the common cold while the menthol comes to the fore when it’s used as an inhalation to ease stuffed sinuses, making breathing easier. Some studies have shown the menthol can lessen the pain of migraine headaches as well as reducing other symptoms like light sensitivity, nausea and vomiting. Other studies have indicated applying a few drops of peppermint oil solution to your forehead and temples can help resolve tension headaches.
Should you feel sleepy during the day, inhaling peppermint oil may ease that sleepiness and give you an energy boost. Its sharp smell may also boost your memory and keep you extra alert. At the same time, you may feel less hungry which studies have shown to be the case. Peppermint has you covered.
In further studies, some women have reported that the menthol in peppermint, while not affecting the amount of blood loss, can ease the intensity and shorten the length of period pain.
If you enjoy being outdoors but are plagued by seasonal allergies, a compound in peppermint called rosmarinic acid that lowers the body’s histamine reaction could mean fewer symptoms like stuffy nose, sneezing and red itchy eyes. There have also been studies trialling the menthol component of peppermint as possible protection from insect bites, mosquitos in particular. These discoveries mean enjoying being outdoors may become more of a possibility for many people.
And last but not least, scientists tested peppermint oil on bacteria like E-coli, listeria and salmonella and found it stopped all three from growing. They have also demonstrated it can kill staphylococcus aureus, a bacterium that causes skin infections, pneumonia, meningitis and more. Watch this space. No wonder peppermint has continued to be used throughout the ages.
If anything mentioned in this article resonated with you or presented a situation which you would like to discuss in more detail or seek support with, consider booking in for an Initial Natural Medicine Consultation:
https://total-health.com.au/services/natural-medicine-naturopathy
Author: Linda Carlyle
Linda’s first response when supporting her wellbeing has always been to look at what natural approaches are available first, as simple solutions often provide an answer. She loves to observe these results with clients who commit to making changes to their lifestyle to improve their health and vitality.
