Healing Power of Peppermint

Best Health Benefits of Peppermint  

Do you suffer with upset stomach? Headaches? Stress?

 

Discover peppermint. It's possibly the most versatile essential oil in the world. It has antimicrobial properties that can help freshen your breath and soothe digestive issues. It is cooling and calming to the body which can relieve sore muscles.

Peppermint’s Best Known as a Digestive Aid

 

Next time you feel a stomach ache coming on, reach for peppermint. It’s safe and effective and unlike prescribed medications, has no harmful side effects and is considerably less expensive.

 

Peppermint is such an effective healing herb it should be a part of every home medicine cabinet. Like most herbs, it’s rich in thousands of plant nutrients and can be used for countless maladies.

 

Peppermint’s best known as a digestive aid, but serves many other functions as well, including headache reliever. Our family has used it for many years. It’s available in soft gel capsules and liquid. Relieves gas, bloating, and upset stomach in minutes.

Recently, after partaking in too much rich food, I found my stomach expanding to an ever increasing size. Discomfort urged me to reach for some mint. I quickly realized my gel cap supply had been exhausted. Good thing I keep the esssential oil on hand for my mouthwash and occasional cup of hot chocolate.

I put several drops in ¼ cup of warm water.

Within minutes, my discomfort subsided and I was able to relax. Mint also makes a fabulous tea and my kitchen would not be without dried bunches of the magical elixir to keep me through the winter. Make a pot of tea with a handful of fresh or dried mint leaves and several slices of fresh ginger.

Documented health benefits of peppermint:

 

Stomach upset

Take 1-2 gel caps or several drops in ½ cup of warm water

 

Colic in children

Mix a few drops with a carrier oil like coconut oil and apply to chest and stomach area. Gently rub stomach or back. Fennel and ginger oil may also improve colic symptoms.

 

Anti-itch Relief

Mix equal parts peppermint oil with lavender and apply to affected area

 

IBS- Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Enteric coated peppermint capsules taken 15-30 minutes before meals, 3 times per day

 

Tension Headaches

Gently massage a couple drops into your temples

 

Energizer

Take a few whiffs from the bottle for a quick pick-me-up

 

Stress Relief

Drink a cup of tea, bathe and massage your temples with a drop or so of the essential oil

 

Antiseptic and Antibacterial Properties

Adding a few drops to your shampoo, conditioner, lotion or massage oil imparts a soothing and cooling sensation. It is effective in removing lice from your scalp also. Add 2-3 drops to your shampoo as a preventative and for a pleasing shampoo experience.

 

Muscle Relief Pain

Helps spasms and pain. Bathe in a few drops added to a bath or massage essential oil into muscles. Add a few drops to your massage oil or make your own. 

 

Dental Cavities and Bad Breath

Add to homemade toothpaste, mouthwash or place a drop under your tongue followed with a glass of water.  

 

Cautionary Common Sense

 

Essential oils, while incredibly versatile and relatively gentle, are still medicinal-quality substances and should be treated with care. As with all essential oils, make sure to dilute in water or with a carrier oil (such as almond, sesame or coconut) and listen to your body and the wisdom of those trained in herbal medicine.

 

Grow A Pot of Peppermint

 

Peppermint is an easy to grow herb and every garden or window sill should have at least one pot. It grows best in sun or partial shade,

but beware,

it is an invasive grower and can take over your garden in no time! If growing it outdoors keep it in a pot. You can sink the pot in the ground to keep the roots from taking over. It roots laterally across the ground and will sprout wherever its branches touch soil. The roots are short and easy to pull up so you needn’t worry about it taking over.

 

All but the hottest climates will support its vibrant growth.

DISCLAIMER: Please remember these treatments options are only meant as guidelines and should not replace the advice or treatment provided by your holistic health practitioner. It is always good to seek the advice of your functional medicine doctor, homeopath, naturopath, or herbalist for professional advice in any matter related to your health. This article is for information purposes only.

 

 

And its Fruit Shall Be for Food and its Leaf for Medicine

Ezekiel 47:12

 

 

 

Resources

Rosemary Gladstar’s Medicinal Herbs: A Beginner’s Guide  

 

Peppermint Oil

byPubMed.gov  

 

NOW Peppermint Softgels

Eden's Health Store

 

Health Benefits of Peppermint

by Dr. Mercola

 

Irritable Bowel Symptoms & Treatments 

by Andrew Weil, M.D.