The Healing Power 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.
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 vitamins and herbs 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 root from taking over. It roots laterally across the ground and will sprout roots 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.
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
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17427617
Nature’s Way Pepogest Peppermint Gel Caps
http://www.edenscorner.com/#!health-miscellaneous/c19i2
Health Benefits of Peppermint Dr. Mercola
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2013/10/14/peppermint-health-benefits.aspx
Irritable Bowel Symptoms & Treatments Andrew Weil, M.D. http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/ART00680/Irritable-Bowel-Syndrome-IBS.html