Thankful for Peppermint

Peppermint is so ubiquitous that most everyone may have a teabag of it at home. It is known for its soothing and cooling effect and is often drank after a big meal for its amazing digestive effects. This action is as a result of the plant’s high menthol content, which gives it its distinct flavor and aroma. Mint is also a popular essential oil as its volatile aromatic properties makes it quite fit for the occasion.

Botanical Name: Mentha x piperita

Family: Lamicaeae

Parts used: leaves, flowers

Energetics: variable, warming to cooling, drying

Taste: Pungent

Plant properties: aromatic, carminative, analgesic, stimulating nervine, antispasmodic, stimulating diaphoretic, antiemetic

Plant uses: stomach upset, bad breath, colds, flu, fever, sinus congestion, gas, nausea, spasms, headaches, externally to soothing itching and inflammation of the skin.

Plant preparations: tea, tincture, wash, essential oil, culinary.

Peppermint is a hybrid between spearmint and water mint hence the x in its botanical name. Peppermint is a spicy yet cooling plant that tastes great while offering powerful benefits for digestion, fevers, and even mood. It is tremendously helpful in relieving symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or nerve pain.

For Digestion

Peppermint tea relieves of many types of common digestive complaints. Peppermint has been clinically shown to be helpful for people suffering with digestive disorders, such as IBS as it tackles symptoms from bad breath to aches, relieving anxiety and more.

For Improved Mood

Simply smelling peppermint has benefits! Peppermint can help improve memory and alertness, relieve mental exhaustion and moderate burnout. Peppermint renews, refreshes, and energizes without depleting or using up energy reserves.

For Relieving Pain

Peppermint is amazing for soothing pain. It is commonly used in the form of a fomentation, whereby its tea is soaked in a cloth and applied to a specific area. Peppermint oil can relieve even intense nerve pain. Peppermint can also relieve itching and inflammation of sunburns, poison oak/evy and hives. You can use the tea as a wash or add a strong brew to bathwater.

For Colds and Flus

Peppermint has long been used in indigenous preparations to address fevers that accompany the flu. It opens the pores of the body, allowing the heat to escape, which makes it a great choice for fevers when the patient is restless and feels hot.

To break up congestion in the lungs, essential oil of peppermint or an herbal steam with peppermint can be inhaled with similar effects.

Considerations:

Peppermint can cause of exacerbate heartburn in some sensitive individuals. Taken in excess in could dry up breast milk.