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Peppermint - Health Benefits
Scientific Name: Mentha piperita
Family: Lamiaceae (mint family).
Common names: Peppermint, lamb mint, brandy mint, balm mint, curled mint, amenta, lammint
Part of Plant Used: Leaves
Origin: Europe, Asia, Mediterranean
Peppermint
is a hybrid of spearmint and water mint with a flavor described as “a
cross between pepper and chlorophyll.” What’s really interesting about
that is that someone actually knows what chlorophyll tastes like. The
Greek story of the herb’s origins is rather amusing. Persepheone turned a nymph named Minthe into a plant because her husband Pluto was giving Minthe
too much affection. Try as he might, Pluto could not reverse the
spell, but he did impart the plant with a wonderful smell so that she
would delight the senses. This arousing scent has been used throughout
history to clear the air in temples and homes. Middle Eastern hosts
still offer mint to their arriving guests as a show of hospitality.
Menthol
is the primary component of the essential oil of peppermint.An infusion
of green mint is the `national beverage' in Morocco and Tunisia.
Health Benefits
1.
Peppermint is used to treat gastric and digestive disorders, as well as
tension and insomnia. Randomized clinical trials have shown the
ability of the herb to relieve indigestion, dyspepsia, and colonic
muscle spasms characteristic of IBS. The menthol contained in the plant
is likely responsible for this smooth muscle relaxing ability.
2.
Further, peppermint contains perillyl alcohol, a phytonutrient shown in
animal studies to stop pancreatic, mammary, liver, colon, skin, and
lung tumors. As with so many other herbs, this one is also quite good
at stopping numerous bacteria, such as H. pylori, E. coli, and
antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Along with being very high in vitamins,
peppermint also contains rosmarinic acid, which if you’ll recall from
the discussions of oregano and sage, has inhibitory effects on
leukotrienes. This acid also stimulates the release of prostacyclins
that help to keep airways open.
3. Traditionally, peppermint
essential oil has been used to treat indigestion, headaches, colic,
gingivitis, irritable bowel syndrome, spasms and rheumatism.
4.
This volatile and potent essential has very diverse uses because of its
many properties. It relaxes muscles; has antiviral and bactericidal
qualities; increases stomach acidity (to aid digestion); is an analgesic
and counterirritant; and is a carminative (eases intestinal cramping).
5.
The menthol in peppermint soothes the lining of the digestive tract an
stimulates the production of bile, which is an essential digestive
fluid. A hot cup of herbal tea is an excellent way to settle your
stomach after a big meal.
6. There is a very good reason that
peppermint is the flavoring of choice for toothpaste. Peppermint is an
excellent breath freshener. When using peppermint tea as a breath
freshener, increase the effectiveness by adding a pinch of anise,
caraway or cinnamon. Mint is also a good remedy for gingivitis.
7. Peppermint is reputed to have the calming, sedative effect.
8.
Peppermint and its relatives are mostly known as a medicine and popular
herbs for infusions. Menthol vapors are famous for relieving nasal,
sinus and chest congestion.
9. Digestion problems/ Nausea/ Excess Gas: One drop of essential oil in a glass of water, or on a sugar cube, taken orally.
10.
Tension Headaches: 1-2 drops in carrier oil applied to temples when
headache starts and once an hour after, if needed. Some people might
find it more effective to apply a drop behind each ear, depending on the
type and cause of headache. If the headache is related to digestives
problems, also drink a glass of (preferably warm) water with a drop (or
2) of mint oil in it.
11. Mental Fatigue: Mint is a stimulant
similar to caffeine, but won't cause jitters. Try a drop at the back of
the tongue. Too much at once can be overwhelming; try a SMALL drop
first. Mint is also known for lifting the mood, bringing cheer. Also
throughout history has been used in cases of hysteria and shock.
12. Mint contains Vitamin C and Vitamin A.
13.
Essential peppermint oil is anti-inflammatory, analgesic
(pain-reducer), and a counterirritant. Essential oils promote formation
of white cells and acts against microbial germs, while being completely
harmless to skin tissue. All these factors are at work in healing skin
conditions.
Flavor: Mint is another one with about 25
different varieties. There's peppermint, spearmint, chocolate mint,
apple mint, and basil mint, just to name a few. And yes, chocolate mint
has a chocolatey flavor. It's pretty righteous.
Peppermint - Health Benefits
Thursday, August 8, 2013
Peppermint - Health Benefits
Family: Lamiaceae (mint family).
Common names: Peppermint, lamb mint, brandy mint, balm mint, curled mint, amenta, lammint
Part of Plant Used: Leaves
Origin: Europe, Asia, Mediterranean
Peppermint
is a hybrid of spearmint and water mint with a flavor described as “a
cross between pepper and chlorophyll.” What’s really interesting about
that is that someone actually knows what chlorophyll tastes like. The
Greek story of the herb’s origins is rather amusing. Persepheone turned a nymph named Minthe into a plant because her husband Pluto was giving Minthe
too much affection. Try as he might, Pluto could not reverse the
spell, but he did impart the plant with a wonderful smell so that she
would delight the senses. This arousing scent has been used throughout
history to clear the air in temples and homes. Middle Eastern hosts
still offer mint to their arriving guests as a show of hospitality.
Menthol
is the primary component of the essential oil of peppermint.An infusion
of green mint is the `national beverage' in Morocco and Tunisia.
Health Benefits
1.
Peppermint is used to treat gastric and digestive disorders, as well as
tension and insomnia. Randomized clinical trials have shown the
ability of the herb to relieve indigestion, dyspepsia, and colonic
muscle spasms characteristic of IBS. The menthol contained in the plant
is likely responsible for this smooth muscle relaxing ability.
2.
Further, peppermint contains perillyl alcohol, a phytonutrient shown in
animal studies to stop pancreatic, mammary, liver, colon, skin, and
lung tumors. As with so many other herbs, this one is also quite good
at stopping numerous bacteria, such as H. pylori, E. coli, and
antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Along with being very high in vitamins,
peppermint also contains rosmarinic acid, which if you’ll recall from
the discussions of oregano and sage, has inhibitory effects on
leukotrienes. This acid also stimulates the release of prostacyclins
that help to keep airways open.
3. Traditionally, peppermint
essential oil has been used to treat indigestion, headaches, colic,
gingivitis, irritable bowel syndrome, spasms and rheumatism.
4.
This volatile and potent essential has very diverse uses because of its
many properties. It relaxes muscles; has antiviral and bactericidal
qualities; increases stomach acidity (to aid digestion); is an analgesic
and counterirritant; and is a carminative (eases intestinal cramping).
5.
The menthol in peppermint soothes the lining of the digestive tract an
stimulates the production of bile, which is an essential digestive
fluid. A hot cup of herbal tea is an excellent way to settle your
stomach after a big meal.
6. There is a very good reason that
peppermint is the flavoring of choice for toothpaste. Peppermint is an
excellent breath freshener. When using peppermint tea as a breath
freshener, increase the effectiveness by adding a pinch of anise,
caraway or cinnamon. Mint is also a good remedy for gingivitis.
7. Peppermint is reputed to have the calming, sedative effect.
8.
Peppermint and its relatives are mostly known as a medicine and popular
herbs for infusions. Menthol vapors are famous for relieving nasal,
sinus and chest congestion.
9. Digestion problems/ Nausea/ Excess Gas: One drop of essential oil in a glass of water, or on a sugar cube, taken orally.
10.
Tension Headaches: 1-2 drops in carrier oil applied to temples when
headache starts and once an hour after, if needed. Some people might
find it more effective to apply a drop behind each ear, depending on the
type and cause of headache. If the headache is related to digestives
problems, also drink a glass of (preferably warm) water with a drop (or
2) of mint oil in it.
11. Mental Fatigue: Mint is a stimulant
similar to caffeine, but won't cause jitters. Try a drop at the back of
the tongue. Too much at once can be overwhelming; try a SMALL drop
first. Mint is also known for lifting the mood, bringing cheer. Also
throughout history has been used in cases of hysteria and shock.
12. Mint contains Vitamin C and Vitamin A.
13.
Essential peppermint oil is anti-inflammatory, analgesic
(pain-reducer), and a counterirritant. Essential oils promote formation
of white cells and acts against microbial germs, while being completely
harmless to skin tissue. All these factors are at work in healing skin
conditions.
Flavor: Mint is another one with about 25
different varieties. There's peppermint, spearmint, chocolate mint,
apple mint, and basil mint, just to name a few. And yes, chocolate mint
has a chocolatey flavor. It's pretty righteous.
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