The Power of Peppermint

Peppermint mocha, peppermint fudge, and the cool, refreshing scent of peppermint candles are sights and smells that scream the holiday season is here. Peppermint has always had a standing in modern holiday festivities, but this bright green leaf is one of the oldest herbs used for cooking and medicine. There’s much more to the fragrant herb than candy canes and peppermint bark.  

A Taste of History. Peppermint is thought to have originated around 1500 BC in Northern Africa or the Mediterranean and was cultivated for use in foods and herbal remedies. There’s evidence in Egyptian medical text that peppermint was used to ease the stomach, and dried peppermint has even been discovered in the inner chambers of the pyramids. Why? The oil from the leaves was considered invaluable, and rulers wanted to bring it with them to the afterlife. By the mid-1700s, peppermint was used as medicine for many conditions, from diseases to migraines.  

Fun Fact: Peppermint was so valuable in ancient Egypt that it was used as a form of money. Peppermint as currency traces to the present-day word “mint” as a place for making money. 

Jump ahead several centuries. Peppermint still packs a medicinal punch. After harvest, it’s put through a water-based distillation process. As the vapor cools, it separates into water and peppermint oil. The concentrated oil gives peppermint its valuable anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antibacterial benefits. The chief chemical compound in peppermint is menthol. It has cooling properties and a very recognizable scent. Peppermint has an interesting combination of both cooling and pungent energy, meaning it can taste and feel both cool and hot. Take a look—it can be a boost while also having calming and soothing characteristics.  

Relaxes muscles. The menthol in peppermint oil can help to soothe and ease inflamed tissues, calm muscle spasms or cramps, making it a natural muscle relaxer. 

Boosts immune support. Bioactive ingredients in peppermint have been found to be protective against various strains of bacteria. Menthol is the key player responsible for these benefits.  

Eases digestion. Peppermint has been shown to soothe an upset stomach, helping with indigestion, nausea, gas, and bloating. It can help relax the stomach and calm the digestive tract. 

Provides pain relief. Menthol in peppermint provides a cooling sensation, while increasing circulation and easing pain. Applying peppermint oil to your temples as a muscle relaxant may help diminish headaches.  

Relieves common cold symptoms. Menthol is an effective decongestant that helps shrink the swollen membranes in your nose, making it easier to breathe as you inhale its scent. It’s also an expectorant that loosens mucus in your lungs so you can clear it easier. There’s more. Menthol activates the cold receptors in your mouth that can create a feeling of increased airflow in your nose and throat, helping a sore throat feel better.  

TIP: Add 3-4 drops of peppermint essential oil to hot water and then inhale the steam.  

Naturally caffeine-free peppermint tea. The cooling effect from the menthol-containing leaves combined with the other health benefits make peppermint tea a healthy choice. It can invigorate the mind, promote digestive health, and support a healthy inflammatory response to ward off respiratory tract infections.  

Enjoy tea several ways—use as a post-meal treat to aid digestion, in the afternoon to boost your energy, or before bed to help you relax. Steep a handful of the leaves in hot water for ten minutes, strain and add the infused water to your bath. Make a strong batch of tea, cool it in the refrigerator, and use cotton balls to gently apply it to a sunburn to ease the pain. 

Peppermint Tea Recipe. Bring two cups of water to a boil. Turn off the heat and add a handful of torn peppermint leaves to the water. Cover and steep for 5 minutes. Strain and enjoy! 

This is just the tip of the peppermint-infused iceberg. Peppermint boosts energy, improves focus, rejuvenates skin, and can repel pesky insects and rodents! This powerful herb, so strongly present in December, needs to come out of hiding the other 11 months of the year. Get inspired. Incorporate peppermint into your daily routine and not just in your holiday mochas and cookies. 

Heidi Kutz 

Education Specialist, ViaroHealth 

For questions or comments, contact wellness@viarohealth.com