Latin Name: Mentha piperita
Description
There are hundreds of hybrids in the mint family. The most useful species are peppermint and its cousin, spearmint. Spearmint and peppermint are fairly interchangeable, as they share most of the same properties. There are 25 well-used types of peppermint. The best kinds come from Canada and the United States.
Peppermint, as well as spearmint, are well-known essential oils that are used much by the food industry for flavour and the pharmaceutical industry for muscle rubs and toothpastes. There is also a fair amount of these two mints found in most brands of bubble gum and breath mints.
Ailments / Situations Where Used
Peppermints cool aroma and chemical compositions lend the oil most of its many properties. They are helpful in relieving pain, particularly muscular and joint pain. They are also useful in respiratory conditions as they have draining and decongesting properties. They are often used as a digestive aid. Peppermint is well appreciated for its use in the treatment of nausea. This is one area where peppermint outworks its cousin, spearmint.
Other ailments in which the use of peppermint and/or spearmint is indicated is insomnia, fatigue, bad breath, migraine headaches, burns, and hangovers.
Source
Leaves
Preparations
Insomnia - diffuse peppermint first thing in the morning to rid sleepiness. Be sure not to use peppermint after dinnertime if you have trouble falling asleep.
Migrane - peppermint's cooling and analgesic effect works well against migranes. Add two drops of peppermint to one teaspoon (5mL) of oil and massage a small amount on the temples and the back of the neck, being sure to avoid the eye area.
Bad Breath - Add one drop mint to one glass of water and use three times daily as a mouth rinse.
Burns - for a sunburn, add one drop peppermint to 10mL of oil or Aloe Gel, and massage a small amount on the area.
Digestive Problems - add two drops peppermint to 5mL of oil, and massage daily onto the abdomen.
Fatigue - diffusing mint into the air helps to dispel fatigue. Add six to eight drops to your diffusor.
Foot Soak - soak tired feet in a bucket of water with three drops of mint added to relieve any soreness.
Hangover - very useful in the treatment of a hangover, a dilution of peppermint (2drops in 5mL of oil) may be massaged at the nape of the neck, over the abdomen, and into the temples.
Backache - two drops peppermint in 5mL of oil is great to relieve back pain. Seeking the help of a licensed chiropractor is also advised.
Contraindications / Precautions / Warnings
You should not use peppermint around the eye area, as it could cause discomfort. Those with sleep disturbances should not use peppermint after dinnertime. Peppermint should also be avoided by those who are pregnant, or those with high blood pressure or epilepsy.
Note that all forms of mint counteract homeopathic remedies, and should not be used in any form (ie. toothpaste, gum, candies, mints) while undergoing homeopathic treatment. Peppermint should be stored well away from any homeopathic remedies.
Ailment / Situation Listing
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