Ah! The lively smell of peppermint! I stirs festive feelings within us as we are reminded of the Christmas season and some of our favorite treats: Peppermint bark, candy canes, peppermint ice cream and lattes. . .and we could probably go on. . .
We all love the taste of it, but what are the health benefits of this plant, and why is it so popular?
Peppermint History
Peppermint (Mentha piperita) is a cross breed between the Water Mint and Spearmint.
In 1550 B.C., there is evidence in Egyptian medical text that claims peppermint’s ability to ease stomach ailments. Dried peppermint leaves have been found in Egyptian pyramids from 1000 B.C. Peppermint was even valuable enough in ancient Egypt to be used as a form of money. Ever wonder where we get our word “mint” when talking about currency or a place to print money?
Peppermint has also been mentioned in ancient literature: Pliny the Elder, a Roman philosopher, wrote about peppermint’s appetite-inducing qualities, and stated that mint should be bound in a crown around the head to stimulate the mind and soul. Aristotle, a Greek philosopher, claimed peppermint as an aphrodisiac.
The Bible makes reference to peppermint’s use as currency in the Gospel of Luke, which discusses the tithing of mint.
“But woe to you Pharisees! For you tithe mint and rue and every herb, and neglect justice and the love of God. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others.” –Luke 11:42
Monks during the Middle Ages used peppermint to clean their teeth and, with its strong menthol smell, would also use it to repel rodents away from their cheese storerooms. By the mid-1700s, peppermint became listed as a medicinal agent for treating many kinds of conditions.
Peppermint Benefits
- Muscle Relief
Peppermint essential oil, due to its cooling properties, is a very effective in relaxing the muscles and helping to give relief and ease any uncomfortable-ness. It also has antispasmodic properties and is especially helpful in alleviating head tension. You can massage in a few drops topically over the muscles when those charlie horses trot in, or if your back is struggling from too much sitting or pulling a muscle. - Respiratory Health
Peppermint contains the component Menthol (that is what we “feel” when we take cough drops or use a VapoRub). It acts as an expectorant, helping to open your airways, clear mucus and reduce congestion. You can apply a couple of drops to your chest, temples and the back of your neck, or mix with coconut oil for your own rub. - Nausea and Stomach Issues
Peppermint’s muscle relaxing qualities and soothing aroma makes this a great oil for easing an upset stomach. It’s been used for centuries for this purpose. Drinking peppermint tea, sucking on peppermint candy or chewing the leaves are several ways people have taken advantage of these properties. You can also try rubbing a few drops onto your tummy or inhale directly from the bottle. - Oral Health
Peppermint oil contains antibacterial and antifungal properties. This makes it especially effective for freshening your breath and creating a healthy mouth. It has also been shown, along with other oils, to display antimicrobial properties against oral pathogens. You can add a drop to your toothpaste when you brush, or you can oil pull with a couple of drops and coconut oil. - Bug Repellent
While we humans tend to love the smell of peppermint, the same does not hold for a lot of pesky critters. This makes peppermint oil a great repellent for pests such as spiders, ants, mice and even mosquitoes. You can mix a few drops into a spray bottle for a natural bug spray.
Peppermint Uses and Cautions
I hardly go anywhere without my peppermint bottle. It can come in handy in a variety of everyday scenarios.
I love to diffuse a few drops with some lemon oil to freshen up my house and to energize my mind when I’m writing or working.
Adding a few drops topically behind my ears or my arms comes in handy to cool me down when I am spending a lot of time outdoors during the summer. This can also be a deterrent for those pesky mosquitoes that love to fly around.
Haven’t you always hated swishing salt water in your mouth to get rid of those sores on the inside of your lip? It always made my lip feel huge and it seemed to take forever to go down. I discovered one day that adding just a drop or two of peppermint oil to the bump helped tremendously. . .and it also made my mouth feel so much fresher!
Peppermint oil is pretty strong and can cause some skin reactions, so I recommend patch testing if you are new to using it, or using a carrier oil until you see how your body reacts to it. Be careful using it around sensitive areas of the body. Peppermint never burned MY eyes, it makes them feel icy and very watery, but it can irritate the eyes in various ways. Make sure you wash your hands after using it topically before messing with your eyes.
If you do get peppermint, or any essential oil, in your eyes DON’T use water, but apply some olive oil to flush it out.
Peppermint has been known to interact with certain medications, so it is important to ask your doctor before using if you are currently on any medicine, or if you are pregnant, as it is not entirely clear if pregnancy responds well to this oil.
Preserving Foundations 
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