All information provided in this article is the result of research using (but not limited to) the following books and guides: Herbs for Health and Healing, Rodale; Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs, Scott Cunningham; Magical Herbalism, Scott Cunningham; The Complete Guide to Natural Healing, International Masters Publishers; Earthway, Mary Summer Rain; and Teach Yourself Herbs, Susie White.
Authentic peppermint is a cross of several different varieties of mint. First identified in England in 1696, this aromatic plant is particularly valuable for digestive problems, as it soothes the muscles and lining of the colon. It can also relieve headaches and colds.
Many people plant peppermint in their gardens simply to enjoy its spicy fragrance on hot summer days. If you plan to grow peppermint for other reasons, be sure to choose the variety with the greatest medicinal effect (there are more than 20 species of the herb). True peppermint, Mentha piperita, has the highest number of active agents, including the essential oil menthol, which gives the herb its healing powers.
Tea preparations made from the jagged green leaves of true peppermint are highly prized for their ability to prevent convulsions and flatulence. Peppermint tea is also a useful remedy for irritable bowel syndrome. In addition, it can alleviate the symptoms of headaches (including migraines) and stimulate liver and gallbladder functions. The fresh, spicy aroma of peppermint tea can also counteract motion sickness, and sipping a cup of the tea helps to freshen breath.
Essential oil of peppermint, which is distilled from the leaves, has become one of the most popular oils in aromatherapy. The plant has been popular for its pungent flavor and its curative powers since the seventeenth century, when it may have been brought from the Orient by way of North Africa. In all its uses, peppermint oil is refreshing to the mind, body and spirit. The distinctive scent of peppermint essential oil can improve a person's concentration and focus.
The way this works is that the scent actually triggers the hippocampus, a part of the brain linked to memory. The oil relieves not only mental fatigue but also nausea and dizziness. As a healing oil, peppermint is both antiseptic and anesthetic because of its high proportion of menthol. Thus, the essential oil, when inhaled, is extremely effective for fighting respiratory infections, from colds to bronchitis and sinusitis. When diluted and applied to the skin, the oil soothes and cools. This oil is particularly useful with older children.
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