Health Benefits of Peppermint

Peppermint, used as an aromatherapy tool can be used in room diffusers or an aromatherapy necklace to create an energizing mood. Use pure/undiluted peppermint essential oil which can be found at most health stores.

Peppermint can also help with heartburn. Using pure peppermint essential oil, put a single drop (no more) in a tall glass of water. This is still a very strong mixture and it is recommended that you pour half of the water from the glass and refill it again to cut the strength. Swallow a gulp or two and this should alleviate heartburn almost immediately. This remedy works for my husband and myself, but I have seen on some websites where the remedy does not work for some people and can have the opposite effect.
Try this at your own risk. It is also a good idea to consult a physician as well. Pregnant woman must first consult a physician as some herbs can cause complications with pregnancy.


Peppermint is also an antibacterial. I use it in a spray bottle with water to spray the air in my home to kill odors. And you can also add a few drops to some baking soda and mix it up, sprinkle it on the carpets and let it sit for 20-30 minutes and then vacuum. This kills odors in the carpets and makes your home smell amazingly refreshing. (Also using pure essential oil)

~Hyla

Here are some more uses for peppermint found on this site.


Health Benefits of Peppermint

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Nutrients
Peppermint is an excellent source of vitamin C and vitamin A. Peppermint is a very good source of magnesium, folate, dietary fiber, calcium, iron, and vitamin B2.

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Irritable Bowel Syndrome
In a 1-month double blind, placebo-controlled clinical study involving 110 participants with symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome, there was significant improvement of symptoms after taking a peppermint oil formulation 3 to 4 times daily.
In another study 57 participants were given peppermint oil capsules twice daily for 4 weeks, and 75% of the participants showed a 50% decrease of irritable bowel syndrome symptoms.

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Indigestion (dyspepsia)
An herbal preparation consisting of peppermint oil and caraway has been shown to alleviate pain associated with dyspepsia, and a reduction in other gastrointestinal symptoms.
The peppermint oil and caraway combination appears to be as effective as Cisapride (withdrawn because of harmful side effects) in relieving dyspepsia.


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Headache
At the Neurological Clinic at the University of Kiel in Germany, a topical application of peppermint oil and ethanol produced a reduction in sensitivity to headache.
Another study has shown that a topical application of peppermint oil and ethanol combination rubbed on the forehead and temples to be just as effective in alleviating tension headache as acetaminophen (Tylenol).

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Shingles
A 76-year-old woman shingles sufferer experienced almost immediate relief from pain after topical treatment with peppermint oil. Standard therapies had been ineffective in relieving her pain.

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Anti Cancer
Perillyl alcohol is a dietary monoterpene (phytochemical or phytonutrient) found in the essential oil of peppermint and other plants. Preliminary studies have shown perillyl alcohol to regress pancreatic, mammary, and liver tumors, and has the ability to kill cancer cells without harming healthy cells. Results of this and other studies suggest that perillyl alcohol may have potential as a non-toxic preventative treatment for various types of human cancers.
Rosmarinic acid is a phenolic acid found in peppermint and other herbs, which has antioxidant activities stronger than that of vitamin E, helping to reduce cell damage and the risk of cancer.

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Candidiasis
Of 35 oil extracts of medicinal plants tested, peppermint was one of the 13 plants that demonstrated anti-Candida activity.

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Athletes Foot
A study at the University of Novi Sad in Yugoslavia has shown peppermint oil to have greater fungicidal activity than the commercial fungicide Bifonazole, which is used to treat the fungal skin infection athlete’s foot.