What is Peppermint?
Peppermint is grown in Europe and the U.S. It was originally found in London in 1750 and is a hybrid of spearmint and water mint. High oil content is found in the stems and leaves of the plant. These parts are used medicinally.
Benefits of Peppermint
Peppermint is often used for digestion purposes in oil form. The oil is also used to treat problems including cramps, gastritis, motion sickness, and irritable bowl syndrome.
The gastrointestinal tract is often relieved by peppermint as it relaxes the intestinal wall’s muscles. As it increases saliva, swallowing increases and relieves cramps, improves appetite, and relieves pain from motion sickness, nausea, and irritable bowel syndrome. Muscle spasms from barium enemas, colonoscopy, and endoscopy are restrained by peppermint.
Dosage and preparation of Peppermint
Oil: inhale or rub on chest to provide respiratory relief.
Tea: For 10-15 minutes, place 1 T of dried peppermint leaf in 5-6 oz of boiling water. Strain. Drink up to four times daily.