Intresting Herbal Properties of Peppermint

Have you walked by some bushes green plants, and suddenly you smelled something very nice and minty (In West Asia and South East Asia only for raw ones..). You already know it is Peppermint because you have tasted somewhere... But have you ever thought of its herbal properties for your health?

Peppermint (Mentha piperita) is generally regarded as 'the world's oldest medicine', with archaeological evidence placing its use at least as far back as ten thousand years ago.

Peppermint has a high menthol content, and it is famous to be used in Chewing Gum and Tea. Others would be ice cream, confectionery, and toothpaste. Peppermint can also be found in some shampoos and soaps, which give the hair a minty scent and produce a cooling sensation on the skin.

What does Peppermint can do for your health?

The first good thing about peppermint is its property of natural freshness effects. If you just simply chew the leaves, it can give you an instantaneous elimination of Bad Breath! and people can smell the minty freshness as far as 10 meters away!

Actually there is a lot more benefit for eating this minty herb.

- Peppermint helps Indigestion problems
Peppermint calms the muscles of the stomach and improves the flow of bile, which the body uses to digest fats. As a result, food passes through the stomach more quickly.
However, if you have gastoesophageal reflux disease or (GERD), you shouldn't take peppermint.

- Peppermint can relieve Menstrual Cramps
Peppermint has the potential to influence menstrual periods and, because it relaxes muscles, may help to relieve painful cramps.

- Peppermint can be use to treat Nausea and Vomiting
Suck on peppermint candy or chew a stick of peppermint gum. Peppermint is an antispasmodic that will help decrease the stomach contractions that may be causing your nausea.

- Peppermint for treating Galstones
Peppermint oil may help the body break down gallstones.

- Peppermint helps to fight Viruses
Peppermint oil has exhibited antiviral properties against a number of infectious agents, including herpes.

- Peppermint for soothing Itching and Skin Irritations
Peppermint, when applied topically, has a soothing and cooling effect on skin irritations caused by hives, poison ivy, or poison oak. Just Rub a drop of diluted peppermint oil onto insect bites, eczema, and other itching lesions, including the rash of poison ivy.

- Peppermint for releasing Tension Headache
Research has shown that peppermint applied to the forehead and temples compares favorably with acetaminophen (a commonly used over the counter medication) in terms of its ability to reduce headache symptoms.

- Peppermint Helps Cure Colds and Flu
Peppermint and its main active agent, menthol, are effective decongestants. Because menthol thins mucus, it is also a good expectorant, meaning that it helps loosen and breaks up coughs with phlegm. It is soothing and calming for sore throats (pharyngitis) and dry coughs as well.

- Peppermint Soothes Muscle Pain
Various muscle rubs and "ices" contain peppermint oil to reduce pain, burning, and inflammation.

Myths about Peppermint
Large amounts of some herbs such as peppermint and red raspberry leaf are thought to cause contractions and increase preterm labor. So be careful, not all natural things are good for all times..

References - UMM