Peppermint Herb Info

The peppermint herb is a well respected herb that has been used and prized for its therapeutic and medicinal benefits for literally thousands of years. Ancient Egyptians used peppermint and it is even mentioned in 13th century Icelandic pharmacopoeias. In fact, ancient Greeks and Romans crowned themselves with a string of peppermint leaves at feasts as well. Today, due to its unique taste, it is used as a confectionery sweetener and flavoring agent in everything from gum, candies, food, even drinks.

However, this multitalented herb actually has significant medicinal qualities you may have not been aware of. In fact, it is prescribed in Europe to treat colds and cold-like symptoms, although it is not here. It actually contains powerful healing volatile oil, "the powerful therapeutic ingredient menthol, as well as menthone, menthyl acetate and some 40 other compounds."

Other key compounds worth mentioning include, tocopherols, and flavonoids. So, what are some of the benefits of herb peppermint? Let's discuss those in detail in the next section.

Herb Peppermint Benefits & Uses

Peppermint Herb Medicinal Uses & Therapeutic Qualities

1. One of the main constituents of the volatile oil, Menthol, is antibacterial and even anti-parasitic. When dissolved in alcohol, it has even proven effective against ringworm.
2. It has antispasmodic capability thus soothing muscles. It also helps as an antispasmodic with the digestive system helping constipation, diarrhea, indigestion, colic, and flatulence; helps with IBS.
3. Peppermint herb is also a useful remedy to improve concentration, herbalists say.
4. It can also be applied topically and not just ingested internally as a tea or eaten naturally. It is, in other words, a natural herbal muscle relaxer when applied directly to the skin. Menthol is cooling and anesthetic when applied to the skin and increases blood flow to the area applied.
5. Due to its unique minty taste, it is an excellent bad breath fighter.
6. It is a stimulant and quickens functional activity of the tissues and cells giving more energy.
7. It is an aphrodisiac in large doses for both men and women.
8. Peppermint herb strengthens, tones, and stimulates the stomach.
9. It is also an antiseptic and is an agent of destroying putrefactive bacteria and pathogenic bacteria as well.
10. Reduces heartburn by increasing the beneficial flow of digestive juices including bile.
11. Reduces the severity of herpes outbreaks in cell cultures and may be beneficial if applied topically for recurrent herpes infection.
12. Helps fight stress
13. Helps control mild asthma by lessening bronchial constriction.

Using Peppermint The Herb

Peppermint herb is used in many forms, oil, dried herb for tea, capsule form, in creams, ointments, softgels, and tinctures. For skin conditions or as a muscle relaxer, apply the ointment or oil directly to the skin, for internal disorders like digestive problems, ringworm, colds, coughs, IBS, flatulence, etc., take it internally as a tea. The fresher the herb is the better.

One nice thing is that it grows naturally and you can often harvest it yourself. We here at Nutritional-Supplement-Bible.com have a natural large patch of peppermint growing close to our home that we use. (It's growing next to a convenience store yet everyone around it seem oblivious it is there.)

Herb Peppermint Precautions & Guidelines

Peppermint The Herb Guidelines

First off, be advised the you should avoid prolonged use of inhalants of the oil and they should never be used for young babies. As always, pregnant and/or nursing women, as a precautionary measure, should never take any supplement without consulting with a doctor. Those taking prescription medications should also consult with their doctor as well.

It can cause a rash in the small group people who may be allergic to it but if discontinued, it should go away quickly. Otherwise, peppermint is a very safe herbal and food.

I also recommend taking enteric-coated capsules or tablets when treating IBS, nausea, gallstones, or in general at any time as the enteric coating preserves the therapeutic quality of the peppermint as it passes through the harsh gastric acids until it can then dissolve in the upper intestine where it can then be assimilated into the blood stream.

I hope this peppermint herb web page has been useful to you.

Yours in health, hope, and harmony,
Nutritional-Supplement-Bible.com