Organic Spotlight: Peppermint
Tuesday, December 25th, 2007 | Author: Organic Blogger
Peppermint is one of the most popular and useful herbs of all-time. It’s rich in natural menthol concentrates, which have been used both medicinally and commercially since Ancient Times.
Facts about Peppermint:
- The chief element of peppermint oil is Menthol
- Commonly used as a both a flavoring and a therapeutic agent
- Peppermint oil has been widely used since Egyptian times
- 2 dozen species and hundreds of sub-varieties within the mint family
- Easy to grow: likes plenty of water and does great in just about any soil
- All mints are native to Europe but now grown the world over
Healing Powers of Peppermint:
- Causes constriction of blood vessels
- Provides mental clarity and elevates mood
- A natural insect repellent
- Induces perspiration
- Acts as an analgesic and is cooling to the skin
Uses of Peppermint (just to name a few):
- Expels gas and aids in calming indigestion
- Great at easing nerves and helps to de-stress
- Promotes easy breathing
- Aids in reducing fevers
- Natural astringent
- Relieves smooth muscle spasms
Take time to enjoy the many benefits of using peppermint both for medicinal use and to add flavor to your favorite items.
**Cautions: Do not ingest peppermint oil unless otherwise specified by a health care professional and be very careful if using it topically, as it may cause skin irritation in some individuals.



