Peppermint almost always brings to mind candy canes, chocolate covered patties and various other sweets. Especially during the upcoming holiday season. But this amazing herb has a multitude of medicinal applications. Several of which are listed below.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome Peppermint oil has been described as the drug of first choice in IBS patients as it safely helps alleviate symptoms and improve quality of life. Research has shown that it is effective in children and adults alike, with one study showing a 50 percent reduction in total irritable bowel syndrome score among 75 percent of patients who tried it.
Allergies Peppermint is a natural antihistamine, inhibiting the release of histamine and reducing allergy symptoms.
Shingles-Associated Pain A topical treatment of peppermint oil results in near-immediate improvement in shingles-associated pain.
Memory Problems The aroma of peppermint has been shown to enhance memory and increase alertness.
Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea Peppermint oil effectively reduces chemotherapy-induced nausea, and at a reduced cost compared to standard drug-based treatments.
Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 Peppermint has been shown to help inhibit drug-resistant herpes simplex virus type 1.
Dental Cavities and Bad Breath Peppermint oil has been shown to be superior to the mouthwash chemical chlorhexidine in inhibiting the formation of biofilm formations linked to dental cavities.
Respiratory Benefits Peppermint oil acts as an expectorant and decongestant, and may help clear your respiratory tract. Use peppermint oil as a cold rub on your chest or inhale it through a vaporizer to help clear nasal congestion and relieve cough and cold symptoms.
Headaches Peppermint oil relieves tension headache pain. For headache pain, try dabbing a few drops on your wrist or sprinkling a few drops on a cloth, then inhaling the aroma. You can also massage the oil directly onto your temples and forehead.
Stress Peppermint oil is cooling and energizing. Add a few drops to your bath, or dap a few drops directly on your body then get into the tub, for near-instant stress relief. You can also put the oil into a burner for a stress-relieving aroma.
Asthma Peppermint contains rosmarinic acid (also found in rosemary), which helps to reduce inflammation-causing chemicals in people with asthma.
Infantile Colic Peppermint is at least as effective as simethicone in the treatment of colic in infants.
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