Peppermint

The mint plant has been around for thousands of years and there are 25 species plus many hybrids of the plant. Peppermint (Mentha piperita) is said to be a natural hybrid between water mint and spearmint.

Peppermint is an excellent source of vitamin A, B2 and C, manganese, iron, magnesium, calcium, folate. It also contains omega_3 fatty acids. The essential oil in peppermint contains contains menthol, menthone, menthyl acetate and menthofuran.

The oil is extracted from the plant just before flowering by steam distillation. It has a fresh, sharp, menthol smell and is clear to pale yellow in color.

Well known for it's health properties, peppermint has been found to be a decongestant, anti-spasmodic, digestive, and antiseptic herb. Peppermint also contains tannins, which are anti-inflammatory, and flavonoids, which provide topical pain relief and help increase circulation.

Both peppermint and it's oil have many applications:
It stimulates salivary glands, bile production and relieves gas, spastic colon (IBS), heartburn and nausea. It is taken as a herbal mint tea, a drop of the essential oil in a glass of warm water or sucking a peppermint losenge.
Used in a burner or vaporizer it will increase concentration, relieve coughs, fevers, nausea and headaches. Will relive nervousness in animals and children and also relieve palpitations and anxiety attacks.
Blended with a carrier oil it will, with massage, relive muscular pains, cramps, spasms and rheumatism. Also found useful in relieving an asthma attack.
Excellent as a mouthwash to sweeten the breath, relieve gum infections or reduce plaque build-up.
Reduces oiliness in the skin and minimizes broken capillaries by constricting the vessel walls.

It has many other uses like detering rats, mice and ants when dabbed on the floor or flying insects when added to a burner.

Warnings: Do not use it directly on the skin unless diluted with a carrier oil like grapeseed oil. Do not use on children under 3 years old and pregnant women should use it with caution.

On top of all this it is very useful in the kitchen from making tasty mint sauce to mint juleps.

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Holiday Bath Salts recipe from Aroma Thyme

2 cups epsom salts
1/2 cup sea salt
4-6 drops peppermint oil,
2-3 drops red food coloring

Place 1 cup of epsom salt and 1/4 cup sea salt in a bowl. Add 2-3 drops peppermint oil. Place the remaining ingredients in a second bowl. Mix all ingredients well. Layer the red and white salts in a clear bottle or jar. I placed the lid on the jar and then put a paper doily over the lid, tied a red ribbon and a candy cane around the lid/doily. With the red and white layering, it makes an attractive presentation.

Magical Disappearing Bath Oil from The Herbs Place
Nourish your skin with this amazing bath oil that mixes into your bath water and leaves you soft, moisturized, and fragrant.

1/2 cup Massage Oil
1/8 cup vegetable glycerin
1/8 cup castile soap
8 drops Bergamot
6 drops Rosemary
3 drops Patchouli
3 drops Peppermint

Combine ingredients in a large, glass measuring cup for easy mixing and pouring. Mix with a wire whisk until ingredients are thoroughly blended. Store in a container with a narrow neck, so it will be easy to pour into your bath. Use half this mixture for one bath. From "The Aromatherapy Recipe Guide" by Larissa Jones.

peppermint essential+oils herbs