Peppermint! Not just a sweet fix!

Ahhhhhhhh the cool refreshing taste of peppermint. We all know it well, from our favorite minty candies, gum, ice cream, tea and more. Peppermint (Mentha piperita) is often used to flavor food items like these and is an ingredient also found in beauty and skin care products such as toothpaste and mouthwash, soaps, shampoos and lotions. However, the peppermint plant’s leaves and oil can also be used for medicinal purposes. For example, peppermint is known to reduce spasms in the digestive tract and therefore is used to aid in digestion and soothe an upset stomach. In addition, peppermint has high menthol content and the menthol activates cold-sensitive TRPM8 receptors in the skin and the mucosal tissue (or mucous membranes) and therefore is the primary reason for the cooling sensation that follows when applying peppermint oil to the skin. Peppermint oil has been used to treat headaches, soothe tired feet, relieve aching joints and restore vitality in the mouth leaving you of course with minty fresh breath!

Peppermint can also be found as an ingredient in many chest rubs, used to treat symptoms of the common cold like a stuffy nose and congestion. As if that wasn’t enough, studies have shown that peppermint also kills certain types of fungus, viruses and bacteria suggesting that it may have antifungal, antiviral and antibacterial properties. So it's clear, there's a multitude of everyday uses for peppermint!

Here's a list of what we think are the top 12 coolest peppermint uses:

1.     Settle a sour stomach. Just a drop of peppermint oil rubbed onto the stomach or taken internally can calm indigestion, relieve an upset stomach or other internal digestive issues like irritable bowel syndrome. A great travel companion too for foreign places with local cuisine that perhaps your body hasn’t quite become accustomed to.

2.     Freshen your mouth. When your breath is maybe not so fresh and your teeth feel as if they’re wearing a sweater, mix peppermint oil with some water to create a healthy, refreshing mouth rinse that leaves a lasting cool, crisp, clean feeling so you can go ahead and breathe!

3.     Soothe your aching feet. Perhaps you’ve been on your feet all day or your hard soled or high-heeled work shoes just have those feet aching, add peppermint oil to a cold wet wash cloth or hand towel and wrap your tootsies in them to cool and soothe your over-worked, over-heated feet.

4.     Cool the joints. When joints are aching, either after a hard workout or perhaps time’s taking a toll them, massage the peppermint oil on the aching area (mixing in lavender oil works well too). It cools like an ice bath, but you to stay warm and dry.  Works for strained, sore muscles too.

5.     Energize your morning shower. Some shampoo and conditioner combos can make you want to go back to sleep when you really need to start your day. Don’t be left with no energy and no pep. Jump-start your day! Add peppermint to your shampoo and conditioner to stimulate the scalp, energize and wake up! The oil is antiseptic in nature and can also help remove dandruff (and lice).

6.     Soak and revitalize. After a long day, apply peppermint, let it seep in and then soak in a warm bath or shower. The refreshing peppermint vapor will make you feel cool, refreshed and re-energized.

7.     Add a refreshing kick to your tea.  Just one drop of peppermint oil can add life to any herbal tea (without needing to add loads of sugar) while also aiding in digestion or helping to relieve heartburn.

8.     Other cool beverages. Peppermint water on ice, peppermint mocha cafe, peppermint tea, peppermint hot chocolate, that’s right…make all drinks cooler and more delicious. Great for summertime or any time!

9.     Awaken your mind.  Peppermint oil activates the limbic function in your brain.  The limbic system controls things like emotions, long-term memory and the olfactory structures in your nose.

                                    

10. Perk up. The invigorating aroma of peppermint is a magnificent, non-stimulating way to perk up on long drives, in school, during late night homework marathons or any other time you’re “burning the midnight oil.” It helps kick that lethargic brain fog and has been known to improve blood circulation and awareness to leave you with a more energized and awake feeling.

11. Stop the itch. Sunburned skin can sometimes leave that after effect where the skin is a little warm and itchy. Simply apply a drop of peppermint oil (also can mix with lavender oil) to cool, soothe and stop the itching.

12. Travel to the Arctic, in the heat of summer. When you add a few drops of peppermint to your ice water, it not only improves the taste, but also leaves you with a feeling like a cool, refreshing arctic wind just swept your airways!

Cool down this summer with these cool new ways to use peppermint. 

Dena DaSilva (Las Vegas, NV/Riviera Maya, Mexico) is a health and wellness, eco-living and travel writer, active in sharing her research, experiences and knowledge on a variety of these topics. Born into a very health-conscious and fitness-crazed family, this fun-loving energetic beach lover and avid traveler has a natural passion for all things promoting health, wellness, eco-conscious living and travel. She earned two BA degrees at West Virginia University and an MBA with an emphasis in Marketing and International Business from Pepperdine University Graziadio School of Business and Management.