Peppermint [Mentha piperita]
This perennial plant is a source of essential oil that contains organic compounds such as menthol and menthone. These and other compounds confer the characteristic aroma of mint. Full nutrition information for peppermint is available here.
Grow
The plant is indigenous to Europe and the Middle East, but it is now grown everywhere. I cultivate it as a perennial in my garden in zone 5, U.S. The plant grows almost under any conditions (shade and sun), and it could be invasive; therefore, if you do not want it to spread too much, grow it in a pot.
Harvest and store
For cooking, collect the leaves, wash, and dry on paper towels or old window screens until the herb is ready to be “crumbled” into powder. To do this, take a few dry leaves between the palms of your hands, and crush the material with circular rubbing motions. Store in glass jars at room temperature. My friends freeze the leaves instead; however, since I use tons of mint for cooking, I find it easier to use the powder.
Medicinal uses of peppermint
Mint has been used to sooth abdominal pain, indigestion, and bloating. These effects might be in part attributed to herb’s ability to relax the colon muscles and reduce the gastrocolic reflex (the urge to defecate after a meal), according to this video by Dr. Michael Greger.
More interestingly, mint might be the only effective means to alleviate irritable bowel syndrome without any side effects. Considering that one in seven Americans suffer from the condition (diagnosed or not), this is a useful fact to know. Peppermint is applied also against nausea and vomiting. Evidently, mint not only soothes the gastrointestinal system, as it is recommended for alleviating depression and anxiety. Also, the herb has anti-fungal properties; thus, once or twice daily application of mint essential oil heals nail fungal infections. These and additional medical applications of mint are summarized in The Power of Peppermint: 21 Health Benefits Revealed.
Cosmetics with mint
To fight bad breath, try this mouthwash recipe, according to which a few drops of peppermint oil and a pinch of baking soda in a small amount of water can cleanse your mouth after a 60-second swish. Make a summer mint spray to cool yourself, as menthol activates cold-sensitive skin receptors and has a cooling sensation. More applications of mint for skin and hair are offered here. For skin health this website recommends a toner that reduces skin pores: use a cup of boiling water over 3 tablespoons chopped fresh mint leaves and the peel of an orange. Let the infusion cool, strain, and add a tablespoon witch hazel. Use it in a spray bottle. Another recipe for facial cleanser and toner uses fresh mint, apple cider vinegar, and witch hazel all diluted with water.
To make your own peppermint body scrub watch how James Wong prepares one on Grow Your Own Medicine 4 Herbs, minute 24. Mint can also make a great shampoo, according to this advice, all you need is peppermint oil, olive oil, baking soda and some aloe vera gel.
Other uses
Insect repellent: this past summer there were days when I could not last more than 15 minutes in my garden since I was attacked by armies of mosquitoes. This is why I was excited to find a recipe for an insect repellent that consists of witch hazel and a few drops of essential oils (lemon grass, citronella, peppermint, and tea tree). Also, try this peppermint hand soap recipe from a great blog.
Cooking with peppermint
Mint can make refreshing flavored water for the summer: just add a few fresh mint leaves and a bit of lemon to a jug of cold water, and let it infuse in the refrigerator for a few hours before serving. Since mint alleviates bloating/gas, all my recipes with beans and lentils include a handful of dry mint.
I have never made my own mint extract, but after considering the preparation of flavored chocolates, I found this recipe for mint extract. All you need is to chop the clean leaves into a glass jar and completely cover them vodka. Keep the jar out of sunlight, shake it daily for minimum of 6 weeks, strain and enjoy. If you need more exact directions, watch this excellent video on how to extract herbs with alcohols.
Resources
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peppermint
http://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/spices-and-herbs/225/2
http://www.naturalnews.com/048872_peppermint_oil_personal_care_cosmetic_benefits.html
http://www.home-remedies-site.com/tips/natural-remedies-mint.htm
http://www.naturalnews.com/048872_peppermint_oil_personal_care_cosmetic_benefits.html
http://commonsensehome.com/easy-chocolate-mint-extract/
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2013/10/14/peppermint-health-benefits.aspx
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f2aVum_7kWs
http://health.howstuffworks.com/wellness/natural-medicine/herbal-remedies/peppermint-herbal-remedies.htm
Mint has been used to sooth abdominal pain, indigestion, and bloating. These effects might be in part attributed to herb’s ability to relax the colon muscles and reduce the gastrocolic reflex (the urge to defecate after a meal), according to this video by Dr. Michael Greger.
More interestingly, mint might be the only effective means to alleviate irritable bowel syndrome without any side effects. Considering that one in seven Americans suffer from the condition (diagnosed or not), this is a useful fact to know. Peppermint is applied also against nausea and vomiting. Evidently, mint not only soothes the gastrointestinal system, as it is recommended for alleviating depression and anxiety. Also, the herb has anti-fungal properties; thus, once or twice daily application of mint essential oil heals nail fungal infections. These and additional medical applications of mint are summarized in The Power of Peppermint: 21 Health Benefits Revealed.
Cosmetics with mint
To fight bad breath, try this mouthwash recipe, according to which a few drops of peppermint oil and a pinch of baking soda in a small amount of water can cleanse your mouth after a 60-second swish. Make a summer mint spray to cool yourself, as menthol activates cold-sensitive skin receptors and has a cooling sensation. More applications of mint for skin and hair are offered here. For skin health this website recommends a toner that reduces skin pores: use a cup of boiling water over 3 tablespoons chopped fresh mint leaves and the peel of an orange. Let the infusion cool, strain, and add a tablespoon witch hazel. Use it in a spray bottle. Another recipe for facial cleanser and toner uses fresh mint, apple cider vinegar, and witch hazel all diluted with water.
To make your own peppermint body scrub watch how James Wong prepares one on Grow Your Own Medicine 4 Herbs, minute 24. Mint can also make a great shampoo, according to this advice, all you need is peppermint oil, olive oil, baking soda and some aloe vera gel.
Other uses
Insect repellent: this past summer there were days when I could not last more than 15 minutes in my garden since I was attacked by armies of mosquitoes. This is why I was excited to find a recipe for an insect repellent that consists of witch hazel and a few drops of essential oils (lemon grass, citronella, peppermint, and tea tree). Also, try this peppermint hand soap recipe from a great blog.
Cooking with peppermint
Mint can make refreshing flavored water for the summer: just add a few fresh mint leaves and a bit of lemon to a jug of cold water, and let it infuse in the refrigerator for a few hours before serving. Since mint alleviates bloating/gas, all my recipes with beans and lentils include a handful of dry mint.
I have never made my own mint extract, but after considering the preparation of flavored chocolates, I found this recipe for mint extract. All you need is to chop the clean leaves into a glass jar and completely cover them vodka. Keep the jar out of sunlight, shake it daily for minimum of 6 weeks, strain and enjoy. If you need more exact directions, watch this excellent video on how to extract herbs with alcohols.
Resources
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peppermint
http://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/spices-and-herbs/225/2
http://www.naturalnews.com/048872_peppermint_oil_personal_care_cosmetic_benefits.html
http://www.home-remedies-site.com/tips/natural-remedies-mint.htm
http://www.naturalnews.com/048872_peppermint_oil_personal_care_cosmetic_benefits.html
http://commonsensehome.com/easy-chocolate-mint-extract/
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2013/10/14/peppermint-health-benefits.aspx
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f2aVum_7kWs
http://health.howstuffworks.com/wellness/natural-medicine/herbal-remedies/peppermint-herbal-remedies.htm
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