Peppermint, from the Latin name Mentha piperita, grows very well in gardens everywhere and is known as one of the oldest household remedies. It is often referred to as the world's oldest medicine. Its other common names are brandy mint, balm mint, curled mint, and lamb mint.
One of the great benefits of peppermint are the several important vitamins and minerals it contains. These vitamins and minerals include omega-3 fatty acids, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, iron, magnesium, potassium, folate, calcium, copper, and manganese. The leaves of the peppermint plant are used for making teas, and oil is extracted from the plant and used in several different ways.
Peppermint is known worldwide for its medicinal properties. Some medicinal benefits of peppermint include strengthening the heart and the circulatory system, while promoting healthy blood flow. It can be drunk in place of coffee and tea as a stimulant.
Peppermint has been used over the years for colic and has aided in lowering fevers. It has helped with dizziness and alleviated headaches. Peppermint lessens nausea, helps control vomiting, and can be used to treat motion sickness.
Aside from those examples, other benefits of peppermint include aiding with digestive problems. The mint leaves are sometimes eaten after a meal to avoid indigestion. It is often recommended for those diagnosed with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). Peppermint has been known to help lessen symptoms for IBS and sometimes eliminate the symptoms of IBS altogether.
Peppermint is full of different menthol properties. These specific properties have a cool and relaxing effect on the skin. Peppermint is often found in chest rubs to help with respiratory problems such as nasal congestion, sinusitis, bronchitis, and chest colds. The effects of chest rubs are only temporary, thus requiring the person to reapply the rub to the skin as often as needed.
Some other benefits of peppermint are its antiseptic properties. Those properties aid in freshening bad breath and killing germs on the gums, teeth, and tongue in a person's mouth. Peppermint can often be found in shampoos, soaps, toothpastes, mouthwashes, and even sometimes cigarettes.
Peppermint seems to have a desirable smell and a pleasant taste for just about anyone who tries it. For that reason, it is widely used as a flavoring in many baked goods and several different candies and ice creams. It is used medicinally and often drunk in different teas across the world. Many people thoroughly enjoy the full benefits that peppermint has to offer.