Peppermint, Mentha piperita, is from the Lamiacea (mint) Family. Peppermint is a volatile oil. Volatile oils carry other plant components throughout the body, stimulate body tissues as an irritant, act as antiseptics, act as a relaxant, increase saliva peristalsis and perspiration, or stimulate the heart muscle.

Peppermint is useful for the muscular system, digestive system, respiratory system, and women’s reproductive system. It can be used for skin concerns, pain relief, children’s health, and for winter illnesses. It is an agent that induces gallbladder contraction and breaks down secretions.

Personal Story

One of my favorite things to do in the summer is to walk out to my deck garden, snip off some peppermint stems, and make peppermint tea. I love to add a drop of honey and drink it either hot or iced. Yum! Iced peppermint tea is a refreshing beverage to drink on a hot day.

Medicinal Uses

Some medical uses that are supported by clinical studies include: reducing airway hyper-responsiveness in asthma, nausea after an operation nausea, Irritable Bowel Syndrome Symptoms (IBS), non-ulcer dyspepsia, and topical use as an analgesic for headaches. The best form of peppermint for IBS is peppermint oil capsules, because they have been clinically proven to help IBS in children and adults.

Peppermint is used traditionally for: digestive disorders, respiratory disorders, nervous disorders, and topically for headaches.

Safety

Peppermint is Class 1, which means there are no adverse effects expected in pregnancy or lactation.

Use During Pregnancy: Peppermint is one of the herbs I feel comfortable using during the first trimester. Organic peppermint is a herb I have had in small amounts as a tea when I was pregnant. Peppermint leaf is helpful in relieving flatulence and nausea/morning sickness.

How to Grow Peppermint

The plant grows twenty-four inches tall from cuttings or root divisions. It is a spreading herb, so one must space plants twelve inches apart. It needs moderate watering so it doesn’t go crazy with its spreading. Planting next to yarrow also helps control its spread. It can also be grown alone in a container. Peppermint likes full sun, partial sun, or shade and has no special needs for its soil. Harvest the aerial parts with scissors anytime in the growing season.

How to Make Peppermint Tea

Here is how to make peppermint tea from fresh or dried leaves:

1. In a canning jar, pour a quart of boiling water over about thirty fresh peppermint leaves or 4 teaspoons of dried peppermint leaves and screw the lid tightly.
2. Let it steep for three to five minutes.
3. Serve the tea as is or with some honey or stevia.
4. For iced tea, add ice cubes.
5. One could drink up to four to five cups of peppermint tea per day.

Other Culinary Uses

You can also try peppermint like this:

• Chop leaves and add to a pasta or leafy green salad.
• Freeze sprigs for use in baking mint-flavored cookie or other baked products.

I hope you enjoy a cup of peppermint tea soon. I know I will!

May God bless your healthful endeavors!

Joni

P.S. Please encourage others by writing about how you use peppermint in the comment section above.