Peppermint

Description of Peppermint

Peppermint is one of the most famous herbs in the world. It is grown everywhere and is used to flavour almost anything. It comes from Asia and the wider Mediterranean region. The name mint comes from the Latin mentha, which in turn comes from the ancient Greek menthi. It is also found under the name heydosmosis.

The mint we know is a hybrid of a natural cross between menta aquatica (water mint) and menta spicata (spearmint) and has been known since early antiquity for its medicinal and deodorant properties. It is a perennial, herbaceous and aromatic plant of the temperate family of lianas. It has characteristic square stems with wrinkled, lance-shaped leaves and small pink or white flowers that bloom in mid-summer.

Its cultivation and maintenance are very easy, as mint propagates very quickly through underground rhizomes. However, to keep the plant under control, you can grow it in pots. Sow in spring or take root cuttings or divide clumps. Mint likes rich, moist soil, lots of sun or dappled shade in warm areas.

Mint can thrive in a variety of climates and soils. An optimum growing temperature for mint is 17° C and, when regularly irrigated, it can withstand high summer temperatures. Mint is very demanding on water and in very hot weather, so the crop may need three waterings a week.

The leaves should be harvested when the plant matures. You can collect the leaves and also the whole shoots when they are still young and fresh.

Ingredients

Peppermint has up to 2% essential oil (containing menthol, menthone and jasmon), tannins and a bitter element. It contains vitamin A, C, B12, B3 and folic acid, magnesium and iron, calcium and manganese. Mint is an excellent source of minerals such as potassium. 100 grams of fresh mint provide 569 mg of potassium.

What are its properties?

• -Can have a positive effect on the symptoms of poly-cystic ovarian syndrome.
• -To treat diarrhea, gastric fever or toxic infections.
• -It is said to help memory, for this reason, it is recommended in times of examinations.
• -It is antispasmodic. It calms the smooth muscle that runs through the digestive tract, reducing muscle spasms.
• -For digestive problems, it helps people suffering from irritable bowel syndrome.
• -Can help in treating ulcers and stimulating bile secretions.
• -Proclinical research suggests that peppermint protects against DNA damage caused by radiation and cell death.
• -In the symptoms of colds and flu by releasing into respiratory passages and the respiratory tract.
• -It is helpful in headaches.
• -A 2009 study found that inhaling peppermint essential oil had the ability to rapidly reduce the inflammation of tuberculosis.
• -It is known for its soothing properties against pains and insect poisoning.
• -It helps in nasal allergies and is recommended in cases of asthma, bronchitis and influenza, due to its antispasmodic and sedative properties.
• -sinusitis can be treated with peppermint, because menthol stimulates the nasal mucous membrane.
• -Mint appears to have protective properties in cancer patients undergoing radiation.
• -Laboratory research has shown that it kills the oral and genital herpes virus.
• -Mint acts as a powerful antioxidant, protecting the body from the formation of cancer cells.
• -It also acts as a mild sedative and has soothing properties.
• -Used in the treatment of ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease.
• -It relieves minor or major aches and pains, such as muscle cramps and sprains.
• -Limits nausea and the tendency to vomit. Helps relieve pregnancy vomiting and travel nausea.
• -Provides a cooling sensation to the skin in minor burns, itching, and for common skin irritations.
• -Clears the skin of blackheads and acne, thanks to its antibacterial action.
• -In dysmenorrhea, it relieves pain and reduces the associated tension.
• -It is an excellent blood purifier.
• -Against bad breath.
• -Externally, it can be used to relieve itching and inflammation.
• -Mint oil, applied to the back of the head, alleviates the problems of mental fatigue, anxiety, depressive states and headaches.
• -It is a powerful stimulant and tonic. It stimulates the nerves that perceive cold and reduces the transmission of pain.
• -Mint essential oil is used for gargling in cases of tonsillitis, gingivitis and inflammation of the nasopharynx.
• -Recommended for the treatment of rheumatism, for disinfecting the mouth and in cases of ear inflammation.

 

In the digestive system

Effectively relieves a variety of digestive problems. Helps in indigestion, flatulence, colic, diarrhea. Capsules of the essential oil are used to treat irritable bowel syndrome. It removes the feeling of vomiting and nausea in travelers or pregnant women.

In colds

It is ideal to be used for inhalation in cases of nasal congestion and runny nose from colds and flu.

In massage

It tones and helps in cases of sore muscles and joints or in scabies and dermatophytes (fungal skin infection).

In the teeth

Cleans, whitens, has antiseptic action, helps with toothache.

Mild antispasmodic

Relieves dysmenorrhea and matralgia. It is recommended in headache , migraine, vertigo and insomnia.

Aphrodisiac

It has a significant aphrodisiac effect, but requires that it be consumed in very large quantities, because in small doses it has the opposite effect.