It’s Peppermint season! From candy canes to candles or spiking your favorite hot chocolate recipes, Peppermint is a well known herb for the winter season. But beyond it’s seasonal goodness, Peppermint offers some real health benefits. Read on for a few of the health benefits you’ll gain from including peppermint in your natural medicine cabinet.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Boosts Energy<\/span><\/strong><\/h4>\n

The scent of peppermint is invigorating and can provide a wake up to your senses. For a quick morning start, fill your oil diffuser\u00a0with some peppermint and the refreshing scent will give you a lift to get you going. You can\u00a0also try combining citrus or other mint scents to improve your focus and\u00a0concentration.<\/span><\/p>\n

Relieves Pain and Congestion<\/span><\/strong><\/h4>\n

Peppermint’s fresh scent helps to open sinus passages, relieving sinus pain and congestion. For tooth pain, peppermint can be used topically combined in a paste with coconut oil as the base.<\/span><\/p>\n

For sore muscles and joints, mix peppermint essential oil with a carrier oil and apply to the area. If you prefer, you can also grind fresh peppermint leaves, again mixed with a carrier oil like coconut oil or sweet almond oil, then massaged into aching muscles.<\/span><\/p>\n

Relaxes Muscles<\/span><\/strong><\/h4>\n

The menthol in peppermint is a natural muscle relaxant, making it the perfect before bed tea. Peppermint tea relieves stress and anxiety, and contains no caffeine.\u00a0To make a good tea, use 1 tablespoon dried leaves. If you want to use fresh leaves, make sure to crush them before allowing them to simmer in boiling water for two minutes.<\/span><\/p>\n

Another way to take advantage of Peppermint’s relaxing effects is to add a few drops to your bath water.\u00a0On the\u00a0days when the muscle tension is the worst, a nice warm bath with the oils should \u00a0offer relief.<\/span><\/p>\n

Improves Digestion<\/span><\/strong><\/h4>\n

Peppermint enhances digestion by increasing the production of bile.\u00a0The leaves can be consumed raw as a salad or crushed and mixed with tea leaves for a restorative cup of mint tea.<\/span><\/p>\n

Peppermint is also ideal for anyone dealing with digestive or\u00a0stomach problems. It can calm symptoms from medical conditions like IBS, acid reflux, or diverticulitis, or\u00a0simple digestive problems from a sour stomach. Adding crushed leaves or essential oil to a peppermint ginger tea will also help to soothe nausea.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Keep in mind<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n

Most health food stores sell peppermint essential oil. Always use with a carrier oil, and if you’ll be using in food, make sure it’s organic and food grade. However, if you suffer from GERD, please ask your health professional before adding to your diet. Since this herb does relax muscles, it could increase your symptoms.<\/span><\/p>\n

A long history<\/span><\/strong><\/h4>\n

Whether using fresh or dried, as a tea, or the essential oil, the mint family of plants has a long history of healing. I’ve offered just a few of my favorite ways to take advantage of Peppermint’s healing benefits, and I’m sure there are many more. I hope you’ll find Peppermint a helpful addition to your natural medicine cabinet.<\/span><\/p>\n

Be Sure to Sign Up~<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n

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This information is presented as entertainment and not meant to diagnose or treat any illness or disease. Always consult your medical professional before adding new routines or anything new to your diet.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/a>More Health & Wellness<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n

Read about\u00a03 healing herbs for the cold and flu<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

Learn about the\u00a0Healing benefits of Chamomile<\/strong><\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Check out my <\/span>Best at Every Age<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0series<\/span>
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Sources:<\/span><\/p>\n

nccih.nih.gov <\/a><\/span>
\nacmicrob.com<\/a><\/span>
\nhealthline.com<\/a><\/span>
\nnaturopathy-uk.com<\/a><\/span>
\nmotherearthliving.com<\/a><\/span>
\nwholelisticliving.com<\/a><\/span>
\ndrweil.com<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

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