Nutritionally, peppermint offers vitamins A and C, iron, potassium, fiber, and it’s low in calories. Its refreshing flavor and cooling sensation make it a popular ingredient in many products like mouthwash, toothpaste, soap, and ointment. Whether you get it from your local farmer’s market, grow it in your own herb garden, or buy a supplement, peppermint leaf provides numerous health benefits.
Benefits of Peppermint
Peppermint Leaf Fights Harmful Organisms
Peppermint and its compounds, including menthol, help defend against various harmful organisms. It’s been tested against head lice, fungi, and even intestinal worms in goats, all showing positive results.
Peppermint Supports Digestive Health
Peppermint has been appreciated as a digestive aid for centuries. Recent studies confirm that peppermint tea can help relieve indigestion. For those with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), which can cause abdominal discomfort, gas, and diarrhea, peppermint leaf oil may provide relief.
Peppermint Promotes Respiratory Health
Peppermint supports lung health and respiratory function. It may even enhance lung function during exercise. Studies have shown that healthy males who consumed peppermint-infused mineral water experienced increased respiratory rates and improved running performance, likely due to higher oxygen concentration and lower blood lactate levels.
Peppermint Leaf & Oral Health
Peppermint is a common ingredient in toothpaste, mouthwash, and floss. Beyond its minty flavor that keeps your mouth fresh, it promotes oral health by deterring plaque and supporting gum health. Peppermint may also inhibit the growth of harmful organisms in the mouth.
Peppermint Leaf, Headaches, & Stress
With its cooling sensation, peppermint is a popular natural remedy for tension-type headaches, the most common type. Some reports suggest that peppermint oil can relieve headaches as effectively as aspirin or acetaminophen. Additionally, peppermint’s soothing properties make it a recommended option for stress and anxiety relief in aromatherapy.
Peppermint & the Liver
Peppermint may support liver function by promoting bile flow, which aids in fat digestion and helps maintain normal cholesterol levels, thus reducing the liver’s workload. Compounds in peppermint leaf may also protect the liver from certain toxins. While more research is needed, early studies on peppermint’s liver health benefits are promising.
Other Benefits of Peppermint Leaf
Peppermint tea, one of the most popular herbal teas globally, contains antioxidants. Traditional folk medicine recommends peppermint for relieving discomfort, a claim supported by research. Peppermint also has a relaxing effect on smooth muscle tissue, which can be beneficial in various situations, such as soothing a sore throat or calming colonic spasms during barium enemas. Some studies suggest that certain compounds in peppermint may promote normal cell growth and development.
How to Grow Your Own Peppermint
Peppermint is a fantastic addition to an organic herb garden. It repels insects and requires minimal care. Once established, peppermint grows rapidly, sometimes too easily. True peppermint is not grown from seeds because it is a hybrid plant and most peppermint plants are sterile. Unscrupulous sellers may offer “peppermint seeds,” but these either won’t germinate or aren’t true peppermint. If they do germinate, the resulting plant may not have the same taste, smell, or therapeutic properties.
True peppermint is grown from cuttings. You can find cuttings at your local garden shop or from a friend with a peppermint plant. Perform a taste test on a leaf first. The plant you grow will be a clone of the original and should taste the same.
Plant the cuttings in early spring when the temperature is at least 65°F (~18°C). If it’s colder, start the cuttings indoors and move them outside once they reach 10 cm in height. Peppermint prefers moist, well-drained soil and full or partial sunlight. The plants will grow about one to two feet in height and cover the ground. Like most mint species, peppermint is invasive and can take over your garden. To prevent this, many gardeners grow peppermint in containers or enclosed areas to control root spread.
Peppermint leaves can be harvested as soon as they start growing. The new leaves have the best flavor. When harvesting, leave at least one-third of the plant intact. The essential oils are most potent when harvested in the morning after the dew has dried. Dry the leaves quickly after harvesting to prevent mold. Air-dry peppermint by tying the stems into bunches and hanging them upside down in a paper bag in a cool, dry place. After two weeks, the herbs will be dry and ready to store. If stored in an airtight container, the herb should remain fresh for up to three years.
Using Peppermint Leaf
Peppermint leaf can be used in many ways. Add the leaves to salads or make peppermint tea. Adding peppermint leaves to purified water is cooling and refreshing. Chewing peppermint leaves is a natural way to freshen breath.
Peppermint as a Supplement
If you want the benefits of peppermint leaf without the hassle of growing or preparing it yourself, peppermint oils and peppermint leaf extract are great alternatives. Global Healing offers a range of products containing high-quality, organic peppermint extract. Their Lung Health product supports respiratory health, and Liver Health promotes optimal liver function, both harnessing the power of peppermint and other organic herbs to support your health.
