"Enhances our receptive capacities on the mental and spiritual level, instills inspiration and insight. Said to bring dreams of prophecy and develop emotional tolerance."
While growing up, mint tea was always my favorite tea. I loved it when I had stomach-aches or even common head aches. It was the tea of choice between myself and my friends when dressing up for our little tea parties and, to this day, I eat peppermint candies, which oftentimes helps me during my menstrual pains.
Mint can be used for a great many things which I will touch upon in this issue. But first I would like to share with you information on the legends of peppermint by Kylie Thompson (2007).
The Legends of Peppermint
Peppermint is native to the Mediterranean region. The Ebers Papyrus mentions the use of peppermint as a stomach soother. Peppermint was one of the plants mentioned in recipes for liturgical perfumes found on the walls of the Temple of Horus at Edfou in Egypt. Peppermint spread from Egypt to Palestine, where it was accepted as payment for taxes. Such use for mint is recorded in the Bible (Luke, 11:39), which says "you pay tithes of mint and rue…but you have no care for justice and love of God".
From the holy land, mint spread to Greece and is recorded in Greek mythology in the legend of Minthe. In the legend, Pluto, the God of the dead, fell in love with the beautiful nymph, Minthe. Persephone, Pluto's Goddess wife, was so jealous of Pluto's infatuations with Minthe that she changed Minthe into the plant mint. Pluto could not restore her back to her human form, but he managed to give her plant form the fragrant aroma associated with mint. The word 'minthe' evolved into mint's genus name of 'Mentha'.
The Greek and Roman housewives added mint to milk to prevent it from spoiling. Mint was served after meals as an aid to digestion. Both the Chinese and the Ayurvedic physicians of India used mint as a digestive aid, as a tonic, and as a treatment for coughs, colds, and fevers. In ancient Greece and Rome, peppermint adorned the tables of feasts and people crowned themselves with peppermint. Peppermint was also used to flavor wine and was added to bathwater for its restorative properties. Dioscorides, an ancient Greek physician, considered mint to be a 'heating' herb and therefore a promoter of lustful feelings. Pliny, the Roman naturalist, wrote that mint "...reanimates the spirite". He suggested that mint be hung in sickrooms to assist convalescence.
Peppermint was introduced into Europe and Britain by the Romans, where it became popular as a strewing herb for freshening rooms and also as an insect repellent. It was first recorded in England by Nicholas Culpeper, an herbalist of the 17th century, who wrote of mint being a digestive aid and helpful to "wind and colic". Culpeper disagreed with Dioscorides' view of mint being a promoter of lust. He believed it had the opposite effects in such matters. Victorian homemakers added peppermint to hot water for mopping floors in order to remove negativity.
Scientific Name: (Mentha piperita)
Family: Lamiaceae/Labiatae
Part Used: Leaves
Energy/Flavor: Mild/sweet
Used For: Colds/flu, migraines, cramps, muscle pains, gas, fevers.
Peppermint was created by the mints 'spearmint' and 'watermint'. It was originally found in the central and southern parts of Europe. Peppermint stands 30-70 cm tall.
The stems look smooth and square instead of having the common roundness of most plants. The leaves are from 4-9 cm long and 1.5-4 cm broad and are dark green with reddish veins. The leaves also look crinkled with ridged edges. The flowers are purple, 6-8 mm long, and they are found circling the stem, forming thick, blunt spikes. Flowering occurs from July to September.
What is it Good For?Peppermint is commonly known to cure stomach aches, gas, and nausea. It can also be used for intestinal cramps and is to used for colic in babies. Due to its cooling effect, peppermint has been used as a healing agent for muscle cramps, reducing pain, burning sensations, and even inflammation.
When using the essential oils, be sure to water it down so as not to cause irritation to the skin. Other uses of peppermint include treatment for insect bites, eczema, and other itching lesions. As I've stated in the first of this chapter, it is very good for headaches.
Herbal UsePeppermint can be found in a great deal of products. Toothpaste, mouth wash, breath mints, hair and facial care products, and much more. The common use of this herb would be in the following:
Infusions- Peppermint infusions are best to use for muscle cramps, aches and pains, and skin irritation.
Essential Oils- Peppermint oil is great for headaches, bug bites and stings, rashes, and decongestion.
Peppermint is generally a safe herb, but some may have allergic reactions to this herb. Some of the more common side effects are headaches, stomach aches, and skin rashes. You should avoid peppermint if you have gallbladder infections or advanced liver disease. If you are pregnant or nursing, only take peppermint in small dosages as it may decrease milk production. Call your doctor if you experience any of these side effects or feel there is something wrong while taking this herb.
ReferenceThompson, K. (2007). History, myths, and legends of Aromatherapy, Part 2: Peppermint. Retrieved from http://aromaticamedica.tripod.com/id23.html