Peppermint (Mentha piperita) Herb
Updated: Jun 15, 2022
Folklore
Greeks and Romans crowned themselves with Peppermint at their feasts and adorned their tables with its sprays. Their cooks flavored both the sauces and the wines with its essence. History reveals that two main species of mint were used by past Greek physicians. Mint piperita was popularly cultivated and used by the Egyptians.
Physical Attributes & Grow-Care
The mint family is a creeping perennial. Mint prefers full sun with light shade, in moist poorly drained soil. The flowers are a soft purple color, which buds at the top of the plant. The green leaves that are wonderfully refreshing, giving a minty fragrance. Note: Mint can grow aggressively and take over a garden, so be sure to plant mint in a location where it has plenty of room to grow and you have space to get in and prune the plant.
Healing Properties
Peppermint is used by many as a respiratory decongestant.
Aromatherapy: Refreshing & cooling. A nice addition to any essential oil blend used to help purify and freshen the air.
The menthol component in mint can help ease muscular aches.
The essential oil, herb (often in tea form or lozenge form) has been used in post Chemotherapy to calm nausea.
Mint is a digestive tonic - Try it in tea form.
The essential oil of peppermint is used in Raindrop Therapy as one of the oils applied to spine and feet, to help overall health and wellbeing.
Growing, Harvesting, Drying
Only harvest when in flowering stage. Take only the top third of the plant. It will re-grow on its own, in strength.Pick the herb around 10am in order to visit it when it holds the least amount of moisture. Harvest it within 30 minutes if picking to keep it dry and potent.Dry the plant in a bag with paper towels to cover. Dry, hanging it upside down.Use tinted glass for storage of herbs (amber, green, blue) to protect from UV rays.
The Making & Using of the Oil
Blend/infuse peppermint with extra virgin olive oil- 1st, cold, pressed. * Hint: The greener the olive oil, the better. Take the dried herb and crush it. Place in glass bottle. Take olive oil and pour over herb until completely covered (about ½ inch over the top of herb). Cover/seal the jar. Swirl the mixture around, and do so daily. Label it. Date it. Set jar in sun for 6 weeks. After the 6 weeks, strain the oil out with a stainless steel strainer or cheesecloth. Store the oil in a cool, dry place. This infusion should be good for up to 2 years if kept cool and away from sun/light. Use oil on areas of muscular pain, rub into belly for digestive stimulation, place on pulse points (inside of wrists/ behind ears) to ease nausea, and rub into chest to assist breathing and for relief of respiratory issues.
The Making & Using of the Tincture
Use 100 proof vodka (brand does not matter). Add dried mint to a mason jar. Cover the mint with alcohol (just like you did with the oil). DO NOT set this tincture in the sun. Keep cool and let sit 2-3 weeks. Tinctures can be used in any liquids - tea, coffee, soup, juice, water. Do not exceed 50 drops of tincture a day.
Do not want to make your own mint tonics? No problem! Try these natural minty products to help manage health & wellbeing:
Dr. Bronner's Pure Castile Liquid Soap Peppermint 64 fl oz (This is for everything washable- from hand soap to laundry soap)! ~ https://bit.ly/39nTcKe
Yogi Organic Herbal Tea Caffeine Free Purely Peppermint 16 Tea Bags (Helps with tummy aches and digestion) ~ https://bit.ly/3QjUaYG
Ancient Nutrition Apothecary Organic Peppermint Oil 0.5 oz (one of my favorite oils of all time- so cooling and therapeutic to tired muscles)! ~ https://bit.ly/3QnhNje
How will you use the herb of Peppermint?
In Grace,
Cara
Disclaimer: This information is intended for educational purposes only, and NOT intended as medical health care claims, cures, or therapies. Please consult with your doctor/specialist if you have any health concerns or questions about herbal medicine.
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