Peppermint

Peppermint

While peppermint and spearmint are most frequently used for medicinal purposes, there are other members of the mint family that you can call on if needed. Peppermint is usually the first choice, however, so that is the herb we’ll be discussing here.

Peppermint – Tea

Peppermint is wonderful in tea… hot or cold. Adding a little peppermint to medicine makes it much more palatable for children. Peppermint is also well-known for its ability to relieve stomach problems. You may have heard an older relative recommend peppermint for a baby fussing with colic, for example. There is good reason behind this.
Peppermint works wonders with stomach issues, whether it is colicky babies or a bloated feeling in children or adults. It soothes almost any problem related to digestion, and is particularly useful for painful indigestion. Peppermint can ease stomach pains and discomfort due to gas. It helps the body to expel the gas, relieving the problem of pressure, which is usually what is causing the discomfort and bloated feeling.

Got a headache, but can’t find the aspirin? Grab a bit of peppermint. This versatile herb can also be used as an alternative to coffee, because like coffee, it is a stimulant, but it contains no caffeine.

Peppermint – Cold & Flu

During cold and flu season, keep peppermint on hand to relieve fevers. It can also help with related issues of diarrhea and gastrointestinal issues like nausea and vomiting. In general, peppermint is great for soothing any symptoms you may experience with a cold or flu. Peppermint can also be useful if you suffer from bronchitis, chills from the flu, cold symptoms, digestive upset, fever, dizziness, stomach aches, vomiting, bloating and ulcers.

For small children and babies, it is easy to give them a dose of peppermint by melting a tiny bit of old fashioned peppermint candy in a bottle of water. Alternatively, if you have peppermint tea, just make a weak tea solution, and then dilute it with a little more water.

The tea can be given either full strength or diluted for adults… of if they prefer, they can enjoy the peppermint candy, too.