Peppermint (Mentha piperita)
Peppermint comes from a plant that can grow from 2 to 3 feet tall with fragrant dark green leaves. The peppermint plant is native in Asia and in Europe as well as in parts of Northern America where there is moist and the climate is temperate. Peppermint is used as a natural food flavoring in teas, toothpastes and gum but aside from these, peppermint is also used as an herbal remedy for a variety of medical conditions.
Peppermint has been used as a natural treatment for a variety of gastrointestinal conditions like upset stomach, indigestion, diarrhea, nausea, irritable bowel and flatulence. It has an antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral effect and is therefore effective in the treatment of symptoms of the common cold, skin conditions and fungi. Peppermint has a numbing effect and could therefore help in reducing a variety of aches and pains. Peppermint is so aromatic it may help improve memory and enhance mental alertness. Peppermint oil which is made from the leaves of the peppermint plant is effective in reducing joint and muscle pains.
What makes peppermint an effective treatment of muscle and joint pains as well as other medical conditions is its high menthol content. Peppermint oil contains about 7 to 48% of menthol and the rest is menthone and menthyl esters. Menthol activates special receptors in the skin as well as the mucosal tissues that results in a cooling and analgesic effect.
Peppermint oil is combined with other essential oils in the treatment of pain and inflammation of the muscles and joints. These oils are often used to create ointments, balms, salves and liniments. Peppermint oil may be directly applied on skin and it may also be taken as tea. Peppermint is one of the most popular herbal medications used in natural or traditional treatments for a variety of illnesses and medical conditions.
References:
Retrieved from https://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/herb/peppermint
Peppermint Oil Uses, Benefits, Effects, and More. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/peppermint-oil-uses-benefits-effects
Peppermint- Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. (n.d.). Retrieved May 22, 2014, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peppermint
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