If there’s any scent, flavor or aroma that screams Christmas, it’s peppermint.  From the ubiquitous candy cane to coffee brews, individually wrapped lollipops to mint-infused ice cream and cookies, the world is painted peppermint each holiday season.

How peppermint got intertwined with Christmastime is a matter of debate.  In fact, most would argue that the only reason peppermint is tied to Christmas is because of its association with the candy cane, which some argue is symbolic of Jesus (e.g. the candy cane’s “J” shape is meant to resemble the “J” in Jesus; the red stripes of the candy cane are meant to represent the lashings he sustained before His Crucifixion).

What can’t be argued is peppermint’s pervasiveness this time of year.  And, truth be told, we are all the beneficiaries, as peppermint’s health benefits are about as rich in history as jolly old Saint Nick.

Peppermint’s Peppered History

Today, unfortunately, the peppermint has become synonymous with candy.  Sure, peppermint candies are sweet and invigorated with take-your-breath-away freshness, but peppermint used to be prized for things unrelated to one’s sweet tooth.  For example, in ancient Greece, it was customary for people entertaining guests to infuse the air with mint by rubbing their tables with fresh sprigs of it.  Its scent was both welcoming and soothing.  Further, peppermint’s aroma was (and still is) believed to enhance memory recall.

Today, peppermint remains a ‘scent’sational aroma, an aroma that toothpastes, breath fresheners and lozenge manufacturers have seized upon.  Even cologne and perfume companies have hopped aboard the mint train.  And who can forget that goo Mom used to rub your chest with when you had trouble breathing?  Vick’s VapoRub – and other creams like it – contain lots of peppermint oil because its scent induces better breathing.

But mint’s glorious scent is just scratching the surface when it comes to chronicling its health benefits.

More about Miraculous Mint

Like most herbs, peppermint’s medicinal might lies in its oil.  This oil is what gives it its signature scent, but it’s also what kills food-borne bacteria like Helicobacter pylori, Salmonella enteritidis, Escherichia coli 0157:H7 and (just try to pronounce this one) methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.  Surely this explains why peppermint’s so often infused in soaps and lotions.

Peppermint has some nutritional know-how as well.  No, not when it’s included in sugar-saturated candy, but rather in its unadulterated form.  According to its nutritional profile, peppermint contains trace amounts of vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, folate, dietary fiber, iron, magnesium, vitamin B2, potassium, copper, even some omega-3 fats.  None of the vitamin and mineral amounts will bowl you over, but the sheer number of nutrients in peppermint makes it worthy of mention.

Something else worthy of mention is peppermint’s use in the ongoing cancer battle.  Apparently there’s a certain alcohol in peppermint oil that’s proven effective in warding off cancer growth.  Known as Perillyl alcohol, the phytonutrient has been shown to block cancer growth in the pancreas, mammary glands, liver, colon, skin and lungs of animals.  Further tests need to be done before the results can be translated to humans.

As impressive as peppermint’s abilities to ward off cancer, improve breathing, and enhance nutritional wellness are, where peppermint really makes its hay is in the way it soothes an upset stomach.

Clinical study after clinical study, randomized trial after randomized trial point to peppermint oil’s knack for relaxing the muscles that surround the abdomen; an important fact to remember, as every one of us will probably have indigestion at least once within the next year.

To prepare for such an unfortunate event, there are a variety of ways in which to administer peppermint oil for an aching stomach.  The simplest, most soothing way is by adding it to an herbal tea mixture.  Even easier, you can go out and buy some peppermint tea.  Brands like Celestial Seasonings offer 100 percent, all-natural ingredients, but of course you can always make your own as well.

These are all proven ways in which peppermint can improve your life.  Here are a few other ways peppermint’s been known to help:

Peppermint for Pounding Headaches

Yes, there are thousands of remedies for headaches, and the use of peppermint is one of them.  Only this time the peppermint’s not to be consumed, but applied. To apply, drip six to 10 drops of peppermint oil to a damp washcloth.  Make sure the water’s cold, and apply to face.  The headache-clearing magic lies in the refreshing combination of cool mint and cool water.

Peppermint for Halitosis

Have the kind of breath that could peel the paint off a wall?  Just a drop of peppermint oil on the back of your tongue will freshen things up toot sweet.

Peppermint for Picnics

Two things can spoil a picnic:  rain and ants.  Peppermint won’t clear the skies, but it will clear out an ant invasion – just spritz a dozen or so drops of peppermint oil in their general vicinity.  They’ll head for the hills!

Peppermint for Peppiness

Energy levels low?  Put some pep in your step with peppermint.  A good solid whiff of peppermint oil should revive the senses and give you that mental energy jolt you need to get through the rest of your day.

Peppermint for Canker Sores

Everyone’s had one – those painful little protuberances that bulge from the inner lining of your lip.  Canker sores form for a variety of reasons (e.g. dietary deficiencies, emotional stress, family history, food allergies), but when you get one, you don’t care how it got there – you just want to get rid of it!  Canker sores usually go away by themselves, but if it’s a particularly pesky sore, apply peppermint oil to its surface two to three times a day.  It should disappear within a few days.

So, when the Christmas tree comes down and the lights turn out, keep peppermint up year ‘round.  Your body will thank you!

Sources
snopes.com
whfoods.com
en.wikipedia.org
health.howstuffworks.com
selfgrowth.com
healthmad.com
ehow.com