HEALTH WISE
(12/12/2008) By Julie Sergel

The Gift of Peppermint!

Has the *rush* of the holiday season caught you yet? Personally, I’m holding close to a beloved bottle of magnesium, to ease the clench of tightened muscles. But beyond the vitamins, I’m thinking Peppermint just might be another endearing companion. There’s got to be serious science behind the recipe of red and white striped candies hanging on trees and dangling from mouths of all ages during this time of the year. It’s the peppermint! When considering the joyful turbulence involved in all sorts of gatherings and goodwill towards men (and women and children) at such a time as this, it’s no wonder we’d need an extra dose here and there. Drink it in a tea, or utilize it in one of the following ways: (I found this list from a Nature’s Sunshine distributor. I state this, as I don’t know the uses permitted by other manufacturers.)
Keep in mind: Natureís Sunshine Peppermint Oil is a pure essential oil, not synthetic. Therefore a drop goes a long way!

Asthma - At the first sign of an asthma attack, brew a cup of peppermint tea using1-2 drops to a cup of hot water. Then mix several drops of Peppermint Oil and rub it on the chest. It can be used with carrier oil if desired.

Breath Freshener - Place on tongue or rub on teeth (reduces plaque build-up).
Carpet Freshener- Mix 1/2 cup of baking soda and 5 drops of Peppermint Oil. Put in a shaker jar and you’ve got a natural, chemical-free, carpet freshener. Peppermint Oil will ‘perk’ your brain, so you might even enjoy vacuuming the carpet more!

Coffee Substitute- put a couple of drops in a cup of hot water to enjoy instead of coffee.
Colds/Flu - helps with fever, chills and vomiting.
Digestion - stimulates salivary glands and bile production, relieves gas.
Dizziness/Fainting- sniff an opened bottle and place some under the nose to inhale.
Drowsiness -place a drop in one palm, rub hands together and cup over your face; breathe deep through your nose--rouses the brain!
Fever ñ gently breathe in aroma of it and also make as a tea.
Gallbladder ñcan offer some relief if a couple of drops are taken on the tongue or brewed as tea; stimulates production of bile to digest fats.
Gas - put a drop or two on the tongue and inhale while it gets swallowed; can be rubbed into area where the gas pains are.
Heart - strengthening to muscles, use for heart palpitations.
Headaches - rub onto forehead and back of neck; also take a few drops internally.
Hot Flashes -breathe in the aroma of it for 3-5 minutes - you can feel it cooling you from the top down.
Heartburn - put a drop or two on the tongue and inhale while it gets swallowed.
Insomnia - helps to relax, use as a bedtime tea.
Motion Sickness/Nausea- place a drop on the tongue every 5 minutes until symptoms are relieved. To avoid motion sickness, apply prior to and during trip.
Nervous Problems- strengthens nerves, useful with convulsions and spasms in children.
Pets - rub a drop or two into the paw to settle down a nervous animal. (Great results for overcoming fear of thunder by rubbing on paws!)
Stomach Problems- stomachache, cramps, hunger pangs.
Throat - relieves ticking, scratchy and soreness.

And hey, add the peppermint along with the mistletoe! According to Greek legend the nymph Mentha, was voraciously pursued by Pluto. But Pluto had a jealous wife named Persephone. Persephone got nasty and trod Mentha into the ground. However, Pluto was then able to turn Mentha into an herb, trusting that people would appreciate her for years to come. Therefore, it would seem it is our duty, to honor her—Mentha, known formerly as Peppermint.

Also good to note: Peppermint oil is non-toxic and a non-irritant in low dilutions. However, it can cause irritation to the skin and mucous membranes so it should be kept away from the eyes. Those who are pregnant and children under the age of seven should not use peppermint oil.