The Many Uses of Peppermint
There are so many uses for Peppermint, where to begin? Besides it being a nice relaxing drink to have while curled up on the couch with a good book, it also helps with colds, fevers, coughs, headaches and an upset stomach. Peppermint is an astringent as well, so when you make yourself a cup of tea, not only can you drink it, you can also dip a washcloth into it and wash your face to tone up your skin.
Peppermint is also gentle enough to give to babies. When mixed with equal parts of chamomile and a pinch of dried ginger it can work wonders for colic. I used it myself for my preemie, I would give her 1 teaspoon about an hour before her fussy time began and it worked wonders. I would make a cup and then save 1/4 of it in the fridge and freeze the rest. It will keep in the fridge for 3 days. It can also help with teething, mix again with chamomile and give a teaspoon every half an hour to one hour.
If you're congested make yourself a cup of tea and then throw some of the herb into a bowl, pour some hot water over it and then breathe in the steam while placing a towel over your head. That should help clear up the nasal passages.
Mix a teaspoon of Peppermint and Rosemary to a cup of boiling water and let sit for 15 minutes and you have a great mouthwash.
Heartburn and flatulence can also be relieved by steeping a teaspoon of Peppermint for 15 minutes in boiled water. Drink the tea after meals to help relieve the build up of gas, and take whenever needed to relieve heartburn.
To help with sleep mix two tablespoons of Peppermint and a tablespoon of Rosemary and Sage to make a nice relaxing tea right before going to bed.
For a fresh feeling mouth mix a 1/2 tablespoon of Peppermint with a 1/4 cup of water, a 1/2 teaspoon of sunflower oil and a 1/2 teaspoon of cornstarch and you have yourself some homemade toothpaste.
Another nice wake me up in the bathroom is take 2 cups of sparkling or seltzer water, squeeze some juice from a lemon and mix with a few drops of peppermint oil and voila, a nice invigorating mix to use while in the shower or bath. After you've washed, pour the mixture from head to toe, rinse off, then step out of the bath feeling refreshed and awake!
Let's not forget the animals. If you powder up a cup of Peppermint, Rosemary and Fennel seed and dust your animal it can help get rid of fleas. Steep about a half cup of Peppermint leaves in white vinegar for two weeks and you'll have a great concoction to put on cuts or scrapes on you pets. It's a great mixture to use when your animal has had surgery; it is especially good to help with the itching that ensues.
If you have mouse problems in your place consider getting Peppermint oil. Find out where the rodent is coming into the house and douse some rags with the oil. That should keep them at bay and it's better than those glue traps.
And I've saved the best for last. On a hot summer day what's better than having a nice Mojito? Take a few sprigs of fresh peppermint, crush it up with a fork, add two tablespoons of sugar (I prefer Sugar in the Raw), three tablespoons of lime juice, stir. Throw some ice into the cup then add some Rum and club soda to taste, and you have yourself a nice drink to enjoy on your porch to watch the sun set.... ahhh the many uses of peppermint.