Peppermint

Hello Humanity

Today, let's learn about peppermint.

For the sake  of this post and simplicity and accuracy, you may notice that I am mostly referring to the oil... but these benefits are from peppermint in general. The difference is more a matter of the intensity. For example, 1 drop of peppermint is the equivalent effectiveness of 25-30 cups of peppermint tea.. Kind of crazy!

This is one of the most versatile, basic oils that really should be a foundation for any person's oil collection. Because of its usefulness for everyday circumstances and needs, it is a prime choice for anyone looking for a good oil to start with. Besides the fact that it smells just plain awesome. :)

First, a short history of this oil: because of the findings and recordings and uses of peppermint, it is sometimes referred to as the world's oldest medicine.  Researchers have even found it in some Egyptian tombs! It is actually a hybrid between watermint and spearmint. Though native to the Mediterranean/European areas, it is now cultivated in several places throughout the world.

Now, without further ado, I will jump right into a piece of the long list for why I am so psyched about peppermint:

1) Analgesic: can greatly reduce or get rid of pain. It is also very cooling.

2) Anesthetic: produces a slight loss of sensation (not a scary amount.. I use this everyday. It has a slight numbing effect to the place you apply it, but since it works to assist the cells with whatever they need, it will not produce a negative numbing. If you are injured, it would assist the cells in lessening pain)

3) Antiseptic: prevents, resists and counteracts putrefaction (which is a fancy way of saying decay). Because of this, diffusing into the air will get rid of many harmful microorganisms. And just imagine what awesome qualities the reversal of decay has internally as well...

4) Antiphlogistic: actually will reduce inflammation and swelling. And trust me, it works.

5) Antispasmodic: definitely helps nerves, and lessens irratibility (another one I have personal testimony with). Also, this means it helps control/stop involuntary spasms.

6) Astringent: will literally contract tissues. You'd think I would know the definiton of that word by now, having gone through most of my teenage years already, but I did not. This is pretty cool.

7) Carminative: basically a huge digestive help. Stimulates what must be stimulated for things to go smoothly in the gastrointestinal tracts.

8) Cephalic: specifically designed (by God's awesome hands!) to heal/promote well-being of cerebral conditions and workings and diseases

9) Cholagogue: definitely a new word for me. This means that it "promotes increased flow and discharge of bile into the intestines by contracting the bile ducts", as I have learned!

10) Cordial: a two-in-one- a cardiac-stimulation while warming the stomach

11) Decongestant: un-congests you ;)

12) Emmenagogue: helps womanly systems regulate and run smoothly

13) Expectorant: expect this to help that pesky cough

14) Febrifuge: reduces fever! No kidding. Very much works.

15) Hepatic: basically helps regulate the liver, its functions, and its regularities.

16) Nervine: nerve-helper:)

17) Stimulant: increases function, well-being, and nerve health. Love this effect. Very helpful.

18) Stomachic: stimulates/tones stomach (appearance, functions, etc). Definitely aids in digestion!

19) Sudorific: "stops local bleeding and hemorrhaging, applied externally"... is it weird to say I want to try this and watch the awesomeness work? Probably. Please don't let that stop you from reading:P

20) Vermifuge: helps rid intestinal worms. Uh.. gross. But great for what it does..

Also, for some simpler examples without the fancy words, check this out:

-helps relieve indigestion/nausea/IBS like they never happened
-totally helps dental wellness (think toothpaste.. and thank scientists who thought of that!)
-very much helps respiratory problems, from sinus congestion to allergies to asthma.. and I      have personal testimonials of self and close friends on all three accounts!
-zaps headaches out of buisness
-jumpstarts immune system
-improves blood circulation
-can help relieve skin/hair issues (like psoriasis and eczema) because of the cooling effect

So, that's all for now folks! :)

-O&H Treasure Hunter