You already know about peppermint as a flavoring for candy and cookies. The oils from the peppermint (Mentha piperita ) have an unmistakable icy-cool flavor and smell.
But peppermint oil seems to do more than freshen breath. It’s a time-honored remedy for sore throats. And in Germany, it’s approved as an aid to improve digestion and reduce bloating. Human studies have shown peppermint oil (in capsules) is helpful for treating irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), a condition of the intestines producing abdominal pain, constipation or diarrhea.
A study published in the British Medical Journal found that peppermint oil was significantly better than a placebo for relieving the symptoms of IBS.
In fact, it also seemed to outperform both fiber and muscle relaxants, two more mainstream IBS treatments. In other human studies, peppermint oil applied to the forehead and temples helped relieve tension headaches.
RELATED: Peppermint Body & Face Scrub
The active ingredient in peppermint oil is menthol. After a big meal, gas building up in your stomach can cause cramping, but menthol relaxes the valve between the stomach and the esophagus, allowing trapped gas to escape upward as a welcome, pressure-relieving burp.
Menthol is a mild anesthetic that can block pain and nausea signals by numbing nerves in the gut, including those that would normally prompt nearby muscles to contract. One result: fewer muscle spasms that cause some of the symptoms of IBS.
Menthol lozenges can help calm coughs and soothe raw throats by numbing and relaxing throat muscles. Peppermint is a common ingredient in “natural” mouthwashes because it’s an anti-bacterial agent that kills the germs that cause tooth decay and bad breath.
Rubbing a few drops of it into your temples may also help relax temple muscles, easing some headaches.
Cough drops and peppermint leaf tea are safe unless you are allergic to peppermint, but undiluted peppermint oil
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