Peppermint (Mentha piperita) essential oil has been around since ancient Egypt. The Romans and Greeks used peppermint oil to flavor their foods. During the 18th century, Europe started using the oil for therapeutic purposes.

Peppermint oil has been used for aid to help with stomach aches, gas, diarrhea, and indigestion. It is also used to treat colds, flu, nervous disorders, cholera, and to ease tension headaches. Peppermint is still being used for many of these purposes today.

Peppermint oil is extracted from the leaves of a mint plant, which is a hybrid of spearmint and water mint plants.  A distillation (separating) process is used to separate the oil from the leaves. A steaming process is used to ensure the distillation does not harm the essential oils extracted. There are phytochemicals, natural plant-based chemicals, found in really good quality mint leaves.  The peppermint leaf has menthol, which gives you the peppermint smell. The quality of the mint plant, the conditions under which the plant is grown, and the time of year harvested may change the intensity of the mint flavor extracted through this distillation process.

There are many benefits of peppermint:

1. Possibly helps prevent cancer–peppermint has been found to have anti-inflammatory properties suppressing tumor growths.
2. Reduces fever, and serves as a treatment for headaches and migraines.
3. Clears sinuses and aids in seasonal allergy relief.
4. Helps you focus or perks you up during your late night homework missions.
5. Helps sore muscles.
6. Repels bugs.
7. Freshens breath.

Here are some ways you can incorporate peppermint into your daily routine:

1. Place a drop in some green tea and enjoy.
2. Add a drop or two while baking chocolate, or use in some frosting (my favorite).
3. Apply it directly on your skin it is best to dilute with some joba oil or coconut oil and rub on sore muscles or on your temples if you have a headache.
4. Place some oil into a diffuser for an uplifting aroma in the room.

Sources:

https://draxe.com/peppermint-oil-uses-benefits/

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