Self Help

Both spearmint and peppermint owe their value in healing to their aromatic oils. Peppermint oil is mostly menthol. Spearmint oil contains a similar chemical (carvone). These chemicals have similar properties, but as the herbalists of old believed, menthol is the more potent.

Digestive Aid: Thumbs up for the after-dinner mint! Menthol appears to soothe the smooth muscle lining of the digestive tract, making it an anti-spasmodic. German and Russian studies show peppermint also may help to prevent stomach ulcers and stimulate bile secretion. Thus, it may confer added benefits as an ingredient in different types of known antacids.

Anesthetic: The Eclectics were on the right track about menthol’s “considerable anesthetic power.” It’s an ingredient in many pain-relieving skin creams: Ben-Gay, and Noxzema Medicated Cream.

Decongestant: Menthol vapors do, indeed, help relieve nasal, sinus, and chest congestion. Menthol is an ingredient in Mentholatum and Vicks VapoRub. Peppermint is a Food and Drug Administration-approved remedy for the common cold, primarily because of its decongestant action.

Infection Prevention: The Eclectics may also have been on the right track about menthol being “actively germicidal.” Peppermint oil in the test tube kills several bacteria and the Herpes simplex virus, which causes cold sores and genital herpes, findings which lend some credence to peppermint’s traditional uses in the treatment of wounds and bronchitis.

Women’s Health: Antispasmodics soothe not only the smooth muscle lining of the digestive tract, but other smooth muscles, such as the uterus, as well. Several herbals recommend peppermint as a treatment for morning sickness. The Toxicology of Botanical Medicines, however, suggests medicinal concentrations of peppermint may promote menstruation.

Pregnant women who want to try peppermint for morning sickness should stick to dilute, beverage-tea concentrations rather than more potent medicinal infusions. Women with a history of miscarriage should not use this herb while pregnant. Other women may try peppermint to bring on their periods.

Wounds: For wounds, burns, scalds, and herpes, apply a few drops of peppermint oil directly to the affected area. For a possible decongestant or digestive infusion, use 1 to 2 teaspoons of dried herb per cup of boiling water. Steep 10 minutes. Drink up to 3 cups a day. Peppermint has a sharper taste than spearmint, and it cools the mouth.

Mints should be used in medicinal amounts only in consultation with your doctor. If mints cause minor discomforts, such as stomach upset or diarrhea, use less or stop using it. Let your doctor know if you experience unpleasant effects or if the symptoms for which the herb is being used do not improve significantly in two weeks.