Ancient Romans brewed peppermint into medicinal potions and wore peppermint wreaths to ease migraines—a practice that holds up today. For stubborn headaches when aspirin falls short, a dab of peppermint essential oil on the temples delivers fast, reliable relief.
These benefits stem from its powerhouse compounds: flavonoids, menthol, and tannins, which offer relaxing, antiseptic, diaphoretic, analgesic, expectorant, and digestive properties. Herbal practitioners worldwide rely on peppermint to combat aerophagia, asthma, bronchitis, fatigue, flatulence, bad breath, headaches, migraines, colds, and nausea.
In infusion: Steep 10 grams of leaves in half a liter of sparkling water; enjoy a cup after meals.
In essential oil (available at organic stores): For internal use, take 2-3 drops on a spoonful of honey. For external use, dilute 2-3 drops in a carrier oil and massage into temples or neck.
For motion sickness in the car or bus, place one drop on half a sugar cube to settle nausea quickly.
