What do candy, chewing gum, toothpaste, and ice cream all have in common? One thing is that all can be purchased with peppermint flavor. This perennial plant produces green leaves that are rich in medicinal value.

Peppermint Leaf is a great aid to the digestive system. It increases the quantity and ability of bile to flow from the liver. This in turn helps in the digestion of fats and reduces bad cholesterol. Peppermint also calms the stomach, aids in extracting nutrients from food, reduces harmful bacteria in the stomach, and relaxes the muscles in the intestines thus reducing cramping. Its cleansing properties decrease the filtering work demanded of the liver and kidneys. An after-dinner peppermint reduces both stomach gas and the amount of time food is in the stomach. It is used in anti-nausea medicine, not just for its pleasant flavor, but also because peppermint will sooth the stomach lining. In this way it has been effective in treating motion sickness and morning sickness as well.

Though effective as a tea, peppermint is primarily harvested for its oils, namely, menthol, menthone, and menthyl acetate. The peppermint leaves are rated by the quantity of menthol in them. Peppermint grown in the US is about 70% menthol. Peppermint also contains vitamins A and C, magnesium, potassium, inositol, niacin, copper, iodine, silicon, iron, and sulfur.

For some peppermint leaf is a more effective source of pain relief for headaches than acetaminophen. Massaging the temples with peppermint oil has relieved even migraine headaches by relaxing muscles and cooling the skin. As a balm, it is used to relieve muscle and arthritic pain as well. Peppermint is an effective relaxant and can help in treating stress and restlessness.

Peppermint Leaf is also a natural expectorant and decongestant. Thus it is effective in the treatment of many respiratory ailments including bronchitis, sinusitis, and asthma, and is known to stimulate the immune system. Peppermint is an ingredient in cough medicines because it increases the output of saliva, thus soothing the throat. It is also found in many chest rubs due to its ability to relieve congestion from colds, flues, and respiratory infections. By inducing sweating, peppermint has effectively treated fevers. It has also been used to treat bad breath, tooth decay, gum disease, some forms of cancer, heart disease, earaches, gallstones, muscle tightness, and menstrual cramps.

Peppermint Leaves can be purchased as a tablet, an essential oil capsule, or a tincture. Note that the capsules are often coated and don't start working until they reach the intestine. Thus, the benefits in the stomach are lost. To prepare peppermint leaf tea, pour one cup of boiling water over 1 or 2 tsp. of dried peppermint leaves. Then cover, steep for 10 minutes and strain. Do not ingest peppermint leaves since the menthol could be poisonous. Do not give peppermint to young children without professional counsel.