Forget just freshening your breath! The benefits of peppermint go beyond just being a breath freshener. With its vibrant green leaves and unmistakable smell, it has shown promise to be a versatile and effective remedy for a multitude of health concerns.
Lesego Rabothata from Centurion has been using peppermint for the past four years. She was initially introduced to peppermint while manufacturing Ayurvedic-infused hair products and soon discovered its extensive benefits for overall health.
“I use peppermint to treat my sinuses, and it works great when I have the flu. The menthol in peppermint acts as a natural decongestant, as it helps to open up my nasal passages and makes it easy for me to breathe,” she says.
“I have a 10-year-old son who suffers from sinuses as well, so I’d add some peppermint oil to a humidifier, and it provides almost instant relief from the sinus pressure and congestion.”
Peppermint is a versatile staple for Rabothata, as she shares that she uses it as a tea to drink, incorporates it in her hair products, and adds it as an ingredient in her Ayurvedic-infused hair growth oil.
“I’ve noticed that peppermint tea or oil helps me relax. If I drink it, it relaxes me. Using the oil as a massage oil almost felt like I’d applied a muscle relaxant as well. I swear by peppermint; I love it.”
Lesego Rabothata
Leah Manaka from Johannesburg started using it about a year ago when she got into herbalism and decided to explore its benefits.
“I’ve found similar herbs that were easier for me to get access to, so I haven’t used peppermint as much as I would’ve liked to. I do, however, know that it’s an amazing herb for women.”
Hair looking and smelling great
“I’ve used peppermint in toothpaste and for my hair. It is good for preventative use for most issues in the mouth. It also assisted with strengthening my hair, as I’d stopped taking care of it, and reduced hair loss.”
According to dietitian Mbali Tlhapi from Durban, peppermint has a multifaceted use as it can be consumed orally and used topically; some have used it on their hair, and others have used it in a diffuser.
“Peppermint, when consumed orally, has antioxidant, antibacterial, and antiviral properties and can be antispasmodic for conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). There are very few human studies on the peppermint leaf, and there are no clinical trials on peppermint tea. Most of the evidence on the health benefits of peppermint oil is mostly from animal studies, so caution must be exercised when finding information on the internet,” she explains.
“Peppermint that is used topically (peppermint oil) has a cooling effect due to the menthol extracted. Even though peppermint oil has been used for pruritis, inflammation, and irritation, allergic reactions have been noted. Therefore, a small area should be tested before applying it to the targeted area.”
Dietitian Mbali Tlhap
Tlhapi underlines that peppermint leaves (fresh and dried) have high amounts of potassium, calcium, phosphate, magnesium, iron, and nitrogen. The amounts of these elements vary due to the fertilisers used.
“Heating the leaves also affects the nutrient content; therefore, the most nutritious form is fresh leaves. When it is converted into oil, menthol, menthone, and menthofuran are the most prevalent.”
Advising on who should avoid it, she explains that peppermint oil has fast absorption once consumed and is excreted through bile; therefore, people with gall bladder issues or bile duct obstruction should not use peppermint oil.
“For those with gastrointestinal reflux or even a hernia (haitus), taking peppermint oil can make the symptoms worse. As with everything, take caution with over-the-counter medicine,” she warns.
“High doses of peppermint could also lead to intolerance of the peppermint if consumed, and reflux has been noted after consuming the oil. Irritation, dermatitis, and allergic reactions have also been noted when applied to the skin.”
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