| In addition to soothing the digestive
tract and helping to reduce indigestion, peppermint leaves
have been shown to help reduce the symptoms of irritable
bowel syndrome. Cases of irritable bowel syndrome are
on the rise, and more and more people are troubled by
its symptoms. Fresh peppermint and peppermint leaves have
long been used to treat these types of conditions.
Other uses of peppermint
Peppermint and peppermint leaves have also been shown
to retard the growth of many varieties of bacteria and
fungi, and it is thought to help relieve the symptoms
of allergies and asthma as well.
When shopping for peppermint leaves it is important
to choose your source carefully. The quality of peppermint
leaves, and the preparations made from them, can vary
quite widely from manufacturer to manufacturer. It is
important to find a source that uses modern manufacturing
techniques, and who does as little processing as possible.
If the peppermint leaves are too highly processed they
could lose a good deal of their medicinal value.
Growing your own peppermint plants
Another option, of course, is to grow your own peppermint
leaves. Peppermint is generally easy to grow, and in
addition to providing a great scent, growing peppermint
leaves around the perimeter of a home can help to discourage
ants from entering the house.
There are many ways to prepare peppermint leaves in
order to enjoy its many benefits. The most popular way
to prepare fresh peppermint leaves, however, is to brew
it into a tea. The aroma of the peppermint as it steams
can be just as therapeutic as the peppermint itself,
so it is important to breathe in the scent of the peppermint
to maximize its healing value.
One popular way to brew tea from peppermint leaves is
to use one or two teaspoons of dried peppermint leaves.
Very hot, but not boiling, water is poured over the
leaves, and the cup is covered to prevent the valuable
volatile oils from being lost. This mixture is allowed
to steep for 10 minutes, then strained and drunk as
a tea.
Those who are troubled by nausea and other stomach
ailments have a choice of drinking such a peppermint
tea, or using one of the many enteric coated capsules
made with fresh peppermint leaves. Both approaches work
well, but it is important to known which approach is
best for your particular condition. When drinking peppermint
tea for chronic stomach conditions, many doctors recommend
drinking three or four cups of peppermint tea a day.
|
