In Greek mythology there was a Naiad nymph called Minthe, who was the daughter of Cocytus, the god of the river that flowed through the Underworld realm of Hades. Minthe was Hades’ lover. Hades decided to abduct Persephone and make her his wife. When Persephone was abducted, Minthe was cast aside by Hades. Minthe, jealous, would proclaim that she was more beautiful than Persephone, the daughter of Zeus, and soon Hades would grow tired of Persephone and return to Minthe. When Demeter, Persephone’s mother, heard what Minthe said, she transformed Minthe into garden mint. – from Greek Legends and Myths
Peppermint (mentha piperita)
Plant appearance: perennial plant with small highly aromatic leaves and spikes of small pink-mauve flowers
Parts used: fresh or partially dried plant. The U.S. Is one of the main producers of peppermint EO
Oil appearance: colorless to pale yellow
Therapeutic uses: headache, migraine, digestive problems, nausea, colic, gastrointestinal disorders, flatulence, colitis, diverticulitis, Crohn’s disease, irritable bowel syndrome, sinus congestion, sinusitis, muscular aches and pains, muscular injury, muscular spasm, sciatica, sprains, rheumatism, menstrual cramps, neuralgia, acne, pimples, mental exhaustion, tension, physical exhaustion, fatigue, apathy
Precautions: avoid during pregnancy and while breast-feeding, avoid using undiluted in baths and showers. GRAS status
RECIPE
I decided to go with a youtube today as there are so many good things peppermint is good for. Please disregard the sales pitch at the end. Please make notes about precautions, especially about how POWERFUL just one drop of peppermint oil is. I was shocked to learn that 1 drop has the equivalent of over 25 cups of peppermint tea! I would also hesitate putting it directly on the skin and would dilute it with a carrier oil (e.g. sweet almond.)
Tao Talk 
This one I knew about the nausea bit. Jennifer craved peppermint candy when she was pregnant. The woman would send me to the store for huge sacks of it at any time of the night. I’ve taken peppermint for nausea…it works well…I didn’t know about the other benefits.
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You actually call your wife “the woman”, that is so funny.
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Only in a loving way! lol… I just told her and she started to laugh.
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Thanks for the Greek legend. Peppermint has a strong odour and flavour. It is widely used in India for digestive tract problems as a home remedy.
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Glad you enjoyed the legend. Peppermint is what my mom gave me as a kid with an upset stomach.
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My essential oils knowledge is very low! I use fresh mint with green tea, I didn’t know it has so many therapeutic uses! Thank you for your AtoZ posts, all of them are such great and informative!
P is for Pojagi
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Thank you, Frederique, glad you find them informative. I’m a newbie to them also, just a few months. I learned a lot putting the A2Z posts together.
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I remember this story every time someone gushes on about how faithful Hades is… 😀
The Multicolored Diary
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LOL I don’t think fidelity is in any god or goddess repertoire 🙂
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I grow mint on my balcony. I can’t walk past it without squeezing a leaf and enjoying the perfume!
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Awesome! Ever put it in a mojito?
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I have! I also like it in a gin and tonic. I wish I hadn’t mentioned that, I’ll have to fetch one now!
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LOL
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Poor Minthe 😥 I have mint growing in the garden but I never use it. It grows quicker than the weeds 🙄
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I know how fast mint grows, it means it wants you to cut it and use it for tea — or mojitos!
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Mojitos, now you’re talking 😉
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I am think about doing a SLS spice week like Almond/Coconut/Peppermint what ever, do you have any suggestions?
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Good idea, Jim. Here’s some suggestions: cinnamon, parsley, sage, rosemary, thyme, pepper, salt, peppermint,
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Great as a pick-me-up. Just put a couple of drops on a tissue (I wouldn’t use it neat on the skin). Once when I was flying long-haul, I managed to drop my open bottle in the sink in the bathroom just prior to landing. It spread through the plane and is seemed that everyone was wide awake before I returned to my seat!
On the anti-ant remedy – I wish someone would tell the ants who are constantly invading my house that they didn’t like it.
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Chris, I agree I wouldn’t put it directly on the skin. Maybe a hydrolat? That’s funny about the peppermint on the plane. Better than a lot of other smells on a plane! I think something with neem, tea tree, or bay would be better to keep bugs away.
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I’m using tea tree and lemongrass, but still they come! I regret I’ve had to resort to Doom. I shall see if I can get hold of neem oil, I know that’s useful for many things.
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I am familiar with the use of peppermint for headache. But learnt a lot more today from this post.
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Glad to hear it, Pradeep.
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Peppermint tea is always soothing. Another herb I used to grow. I’d put leaves in black tea that I brewed to be iced. (K)
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Good idea about adding to black tea for a hint of mint. I always drink peppermint tea if stomach hurts and immediately helps.
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You’ve got to love the clean and fresh smell (and taste) of peppermint.
I’m pretty sure it’s one of the ingredients, along with menthol, in “China Oil” that I use when I have a headache.
My P is a potpourri of topics: pocket knives, parking, provisions, and Zurich’s infamous Platzspitz.
https://thethreegerbers.blogspot.com/2020/04/a-z-2020-switzerland-potpourri.html
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Great, so you know it works.
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I know you shouldn’t brag about being better than the gods and all, but I hate the way the jilted woman always gets punished in Greek myths, even when it’s not her fault men and gods are jerks.
Black and White (Words and Pictures)
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Myths, and other cultural fairy tales serve to indoctrinate the very young into a paternalistic society. They don’t advertise the other ones much, but they exist.
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I won’t be able to look at the mint I grow in my garden with the same eyes any more. From now on, I’ll be reminded of Minthe. I hope I can pluck it as readily for I do like to use a few sprigs in my chai:)
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Fantastic. I haven’t tried it in chai before but that sounds like a good enhancement flavor.
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I’ve not heard the Minthe tale before – it’s always a delight to learn a new one, even if it’s not the happiest. Spraying peppermint EO mixed with water has long been used as a repellent for ants and other insects.
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I’ve used this directly on my skin – to distract from hip bursitis pain- and wow oh wow does it ever work. But one drop is definitely enough. And its hard to control how many drops you get dripping out onto your fingers, ha ha. I do still think its better to mix it with something though, even just so you can get better coverage.
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I think any therapeutic carrier oil would work for it. I melted coconut oil and put a few drops in for a foot rub. I think it’s good for circulation because my feet warm right up.
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I never thought of it for that! Adding to my self care routine. I remember selling a foot cream that was supposed to be good for circulation with peppermint in it when I worked in the biz.
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Cool (pun intended) 🙂
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You can also use it on fungus problems. I always have peppermint eo on hand.
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Interesting! I use it as a foot rub in coconut oil and in the diffuser; also peppermint tea for upset stomach.
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I tried using it to repel mice…not so useful
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The mice probably thought there was a party! 😉
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I use peppermint in a large spray bottle to keep the snakes away from the house. Bugs keep from it too, but you can add citronella drops and you are good! Smells wonderful too!
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Good to know, Kathleen!
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I had no idea it could be so powerful. I know people who chew the plant leaves. (It might be a different form of mint, though it does look like the one pictured.) Very interesting.
J Lenni Dorner~ Co-host of the #AtoZchallenge, Debut Author Interviewer, Reference& Speculative Fiction Author
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It very well could be, as peppermint grows prolifically in a lot of places. Sorry for late response found your comment in spam folder.
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I use peppermint oil in my homemade lip balm. I also use peppermint oil when I make my Peppermint Cathy (knock-off version of York Peppermint Patty) recipe. Peppermint is one of my favorite essential oils!
Cathy’s Pinup Girl Art Sketch Series ‘P’
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Good uses for it! I have been using it in the diffuser.
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I enjoyed the myth at the start 🙂 I love drinking mint tea!
An A-Z of Faerie: Moon
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I do also!
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I like peppermint sauce!
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what do you put it on??
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