Peppermint is ubiquitous during the holiday season. Whether you are sipping a peppermint mocha or lighting a peppermint candle, your senses are likely to be bombarded with the taste and smell of peppermint during this time of year. Luckily, it turns out that peppermint has a variety of health benefits.
Improved Mood
If you’re feeling stressed or anxious at work or home, peppermint could alleviate your anxiety. Researchers for a 2009 edition of the North American Journal of Psychology analyzed the impact of peppermint on subjects performing a simulated driving task, and they found that drivers exposed to peppermint were less anxious and fatigued when completing the work. They also experienced less frustration when compared to drivers in a control group.
Treatment of Upset Stomach
Peppermint might provide you with relief from an upset stomach or digestive issues. In a 2014 report in the Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology, researchers analyzed the results of several studies concerned with the impact of peppermint on irritable bowel syndrome. They found that peppermint oil was more effective than a placebo was in treating abdominal pain and symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome.
Relief of Sleepiness
On those days when you’re feeling sluggish, or you just didn’t get enough sleep the night before, peppermint could give you a boost. In 2005, researchers for the International Journal of Psychophysiology studied the impact of peppermint oil on feelings of sleepiness. They discovered that people exposed to peppermint oil experienced less of an increase in drowsiness after spending 11 minutes in a dark room.
Improved Fitness
Peppermint oil might help you take your workout to the next level. In 2013, a study in the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition found that after men consumed peppermint essential oil in their water for 10 days, their exercise performance improved, and they were able to exercise for more extended periods before becoming exhausted.
Reduction in Migraine Symptoms
If you suffer from migraines, peppermint oil might be useful in combination with your regular treatment regimen. A 2017 study in the Journal of Anesthesiology and Pain found that when patients combined peppermint oil with their usual preventive treatment, their migraines were less frequent and less severe.
Whether you suffer from migraines or irritable bowel syndrome, or just need some stress relief, peppermint offers proven benefits. Make use of peppermint during the holiday season, and you might find it so helpful that you continue to use it long after you’ve put away the Christmas tree. Put a few drops of edible peppermint essential oil in your water or tea, or make peppermint cookies, peppermint bark, or peppermint brownies. Light a peppermint candle to unwind after a long day of work or use peppermint bath salts to relax before bed. There are numerous ways to enjoy the benefits of peppermint during this holiday season.