Written by contributor Stacy Karen of A Delightful Home.
Peppermint is one of my favorite herbs because it is easy to grow and has so many uses.
Well known as a digestive aid, peppermint is also a powerful energizer and useful in treating headaches and fatigue.
Today I’d like to share four simple treatments that include this this beneficial herb.
Invigorating Foot Scrub
This peppermint scrub provides a slight tingling sensation that will revive and invigorate tired feet. It’s very quick and easy to prepare and would make an excellent gift.
Ingredients
1 cup fine sea salt or Epsom salt
¼ cup oil (grapeseed, sweet almond or olive)
10 drops peppermint essential oil
1 tablespoon dried peppermint leaves (these make it fun, but could be left out if needed. If you don’t have any dried peppermint on hand, break open a peppermint tea bag).
Method
Measure salt into a clean bowl.
Add oil and stir until it is distributed evenly.
Add peppermint leaves and essential oil. Stir again.
Scoop into a clear jar and label.
This recipe is taken from my ebook, Simple Scrubs to Make and Give.
Peppermint Tea
Peppermint tea is simple to prepare and can be made with fresh or dried peppermint leaves. Sip a cup to aid digestion or stimulate your senses in the early morning instead of coffee.
To brew your own peppermint tea:
Place one teaspoon of dried peppermint leaves or two teaspoons of fresh peppermint leaves per cup of water in a heat -proof bowl or pot. Pour hot water over the leaves and cover with a lid or inverted plate. Allow to steep for ten minutes.
Strain out the herbs are enjoy.
Photo by Haiinee
Peppermint Hair Rinse
Peppermint tea can also be used as a hair rinse as it stimulates the hair and scalp.
Prepare tea as directed above and allow to cool. Once the tea has reached a comfortable temperature, pour over hair and leave to sit a few minutes, then rinse out with water.
Peppermint Bath
I usually think of having a bath as a time to relax and unwind, but a bath is also a great place to re-energize.
In the book, 10 Essential Herbs, Lalitha Thomas recommends soaking in a peppermint bath as a way of enhancing circulation and rejuvenating at the end of a hard day’s work.
To prepare a Peppermint Bath:
Warm 8 cups of water over the stove and turn off the heat once it begins to boil. Add 4 ounces of dried peppermint leaves and allow to steep for 20 minutes. You have not made an infusion.
Strain out the leaves and add the entire infusion to a warm bath.
Get in and soak your troubles away.
These are only a few homemade treatments using peppermint, I’d love to hear from you . . .
What are your favorite ways to use peppermint?
About Stacy
What a great idea! – I like the idea of the peppermint bath a lot. I want to start a little potted herb garden on our front porch, and I think peppermint will definitely have to be one of the plants I choose!
Peppermint is a addition to a potted herb garden!
Peppermint and fennel can be use as carminitive too, just put some of peppermint and a half tea spoon of fennel seeds in boiling water for five minutes, and than tuurn off the stove, when its cool down, strain and drink it, its very useful for diarrhoea and indisgestion.
Thanks for this, Nargis. Peppermint and fennel sounds like a wonderful combination.
Love all these ideas! I’ve been making lots of mint iced tea trying to keep up with the mint I planted–it’s growing like crazy! Thanks for the other mint ideas.
Isn’t it amazing how fast mint grows?! I love that about it.
Hi Stacy,
Sorry to think of mint as food also…I worked with an Indian girl years ago, she taught me how to make chutney of mint leaves…yum! if you haven’t tried it, give it a try.
But, I have to warn you, the pungent aroma is not for all…
That sounds good, Jasmine. I haven’t tried mint in large amounts as a food. Would be interested in trying this chutney. What would you eat it with?
I have tried it as a sandwich spread, also works good with salsa dips.
We just started growing mint this year on our back porch. A peppermint bath sounds lovely.
I bet it’s so nice to go on the back porch and pick your own peppermint!
i love peppermint too and the bath sounds a-ma-zing! i have to do one!!!
i love to make a peppermint simple syrup and add it into brownies or homemade whipped cream. so yummy!
my recent post: she is…
I bet the peppermint brownies are delicious! My hubby would love those. I’m going to try it.
I created few or less the same salt scrub adding lemon juice, and I use it as a body scrub !
I use cooking salt (gros sel in French) and it’s not too abrasive !
http://chroniquesindependantes.wordpress.com/2012/04/05/body-scrub-essai-n2-version-salee/
Alexandra
I love that you use lemon juice in your scrub. What a great idea.
Your scrub sounds so refreshing.
It is, and by the way, I let it rest for a few days before using it in order for the peppermint to infuse (i didn’t use peppermint essential oils). The lemon juice is antiseptic, astrigent and invigorating, that’s so healthy !
If you like scrubs, I’ve also created one based on coffee grounds
http://chroniquesindependantes.wordpress.com/2012/02/24/body-scrub-essai-n1-version-sucree/
Hope you enjoy it !
Alexandra
How long can you keep the scub for, that maybe a question the person i make it for asks?
Thanks for sharing
I never thought peppermint has many uses. Thanks for a great idea!