In this episode we’re talking about Peppermint (Mentha piperita), an herb that has been growing alongside rivers and roadsides and in the gardens of healers for thousands of years. She is at once warming and cooling, stimulating and settling, ancient and utterly familiar. She is the taste of a childhood summer and a sophisticated medicinal ally. Like the best rivers, she meets you exactly where you are.
She doesn’t ask whether you’re ready to be soothed, she just runs cool and clear and does her work. In this episode we’ll open with a poem about the kind of homecoming only water and simplicity can offer, explore the psychospiritual gifts of this remarkable plant, visit her origin story in Greek mythology, and talk about what she actually does in the body — because this humble, abundant, everywhere herb is doing far more than freshening your breath. Come sit by the river, and mint, with me for a while.
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📩 Want to share a poem?
I’d love to include voices from the community! If you have a nature-inspired or herbal poem you’d like to share in a future episode, send it my way at: kim@joyfulroots.com. For more information and a list of plants, click here.
🌀 Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational and inspirational purposes only. I am not a medical doctor or licensed health professional, and nothing shared here is intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any disease. The information provided has not been evaluated by the FDA. Always check with a qualified healthcare provider about any potential herb-drug interactions or health concerns. If you experience an allergic reaction to any herb, discontinue use and consult a professional. You are the steward of your own body—listen with curiosity, and honor your intuition.
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🌿 Sources & Further Reading
- USDA FoodData Central. Peppermint, fresh (Mentha piperita). U.S. Department of Agriculture. https://fdc.nal.usda.gov
- Herbal Academy. Peppermint Monograph. The Herbal Academy, 2022. https://theherbalacademy.com/peppermint-monograph/
- Kędzia A, et al. Assessment of the nutritional value of various tea infusions in terms of macro- and trace element content. Journal of Trace Elements in Medicine and Biology, 2019. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0946672X19302159
- Alammar N, et al. The impact of peppermint oil on irritable bowel syndrome: a meta-analysis of the pooled clinical data. BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies, 2019. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6337770/
- Chumpitazi BP, et al. Review article: The physiologic effects and safety of peppermint oil and its efficacy in irritable bowel syndrome and other functional disorders. Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics, 2018. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5814329/
- Göbel H, et al. Effectiveness of Oleum menthae piperitae and paracetamol in therapy of headache of the tension type. Cephalalgia, 1996. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8805113/
- Rafieian-Kopaei M, et al. Comparing the effect of intranasal lidocaine 4% with peppermint essential oil drop 1.5% on migraine attacks: a double-blind clinical trial. PMC, 2019. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6647908/
- Ahluwalia V, et al. Mint Oils: In vitro ability to perform anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial activities and to enhance intestinal barrier integrity. Antioxidants, 2021. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8300686/
- Muszyńska B, et al. Chemical composition and antioxidant properties of essential oils from peppermint, native spearmint, and Scotch spearmint. Nutrients, 2019. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6696458/
- Sexton S, Chaudhary S. Peppermint Oil. American Family Physician, 2007;75(7):1027–1030. https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2007/0401/p1027.pdf Flower Essence Society. Peppermint Flower Essence — Repertory description.https://www.flowersociety.org
- Hoffman D. Medical Herbalism: The Science and Practice of Herbal Medicine. Healing Arts Press, 2003. (Print — no direct link, but widely available via Herbal Academy, Amazon, or library)
