Ginger and peppermint are favorites among many, not only for the many tasty uses but also as healing herbs. My Nan showed me at a young age that peppermint and ginger were great for helping to ease tummy troubles such as indigestion, and that when I wasn’t feeling well ginger goes a long way to helping symptoms of a cold. Both of these herbs can be grown in your very own garden. I like to put a few mint leaves in lemon water every morning, and I adore peppermint tea, especially when it’s cooler outside, or if I’m not feeling well and I need to calm my indigestion and stimulate my appetite. I also drink ginger tea for similar reasons, and it always seems to do the trick when I have a headache. A dash of ginger powder adds a splash of flavour to plain greek yogurt and makes a delicious addition to many recipes. Sometimes I use them to make a nice warm smell throughout the house with the use of essential oil and sometimes placing a small amount in the oven with the door open to let the aroma flow out. I try not to leave home without some peppermint it’s energizing, cooling, a natural decongestant, and creates a positive feeling in the air.
Ginger is one of the most popularly used dietary condiments world wide. The oleoresin from its roots may contain bioactive components. Ginger has been used for thousands of years as a therapeutic plant in the treatment of a variety of ailments such as nausea, colds, migraines, hypertension, and arthritis. Ginger and its metabolites seem to accumulate in the gastrointestinal tract positive effects exerted in this area should not be surprising. Ginger has health benefits such as antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, anticarcinogenic activities, and may have some disease preventive effects, there is evidence to support claims for a protective role in cardiovascular functions.
Peppermint use is time honoured and especially popular, it readily gets used in things such as, tea, toothpaste, and gum. It has a numbing and calming effect, often used to treat skin irritation, headaches, diarrhea, nausea, flatulence, cramps, and depression. It is a common ingredient in chest rubs to treat cold symptoms. Peppermint kills some types of bacteria, viruses, and fungi. Which suggests that it has antifungal, antiviral, and antibacterial properties. Methyl salicylate and menthol are the main ingredients in peppermint which have antispasmodic effects that help to calm an irritated gastrointestinal tract. There are studies to support its use for relief of symptoms from irritable bowel syndrome and indigestion. It is not recommended that peppermint be taken if you have gastroesophageal reflux disease, or to be given to small children or infants without the consultation and guidance of a certified professional. Large doses may be toxic, and pure method should never be taken internally.
