It is known for its fresh scent, minty taste and cooling sensation, but peppermint is also a strong aromatic herb with a long list of medicinal uses. Native to Europe and Asia, peppermint is cultivated in many countries and has been used since ancient times. In fact, even the Egyptians were advocates of the plant, as the leaves were reportedly found in the pyramids dating back to 1000 BC.
Peppermint is a hybrid of watermint and spearmint, and the key chemical constituents of peppermint essential oil are menthol and menthone. Although peppermint has been used to help a range of conditions for thousands of years, modern studies have helped us understand more about its benefits for our health and wellbeing.
Different forms of peppermint
This story is from the March 1, 2021 edition of New Zealand Woman's Weekly.
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This story is from the March 1, 2021 edition of New Zealand Woman's Weekly.
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