Peppermint Perks: Enjoying a Holiday Flavor with Health Benefits

When the peppermint bark, candy canes and peppermint mocha lattes are back in the spotlight, you know it’s the winter holiday season! This flavorful leaf is available throughout the year and often associated with treats, warm beverages and maybe salads or cocktails, but its many uses make up a long list. The plant is indigenous to Europe, but can be grown anywhere including your windowsill.

As much more than just a minty flavor, peppermint contains minerals such as calcium, copper, iron, manganese, potassium, and also vitamins A & C.  It has a high menthol content making it useful for topical ointments that relieve minor aches/pains, lip balms, cough medicines and even in some medications used to treat minor burns (for the cooling sensation).

Peppermint oil is high in natural pesticides which have been shown to help reduce symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and indigestion, heartburn, nausea, colds and coughs.  It also helps stop the growth of certain bacteria, which may help increase overall gut health.

With all of that said, here are some of our favorite ways to enjoy this healthy holiday mint:

• Peppermint tea
• Peppermint-flavored smoothies (use the oil or fresh leaves in your fruity smoothie)
• Mint-banana “soft-serve” (frozen banana blended with mint leaves/oil & cocoa powder)
• Mint Cooler
• Mango-Mint Salsa
• Healthy Peppermint Patties
• Lamb Chops with Mint Sauce
• Grapefruit Mint Chicken
• Lemon-Mint Snap Peas & Lima Beans

Add any or all of the above to your holiday party menus and you’ll surprise guests with not only a tasty dish but a healthy one, too!

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Source: Harvard Health Review – Health benefits of peppermint