Everyone knows that peppermint is a staple flavor for the Christmas season. Peppermint candy, peppermint hot chocolate, peppermint coffee, and many more things always come about more when Christmas is close. The question is, why is peppermint such a popular flavor for Christmas? Who decided that fact that’s now a widely known tradition for the Christmas season? Let’s find out.
A Short History of Peppermint
An article on Young Living Essential Oils website says that peppermint’s uses can be traced back to ancient Egypt, with records from 1550 B.C. in Egyptian medical texts highlighting its ability to alleviate stomach issues. It was so valuable that it was even used as a form of currency in Egypt, a practice that led to the modern term “mint,” referring to a place where money is coined.
Peppermint eventually spread to northern Europe from the Middle East, where its culinary and medicinal benefits gained popularity. During the Middle Ages, monks used peppermint to freshen their breath and clean their teeth. Its strong menthol scent also made it effective in keeping rodents away from cheese storage areas. By the mid-1700s, peppermint was recognized as a medicinal remedy for various ailments, including diseases and migraines. As its uses in cooking and medicine expanded, it was increasingly cultivated in gardens and eventually grown commercially on farms.
The Benefits of Peppermint
mountsinai.org explains a lot of ways Peppermint is beneficial to your health. Peppermint has long been recognized for its therapeutic properties, offering a wide range of benefits that extend beyond its refreshing taste and aroma. One of the most notable qualities of peppermint is its ability to produce a calming and numbing effect. This is primarily due to the presence of menthol, a natural compound that not only provides a cooling sensation but also acts as a mild analgesic. When applied topically, peppermint oil can help alleviate discomfort by numbing the affected area and reducing sensations of pain or irritation. It is commonly used to soothe conditions such as sore muscles, skin irritations, and headaches, providing relief through its soothing properties.
Peppermint’s medicinal uses extend to a variety of other ailments as well. It has long been used to treat digestive issues such as nausea, diarrhea, and flatulence. The menthol in peppermint helps relax the muscles in the gastrointestinal tract, promoting smoother digestion and reducing symptoms of bloating and cramping. This makes peppermint an effective remedy for indigestion and other digestive discomforts. Additionally, peppermint has been shown to ease menstrual cramps by relaxing the muscles of the uterus, helping to reduce pain and discomfort associated with menstruation.
Beyond its digestive and pain-relieving properties, peppermint has also been recognized for its potential to support mental health. It is often used to manage anxiety, particularly when it is linked to depression. The cooling sensation of peppermint can have a calming effect on the nervous system, helping to reduce feelings of stress and anxiety. This makes it a popular choice in aromatherapy, where its soothing aroma is used to promote relaxation and mental clarity. Whether consumed as a tea, applied topically as oil, or used in aromatherapy, peppermint continues to be a versatile and effective natural remedy for a variety of physical and emotional ailments.
A Christmas Flavor
Peppermint contains chemical menthol, which is what produces that icy taste. Menthol tricks our brains into perceiving a cool sensation because it activates the same nerve ending receptors involved in sensing cold! While scientists aren’t quite sure why, we are hard-wired to enjoy the refreshing, cooling sensation, as it can satiate thirst, increase alertness, and ease breathing. The cooling sensation of peppermint feels like winter. However, this is not the sole reason Peppermint has completely taken over the Christmas season.
According to epicurious.org, the strong connection between peppermint and the holiday season likely stems from the popularity of peppermint candy canes, although several theories exist about how this iconic treat became associated with Christmas. Peppermint, a plant native to the Middle East and Europe, has been used for centuries, including for medicinal purposes, and many American candy-making techniques can be traced back to these regions. The origin of the candy cane itself dates back to around 1670, when a choirmaster in Cologne, Germany, sought a way to keep children quiet during a live Nativity performance. He asked a local confectioner to create a special hard candy to occupy the children, which was shaped like a cane, or more specifically, a shepherd’s staff.
Christmas is Near and Peppermint is Everywhere
While Peppermint is widely known as a popular Christmas season flavor, it’s a lot more than that. Peppermint stands as a remarkable herb with a rich history and a wide array of therapeutic benefits. Its soothing properties, from relieving headaches and muscle pain to easing digestive issues like nausea and flatulence, have made it a go-to remedy for many. The calming effects of peppermint, often attributed to its menthol content, also extend to mental health, where it helps alleviate symptoms of anxiety and stress. Its versatility across various forms—whether as an essential oil, tea, or topical application—ensures that peppermint remains an accessible and effective natural remedy. It’s the perfect flavor to encourage and spread Christmas cheer this month.
