The Power of Peppermint

peppermintFound in the bible, Greek mythology, and documented  in ancient Egyptian medical texts from 1550 BC, peppermint has been around for more than a little while. It has been used by gypsies, witches, shaman, medicine men, herbalists, grandmothers, gardeners, etc.—across many countries and by many peoples. Its popularity in officially recognized medical uses started as early as 1240 AD. It only got more popular from there.

Peppermint.

Of course, there are over twenty-five species of mint. They are all excellent and many are interchangeable, but peppermint carries a power that is unsurpassed. During the growing season, the mint family is represented in my garden by peppermint, lemon balm, chocolate mint, and spearmint. The chocolate mint leaves are nabbed by family and friends and chewed on throughout summer. The spearmint is used for a lovely cooling iced tea I make by the pitcherful based on a childhood wintermint recipe. The lemon balm and peppermint are go-to herbs for ailments—in teas, tinctures and even externally, as bruised lemon balm leaves are great on bug bites.

So why did all those people, through all the ages, use peppermint? It’s not a short list. Peppermint has been used metaphysically to lighten the aura, create positive energy, and attract good fortune. As an herbal remedy it has been used for indigestion, IBS, gas, and colic, to help hay fever, relieve headaches, as a memory aid, to alleviate chemo-induced nausea, for cavities and bad breath, to reduce stress, to ease muscle pain, and even to handle both dandruff and lice with its antiseptic and antibacterial properties. Many of the ailment listed are handled with teas and tinctures, but the essential oil is excellent as well, most notably for muscle and chest rubs, headaches, dental care, aromatherapy, and even added to your cleaning supplies for extra antimicrobial power (and fragrance).

Peppermint.

Powerful stuff. And a go-to in our garden, our spice rack, and our medicine cabinet.

I offer peppermint in tincture form as both a single herb tincture, as well as in combination with lemon balm. Visit the shop on Etsy to experience the power herb for yourself!

* see disclaimer

Suggestion Box

suggestionIdea? Desire? Want? Wish? A-ha!?

Within hours of the shop opening, a good friend suggested an herbal bug spray and sent me running to my mother for recipes. It was an excellent idea and another way to use the herbs and avoid the chemicals of today’s products.

And this is the place for you to leave other suggestions of things you’d like to see… for instance, would my growing pains mixture (used in our house) be something everyone would be interested in? Should I add that to the line?

Let me know your thoughts, desires, dreams, wishes, wants and ideas… and we’ll see what happens from there!

Gypsy

For those Rom (et. al.) out there who may find offense at my use of the word/term gypsy, I offer a moment of my time.

The word Gypsy can refer to ethnic groups, literature, stage and screen, music, songs, transport, people, places, and more. There are television shows using the term, as well as several very popular songs. I am fully aware of the misuse of the term when we were originally thought to come from Egypt. I am fully aware of the term in a derogatory manner of gipping people. But it has been adopted by society and culture as something far removed from the negative connotations it once had. That was then. This is now.

I find absolutely no offense in my use of it, as I use it to describe myself—just as I do mom, sister, and friend. It’s what I am. It’s a nickname given to me by a dear friend and now used by many. And it’s my decision. My family is actually from Bohemia, another word (bohemian) which took on new definitions over time. I’m a Bohemia Gypsy. I could be offended by both parts of that. I’m not. I’m proud of it. Regardless of how some people use or take the term(s). If you choose to be offended that is your decision.

I use it because I am very proud, delighted, and excited to have it in my lineage. I am a gypsy—in my blood and my eclectic beliefs and attitude. We have both scoundrels and seers in our family tree. And I embrace the lineage, good and bad.

For the record, my lineage also includes Pirates =)

Welcome

030914welcomeWelcome to Gypsy Spirits…

In this area I will post new products; information about the products or herbs and oils used; informative articles, etc.

Products listed are available at our Etsy shop, and don’t forget to follow/like us on Facebook!