Aim For Better Health

The Healthy Essentials of Mint

One of my chiropractic patients has a little boy who tells him that he has a “crummy tummy” whenever he has a stomach ache. I’ve always liked that term. We, chiropractors, are always looking for natural, drug-free solutions to problems like a crummy tummy. One of the best digestive aids I have found is mint tea or a mixture of mint leaves. It works, tastes pretty good (even if you’re not crazy about mint flavor), works quickly, and best of all, it doesn’t have side effects as many of the over-the-counter, or prescription, digestive aids have. If works well for children, too, but of course, it isn’t always easy to get a child to drink tea, especially mint tea. So, even though I normally don’t recommend candy, I will say that mint candy, such as a candy cane (when in season) will often do the trick.

Mint, as an essential oil and used externally, is good for a number of physical ailments. It’s often used for its antiseptic and anesthetic effects. I like to add a few drops of mint oil to hot water and soak my feet after a long day at the clinic. The relaxation effect is almost immediate.

So, if you have a crummy tummy, try a little mint tea. And, if you have tired feet and legs at the end of the day, try soaking your feet in hot water tinged with a few drops of mint oil. Nature works in wonderful ways when it comes to the health of our body and mind.

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