Juan Fernando González G.
They say that history is cyclical and that, from time to time, humanity takes up what experience dictates that it is good for its health. This is the case of medicinal plants, which have been used by practically all the peoples of the world, from the most primitive to the most civilized.

Peppermint, commonly known as black mint in England, peppermint in the United States, and lemon balm mint and English mint in Cuba,
it is a substance that has perfectly identifiable therapeutic effects. This plant is found in the wild in almost all of central and southern Europe and North Africa, but, fortunately, it is easily found throughout the world and can be cultivated in orchards, gardens or fields.

Freshness, flavor and health 

Mint, whose scientific name is Mentha piperita, is one of the most widely used plants with medicinal properties today. If we close our eyes and make a little effort, surely we can evoke the pleasant sensation of freshness that it possesses, a characteristic that has made it one of the main ingredients in countless candies, cocktails, ice creams, oils, sweets, sauces and a long etc. 

The attributes of plant mint can be summarized as follows: 
• It is used to treat digestive and respiratory diseases. 
• It has anti-inflammatory, expectorant (promotes the expulsion of accumulated bronchial secretions) and antiseptic (fights infections). 
• Calms pain and cough. 
• It is made up of the following elements: water, fiber, and minerals such as calcium, potassium, copper, and magnesium. As if that were not enough, it contains vitamins A, B, C and D. 
• If you are concerned about not gaining weight, don't worry, peppermint has only 0.03 grams of fat and 0.48 grams of carbohydrates. 

An antidepressant scent? 

Scholars say that smell is the most powerful sense and the one that most influences brain activity. 
The olfactory bulbs are part of the limbic system, that is, the part of the central nervous system that processes emotions and learning. "That's one of the reasons we constantly smell something we remember," says Beverley Hawkins, owner of the West Coast Institute of Aromatherapy, located in Vancouver, Canada. 

Essential oils not only help improve performance at work, but also overall health, says the expert, which means that employees will miss the office less because of illness. "Essential oils have antiviral and antibacterial properties, so using them in a crowded environment can help avoid germs," ​​says Hawkins. 

If we talk specifically about peppermint essential oil, we can say that it is highly effective in enhancing concentration, promoting a feeling of well-being and improving mood. It is because of these characteristics that many aromatherapists recommend the use of peppermint during a brainstorming session, because its aroma enhances energy, invigorates the mind, promotes concentration and stimulates thought, says Beverley Hawkins. 

The aromatherapist emphasizes that inhaling essential oils activates the hypothalamus - the area of ​​the brain that sends messages to other parts of the body. "Therefore, a simple inhalation of an aroma can cause many changes in the organism", which includes the activation of the immune system, the improvement of the process related to the blood pressure and the digestive stimulation. 

If you work or live with someone who might dislike the smell of mint, we give you a very simple recommendation: you can place one or two drops of this essential oil (the effects increase if it is combined with almond oil) on a cotton ball, and inhale it every time you feel like your energy is ebbing. If you work in a private place, then you can easily add five to six drops to your diffuser or electric humidifier, creating a true wall of tranquility around you. 

References:
 
 ·         Quispe, D. Uso terapéutico de Menta piperita (menta) en pobladores del asentamiento humano Las Lomas de la Pradera. Pimentel. Chiclayo, Perú. Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud Escuela Profesional de Farmacia y Bioquímica.
 https://docs.bvsalud.org/biblioref/2018/10/915645/uso-terapeutico-de-menta-piperita-menta-en-pobladores-del-asent_eRypfJU.pdf
  
 ·         Evans, L. Atrévete a probar la aromaterapia para ser más productivo.
  https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/267895
  
 ·         Doterra. https://www.doterra.com/MX/es_MX.
 https://www.doterra.com/MX/es_MX/blog/spotlight-peppermint-oil
  
 ·         Agricultura ecológica. 
 https://www.ecoagricultor.com/propiedades-y-usos-de-la-menta/
  
 ·         Zuni, J. Actividad antibacteriana “in vitro” del aceite esencial de menta (mentha piperita l.) http://repositorio.unap.edu.pe/bitstream/handle/UNAP/4194/Zuni_Mamani_Jhonny.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y