By Mary N. DiZazzo

Aromas from the Garden are Healing

Ciao bella,

Angelo and Mary Di Zazzo -- my Nana and Nano

So what’s in your garden? Besides the usual herbs for culinary necessity there is peppermint.

Peppermint is a hybrid mint which is a cross between spearmint and water mint. The plant can now be found all over the world but its roots were in Europe and Asia.

While producing purple flowers the peppermint plant contains menthol, considered to be a volatile oil. The menthol’s enticingly cool and spicy fragrance can be used in aromatherapy known to relieve exhaustion, stress and anxiety. When the oil is applied to skin it can brighten and cool it.

The oil can also be diluted with jojoba oil and when applied topically will prevent acne and clogged pores. If you experience a flaky scalp, add a few drops of oil to your shampoo.

Peppermint is also mentioned in the Bible to relieve pain. Doctors will tell you to soak your achy part in warm water and peppermint oil. You can find peppermint in lip balm with its cooling effects to soothe sunburned, windblown and chapped lips.

It’s heaven when peppermint bath salts are used to relax cramped muscles and ease respiratory illnesses. Even just a whiff of a fresh brewed cup of peppermint tea will have its aromatic value. Drinking it aids in digestion.

Peppermint is also a common ingredient in toothpaste and mouthwash for its antiseptic properties.

My Nana and Nano grew an amazing garden every summer including mint. Nano always smelled of the mint which emanated from his shirt pocket! He would always say “It’s good for you! I can’t ever remember him without that mint his shirt pocket.

You can find various products containing peppermint such as creams, footbaths, hair products and lotions. So “feel the heal” and do it minty!

Wishing all my Post Gazette colleagues and my loyal readers a safe, healthy fun-filled 4th of July! Buona giornata and God bless the United States of America!

--Mary N. DiZazzo-Trumbull

P.S. Newsflash—New product from LUSH “A Breath of Fresh Air” made with seawater is a spritz spray to cool you off and wake you up! A must for your "pool/beach bag and “hot flash” experiences!

Read prior weeks' "All That Zazz" columns at www.allthatzazz.com. Mary is a third-generation cosmetologist and a Massachusetts distributor of Kosmea brand rose hip oil products. She may be contacted at (978) 470-8183 or mary@mary4nails.com.