>> SOOTHE STOMACH WOES Ancient Egyptians used the herb to soothe indigestion. Today herbalist prescribe it for a number of stomach problems, including colic, nausea, hiccups and diarrhea and it appears that modern medicine may some day follow suit.

In one study, Taiwanese researchers gave 110 patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) either 0.2 ml of peppermint oil or a placebo three or four times a day. After a month. 79% of the peppermint takers reported feeling less abdominal pain, compared with 43% of those on placebo. Other research shows that peppermint oil relaxes the smooth muscles of the digestive tract, easing spasms, pain, bloating and gas. But the herb can increase bile flow, so people with gallbladder problems shouldn’t take it. Due to peppermint’s effects on smooth muscles, it can acid reflux and heartburn.