By Dori Cranmore R.N. Peppermint has often been termed the world’s oldest medicine.  It is native to Europe and is actually a cross between spearmint and water mint.  Its botanical name is mentha piperita.  Peppermint has been studied and proved by the scientific community to have numerous health benefits.  As a result, peppermint is sold in many different forms of tablets, tinctures, capsules, essential oils and teas. Health benefits of peppermint oil can include the following: Indigestion: Peppermint oil is very helpful for digestion. Peppermint can help relieve gas, nausea and stomach pain due to an irritable bowel, intestinal cramps …