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The Peppermint Predicament

Joette Calabrese, HMC, PHom M

December 22nd, 2019  |  24 Comments

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Joette Calabrese

It’s Christmastime. The sights, the sounds, the tastes and smells …

Wait.

Those tastes and smells. 

Uh-oh.

Some intense aromatics — especially the peppermint that abounds during Christmas — may cause some to have concerns when utilizing homeopathic medicines. I see this question asked quite frequently on Facebook, in the comment section of my blogs and by my students.

But it's not as concerning as you might think. 

 When using the classical method of homeopathy, strong aromatics are more of a cause for concern for antidoting.

This is because, in the classical method, homeopathic medicines are generally not taken daily over a period of time. Most classical homeopaths usually recommend you avoid aromatics and such entirely while undergoing homeopathic treatment because the medicine will not get a second, third or fourth chance to act. 

However, with the Banerji method and my Practical Homeopathy®, homeopathic medicines are usually taken more frequently.

So, even if the aromatics indeed antidote the medicine you just took, another dose is not far behind…often to be repeated within a day or so. Hence, the homeopathic action is commenced again.

There’s also a misunderstanding that if mint is ingested or sniffed, all the good that has been accrued will be erased, leaving the person to start afresh after months of improvement. 

This is not true. 

Instead, if an antidote is consumed, it will simply halt the action of the medicine during that specific moment in time; the initial homeopathic is typically started again once the schedule of medicines is resumed and is normally able to pick up where it left off.  

Therefore, it's permissible to use aromatics as long as you understand that if it's strong enough to cause an antidote, you’ll simply be repeating the medicine once the smell/taste has left your nose/mouth. 

So, until you get the hang of this, a little prudence may be in order, but certainly not angst!  

I’ve used this example before: When you are scheduled to take a homeopathic remedy but you can still smell that minty eucalyptus muscle rub you applied an hour before — there's a chance the remedy will not act. 

However, if the smell has worn off and you're taking the remedy with a “clean” nose, so to speak (meaning no strong mint or tea tree smells are present), it’s likely the medicine will be effective. 

Having said all of this, some folks are more sensitive to smells and tastes than others. 

This means you might not be able to use mint toothpaste without negating your homeopathic, while your husband can do so with total impunity.

So, during this season of seemingly unavoidable tastes and smells, the same practice applies. If you go to the home of a neighbor who burns eucalyptus and pine candles or sprays pungent Christmassy scents throughout her home, don’t run out the door screaming! You don’t want to become the talk of the neighborhood, do you?

No. Don’t fret. Just return to your homeopathic medicine’s schedule when your nose is clear of those scents.

While perhaps in a perfect world you might avoid that peppermint bark or enticing candy cane, complete abnegation is difficult — and not much fun — at this time of year. At least endeavor to have no strong lingering taste in your mouth by the time you utilize your chosen homeopathic remedy.

If you judiciously space your treats and cheats somewhat, chances are the homeopathic remedies will still be effective.

Pass on the good news of homeopathy!

Warmly,

Joette Calabrese

P.S. Tonight, in Jewish homes around the world, a candle on the Hanukkah menorah will be lit — continuing for eight days until they all shine brightly!

It is a wonderful celebration of family, giving thanks and rededication. I want to take a moment to wish all of my Jewish friends, clients and students a very Happy Hanukkah.

Blessings to you and your loved ones during the Festival of Lights.

 

I am a homeopath with a worldwide practice working with families and individuals via Zoom. I'm also a teacher and most importantly, a mom who raised my now-adult children depending on homeopathy over the last 31 years. I lived decades of my life with food intolerances, allergies, and chemical sensitivities until I was cured with homeopathy, so I understand pain, anxiety, and suffering. You may feel that your issues are more severe or different than anyone else’s, but I have seen it all in my practice and in my work in India. My opinion is that nothing has come close to the reproducible, safe and effective results that my clients, students and I have achieved with homeopathy.

Call today and learn how homeopathy might just be the missing piece in your health strategy.


Joette is not a physician and the relationship between Joette and her clients is not of prescriber and patient, but as educator and client. It is fully the client's choice whether or not to take advantage of the information Joette presents. Homeopathy doesn't "treat" an illness; it addresses the entire person as a matter of wholeness that is an educational process, not a medical one. Joette believes that the advice and diagnosis of a physician is often in order.


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The Author disclaims all liability for any loss or risk, personal or otherwise incurred as a consequence of use of any material in this article. This information is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.



 

24 thoughts on “The Peppermint Predicament”

  1. Joyce says:

    Hi Joette, and thanks for the clarification. Not long ago I came across this article from the American Association of Homeopathic Pharmacists that agrees with your viewpoint about mint. They say also that even Samuel Hahnemann did not tell his patients to avoid mint altogether, but just to have a “clean Mouth” before taking a remedy, and that he “strongly disapproved of making a patient’s diet difficult or restrictive.” https://www.theaahp.org/articles/dont-skip-the-mint/

  2. Heidi Grasse says:

    Excellent information. Thank you 🙂

  3. Megan says:

    How interesting and up to date info. So helpful!

  4. M Schultz says:

    Many CBD products have mint oil or cinnamon oil in them and are taken daily. Does this mean you will have to stop taking your CBD before you take your homeopathy treatment?

    1. Joette Calabrese, HMC, CCH, RSHom(Na) says:

      It does not mean that. It’s likely you’ll be able to use both.

  5. Kingston says:

    Thanks for another great post. Love you Joette

  6. Grace Bird says:

    Thank you for the very clear clarification on this topic.

  7. Lore says:

    Fascinating, I appreciate this information very much, it increased my cache of understanding

  8. Sarah Kate says:

    Joette, I appreciate all you do for homeopathy, but this time, I just wanted to thank you for your contribution to our vocabularies by using the word “abnegation”!

    1. Joette Calabrese, HMC, CCH, RSHom(Na) says:

      Good word; isn’t it?

  9. Marie Detgen says:

    This is just what I needed to hear!! Thanks so much for all your wonderful, informative posts.
    God bless and Merry Christmas. xoxox

    1. Joette Calabrese, HMC, CCH, RSHom(Na) says:

      Merry Christmas to you and your family Marie.

  10. Sue says:

    Thank you for providing tips and info about homeopathy and various remedies. I learn a little bit each time!

    When taking cell salts 3-4x/day do you need to avoid aromatics, such as mint oils, in toothpaste? I’m not sure if cell salts are part of the classical method mentioned in the blog.

    1. Joette Calabrese, HMC, CCH, RSHom(Na) says:

      Cell salts are just like any other homeopathic medicines and there is a chance of antidoting but not as likely as one might assume.

      1. Sue says:

        Thank you!! Given how many toothpastes and powders have mint in them, would you consider adding a few links for homeopathy ‘safe’ toothpastes or powders in your FAQ section under ‘antidoting’? So far I’ve found 2, maybe 3 – though I’m not a fan of some of their other ingredients…

        1. Joette Calabrese, HMC, CCH, RSHom(Na) says:

          Google my name and the words “toothpaste”.

  11. Casey says:

    Does this apply to all aromatherapy or just the few you mention? Also, I do Ayurveda. Will this affect the the results of my remedies?

    1. Joette Calabrese, HMC, CCH, RSHom(Na) says:

      Only aromatics.

  12. Lisa says:

    A popular homeopath (classical) online refers to mint’s effect remaining in the body for up to 5 weeks according to Kent (I believe) – your thoughts on whether this is so and if so, would it mean that a remedy in the near future may fail to act (such as Arnica if sudden need arose.) Thanks… Loved the article. Bless you, Joette.

    1. Joette Calabrese, HMC, CCH, RSHom(Na) says:

      I have no experience with this kind of action. The true indication would be revealed when the efficacy of subsequent medicines fail to act. You might want to ask the online homeopath for further information.

  13. Efrem Gatt says:

    Hello Joette,

    Many thanks for all you teach us in Homeopathy.

    If we use cinnamon and spice essence in a candle burner does that antidote the remedies we’d have had?

    Many thanks

    Efrem

    1. Joette Calabrese, HMC, CCH, RSHom(Na) says:

      Not to my knowledge.

  14. Lisa says:

    Helpful information…Thank you!

  15. Raven Kasprzak says:

    very good information about the mint and CBD.

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