Candy Canes Fight Germs, Settle Stomachs

Candy Cane Dreams, originally uploaded by photo kitten.

I wandered across this article, Candy Canes Fight Germs, Settle Stomachs, today. It describes that researchers have recently discovered that peppermint (and other herbs in the the family Lamiaceae, or mint family) are a natural defense against irritable bowl syndome because they inhibit growth of bacteria. Of course, the suggestion isn't that a candy cane a day is the cure. Researchers suggest increasing consumption of the herbs like peppermint may be helpful.

The article also points out that, "essential oils for horseradish, garlic, hyssop, basil, marjoram, oregano, winter savory, and three types of thyme also showed potent bacteria-busting abilities." Of these, peppermint is more likely to sweeten breath.

I suppose it makes sense to chose a toothpaste flavored with essential oils from peppermint. A friend of mine introduced me to Tom's All Natural Toothpaste. Perhaps the peppermint in brands like this sweeten breath, and kills a few germs too.

Another tid bit about candy canes...

Photo kitten, the flickr user that posted this image, has information about how the original candy canes were a single color. It was in the 1920's that one creative confectioner started twisting color into the candy.