Peppermint

Growth form:

Terran peppermint, rapidly spreading herb.

Uses:

Edible: In 'sweet sticks' (hard candy).Flavors sauces, vinegar, vegetables, desserts, used in teas, and candies.

Medicinal: Peppermint oil has a mild antiseptic action. Mints are stimulant, aid digestion, reduce flatulence. Peppermint is Antiseptic , antiparasitic, and antiviral. Peppermint is included in ointments and cold remedies and given for headaches and other aches and pains. The scent of the essential oil is inhaled to treat shock and nausea and improves concentration. The essential oil is also used for fatigue, digestion, travel sickness, headaches, toothache, and skin irritations.

Additional Info

Part used: Aerial

Constituents: Volatile oil (2%) containing methol, menthone and jasmone, tannins, bitter principle, Phenolic acids (rosmarinic, chlorogenic, caffeic), flavonoids (luteolin, rutin, hesperidin), gum, resins, nutrients (carotenes, choline, vitamin E, minerals)

Actions

Carminative, antispasmodic, aromatic, diaphoretic, anti-emetic, nervine, anti-septic, analgesic, anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory, decongestant, anti-tussive, peripheral vasodilator, choleretic, cholagogue, emmenagogue, anti-pruritic

Medical uses

Will inhibit mucous secretion temporarily because of it’s menthol component. It can be used whenever there is excess mucous secreted, helping also with it’s antispasmodic and carminative actions. Is one of the best carminatives available, having a relaxing effect on visceral muscles and relieving intestinal colic and flatulence. The volatile oil acts as a mild anaesthetic to the stomach wall which help with feelings of nausea during travel or pregnancy. Essential oil be used topically for rheumatism, sprains & strains.

Pharmacology:

VO, menthol is anti-tussive, antiseptic, topical anaesthetic and irritant. VO relaxes smooth muscle and acts as an anti-spasmodic and a cooling carminative. Carminative effects act by relaxing esophageal sphincter and allowing air to be released. Extract has analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects.