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Plant
Remedies Mint
Mint mentha spp.
At least 30 species of mint are thought to exist
today. Peppermint (Mentha piperita ) is more commonly used medicinally in
the West. The plant is found throughout Europe, in moist situations. All
the mints yield fragrant oils by distillation. It is a colourless,
yellowish or greenish liquid, with a peculiar, highly penetrating odour.
The chief constituent of peppermint oil is menthol.
The local anaesthetic action of peppermint oil is
exceptionally strong. It is also a powerful antiseptic, two properties
making it valuable in the treatment of toothache.
The aerial part of the plant is used to relax the
muscles of the digestive tract and stimulate bile flow and so is useful
for colic and flatulence.
Constituents
Volatile oils, tannins, flavonoids, tocopherols,
choline,
Character
Chinese herbal
medicine regards it as pungent, dry, generally cooling
Action
It is traditionally
used as an antispasmodic, digestive tonic, it can prevent vomiting, can
relax peripheral blood vessels, it can promote sweating, promote bile flow
and have analgesic properties
Application
Infusion This is traditionally used for
nausea, travel sickness, flatulence, colic, fevers, migraines. In cases of
hysteria and nervous disorders, it is found to be well augmented by the
addition of Wood Betony and/or tincture of Caraway. An
infusion of equal quantities of peppermint herb and Elder flowers can be
useful in a cold or mild attack of influenza
Tincture This is traditionally used for
nausea, indigestion, travel sickness, flatulence, colic, fevers,
migraines.
Compress Soak a pad in the infusion. This
can be applied to cool inflamed joints, rheumatism or neuralgia
Inhalation This may be useful in nasal
congestion. Put a few leaves in boiling water.
Cautions
Avoid prolonged use
as an inhalant as it can irritate the mucous membranes and should not be
given to children for more than one week without a break. Do
not use while breast-feeding.
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This page was last updated on 18 December 2006 21:07:26
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