Peppermint (Mentha Piperita) Peppermint is a hybrid perennial plant which is found mostly cultivated but also found wild in moist soil in the eastern U.S. and in Europe. The whole plant has the characteristic smell of menthol.
Peppermint definitely falls into my category of favorite herbs. While it is well known as an excellent stomach tonic for poor digestion, heartburn, nausea and insomnia. I have always found it an outstanding treatment for sinus inflammation and to relieve the constant coughing associated with bronchitis. Anyone paying attention to the news of late has heard the latest credo from the medical community; cough suppressants simply do not work and they should not be given to children. What then is a parent to do?
Nothing is more disturbing than lying awake at night listening to the constant, painful coughing of a spouse or child. If over-the-counter cough suppressants are ineffective, what will work? My suggestion would be to try a very strong cup of peppermint tea. No, I am not a doctor, and before administering any type of treatment, you should first discuss it with a medical professional.
That said, I have a history of bronchitis, generally brought on by a sinus infection. The constant sinus drainage collects in my chest and I begin to cough until it sounds like I am trying to hack up a lung. The chest tightens to the point where it is difficult to breath, and the constant coughing eliminates any hope of sleeping. When you suffer through that enough times, you?re willing to try just about anything.
Prepare a cup of very strong peppermint tea. If you are using tea bags, use at least 2 bags to a standard teacup. Allow the bags to steep until the tea is very dark. To take away a bit of the bitterness you can add a tablespoon of honey, which helps to sooth the throat.
Don?t just gulp the tea down. The greatest relief from this herbal remedy is obtained by inhaling the steam from of the tea. Hold the cup beneath your nose and inhale deeply. The fumes will instantly begin to reduce the swelling of the sinus passages, allowing you to breath easier.
The combination of fumes and drinking the hot tea will also begin to loosen up the mucus in your chest, and coughing will become more productive.
If your children happen to be anything like mine, they might be a bit resistant to drinking this tea, even with the honey. But rest assured, they will get almost as much benefit from simply breathing in the fumes as they will from drinking the tea. Set them up at the kitchen table with the tea under their nose. Drape a towel over their head and let them breath in the fumes until the tea cools.
Peppermints' natural calming properties make this a wonderful tea to drink just before bed. It will help you to relax and finally get a decent nights? rest.
Reference: The Herb Book, by John Lust,Benedict Lust Pub.1974
M.K. Welty hosts an informational website on herbs, herbal remedies and herbal gardening. For more great tips on Using Herbs and Herbal Gardening visit, http://www.UsingHerbs.Com | |
