Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Mentha piperita STOKES


English Name : Peppermint

Family : Lamiaceae

Description
The leaves of this kind of mint are shortly but distinctly stalked, 2 inches or more in length, and 3/4 to 1 1/2 inches broad, their margins finely toothed, their surfaces smooth, both above and beneath, or only very slightly, hardly visibly, hairy on the principal veins and mid-rib on the underside. The stems, 2 to 4 feet high, are quadrangular, often purplish. The whorled clusters of little reddish-violet flowers are in the axils of the upper leaves, forming loose, interrupted spikes, and rarely bear seeds.

Habitat
Global including Uttar Pradesh (India) and Kashmir

Parts Used : Leaf, flower, plant and its essential oil

Herb Effects
Peppermint and menthol possess carminative, antispasmodic, and choleretic properties, and are also used as an external analgesic and nasal decongestant. antiseptic, relieves flatulence, soothes the stomach stimulant and promotes the flow of bile (plant); alleviates spasms (leaf); antifungal (essential oil); diuretic and expectorant.

Active Ingredients
Menthol, menthone, menthy acetate, phellandrene, pinene, L-limonene, cadinene, terpinene, cineole, acetic acid, amyl alcohol, acetaldehyde, isovaleric acid, isovaleric aldehyde and a lactone (essential oil).

Medicinal Use
Stomach problems (including colic), gall bladder pains, nausea and as a stimulant (plant); headache and local aches (leaf); diuretic, alleviating spasms and as an expectorant (during colds). The anti-spasmodic quality relieves pain arising in the alimentary canal. Due to its stimulating, stomachic and carminative properties, it is effective in treating certain forms of dyspepsia, flatulence and colic. Peppermint tea is used also for palpitation of the heart. In cases of hysteria and nervous disorders, an infusion of Peppermint is administered.

Dosage
Infusion: pour a cup of boiling water onto a heaped teaspoonful of the dried herb and leave to infuse for 10 minutes. This may be drunk as often as desired.
Tincture: l-2ml three times a day.
Tea: 1 and 1/2 to 2 cups a day. for 6 or 7 days in a row.
Oil: 2 or 3 drops on a sugar cube w/ hot (regular) tea; for gas pains, take 1 or 2 drops in half glass of water.

Contraindication
Peppermint is contraindicated for hiatus hernia because of its relaxing effect of the esophageal sphincter.

Reference

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