Peppermint

Latin name: Mentha piperita

Family: Lamiaceae or mint family

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DESCRIPTIVE CHARACTERISTICS 

Part of the Plant Used

Leaf, aerial portions

Peppermint is specific for spasmodic conditions of the respiratory, digestive and urinary systems as well as itchy and inflamed skin. It has been used since the 1600s for a variety of conditions where soothing smooth muscle, relaxing skeletal muscles and improving fluid movement is the goal. Long term studies have shown peppermint may assist in the resolution of gallstones without surgical intervention.

Organoleptics

TEXTURE – dime sized serrated leaves on strong brown stems. Sturdy, mounding perennial in most zones.

COLOR – green leaves with thin white veining, pale lavender flowers.

AROMA + FLAVOR – sweet, spicy, aromatic, cooling.

CONSTITUENTS

• Flavonoids
• Phenolic acid
  • Caffeic
  • Chorogenic
  • Rosmarinic acid
• Ursolic acid
• Eriocitrin (powerful antioxidant and free radical scavenger)
• Essential oil
• Tannins

THERAPEUTIC ACTIONS

•  Antispasmodic
• Carminative
• Anti-inflammatory
• Aromatic
• Diaphoretic
• Antiemetic
• Nervine
• Antimicrobial
• Analgesic

Clinical Indications: 

• Skin Irritations
  • Bug bites, stings,
  • Poison oak exposure
  • Itching
  • Inflammation
• Gastrointestinal spasms
  • Flatulence
  • Dyspepsia
  • Intestinal colic
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Motion sickness
  • Ulcerative colitis
• Stimulates bile + digestive juices
• Respiratory Congestion
  • Nasal catarrh when used as an inhalant
• Fevers, colds, influenza
• Headaches
• Tension and anxiety
• Dysmenorrhea

Folk: Breathing difficulties, bronchitis, cold sores, coughing, gingivitis, hemorrhoids, herpes, pneumonia, neuroses, sinusitis, tendonitis, toothache.

Energetics: cooling, drying.

Meridian/Organ Affinity: Lungs, Stomach.

HERB-DRUG INTERACTIONS

May be contraindicated in pregnancy due to emmenagogue effect, in acute gallstones due to choleretic effect and hiatal hernias die the the relaxant effect of the esophageal sphincter.

Dosage

INFUSION: 1 tablespoon dry herb in one cup of boiling water. Infuse covered for 10 minutes. Drink as often as desired.

LIQUID EXTRACT: 1:1 fresh strength liquid extract, or 10-30 drops 1-4 times per day.

TINCTURE: 1 to 2 ml up to three times daily.

ESSENTIAL OIL: Six to twelve drops daily internally or 3 to 4 drops as an inhalant.

CAPSULES: enteric coated single dose of 0.2 ml up to three times daily.

Combinations: 

• Essential oil can be added to lotions or used externally for itchy skin. Ten drops per one ounce of lotion is safe for most people.
• Use peppermint tea as a cooling body soak for achy muscles.
• Use in a compress and apply to inflamed area.
• Peppermint, lavender, lemon combination as allergy remedy in diffuser.
• Combines well with spearmint and pennyroyal.

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