Alternative medicine: Peppermint
Tue, 27 Nov 2007 15:31:52
By Patricia Khashayar, MD., Press TV, Tehran
Peppermint, a popular gum and toothpaste flavor, is not only a calming agent but also soothes stomachaches and helps indigestion.
Botanical: Mentha piperita
Family: N.O. Labiatae
Synonym: Brandy Mint.
Habitat:
Peppermint, native to Europe and Asia, grows wild in moist and temperate areas. Some varieties are indigenous to South Africa, South America, and Australia.
Description:
Peppermint is a hybrid mint, a cross between watermint (Mentha aquatica) and spearmint (Mentha spicata). The plant grows to about 60cm tall and has simple, toothed, and fragrant leaves growing opposite to the flowers.
The stems, 60 to 120cm high, are quadrangular and 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.
The entire plant has a distinctive odor, due to the volatile oil present in all its parts. When consumed it has a hot, aromatic taste at first, and produces a cold sensation in the mouth due to the menthol it contains.
Part Used Medicinally:
Herb. Leaves.
Constituents:
The essential oil of peppermint (up to 2.5% in the dried leaves) is mostly made up from menthol (50%), menthone (10 to 30%), menthyl esters (up to 10%) and further monoterpene derivatives (pulegone, piperitone, menthofurane).
It contains high amounts of manganese, vitamin C and A as well as trace amounts of various other nutrients such as fiber, iron, calcium, folate, potassium, tryptophan, magnesium, omega-3 fatty acids, riboflavin, and copper.
Menthol and menthyl acetate, which are responsible for peppermint's pungent and refreshing odor, are mostly found in older leaves.
Medicinal Uses:
Peppermint oil allays morning sickness and nausea, and is used to disguise the taste of unpalatable drugs. Its anti-spasmodic quality adds to peppermint's power of relieving pains originating from the alimentary tract.
Peppermint is good for certain forms of dyspepsia, and used in flatulence and colic disorders. When its stomachic effects are required it should be combined with other medicines.
Peppermint calms the muscles of the stomach and improves the bile flow, which the body uses to digest fats. It may also help the body break down gallstones.
Spirit of peppermint in hot water or peppermint oil given in doses of one or two drops on sugar are good household remedies for flatulent colic.
Inhaling peppermint or applying it to the skin can relax muscles; it also inhibits the growth of certain bacteria.
It is widely used in cholera, diarrhea, sudden abdominal pains and cramps.
As tea or tablets, peppermint is a treatment for colds, coughing, acute respiratory difficulties, and bacteria, fungal and viral infections.
Inhaling peppermint oil can soothe allergy-irritated nasal passages. Rubbing it on the chest relives other respiratory discomforts. It has also been proven to have antiviral properties against a number of infectious agents, including herpes.
Peppermint oil has been recommended for puerperal fevers, in divided doses.
An infusion of equal quantities of peppermint herb and Elder flowers can cure colds or mild influenza within 36 hours, without risk of overdose or harmful effects on the heart.
Peppermint is used to raise internal heat and induce perspiration, although its strength is soon exhausted.
Peppermint tea is good for palpitation.
Its calming and numbing effect have made it an excellent treatment for headaches, skin irritations, morning and travel sickness, depression-associated anxiety, and nausea.
Applying peppermint topically soothes skin irritations caused by hives, poison ivy, or poison oak.
Research has shown that applying peppermint to the forehead and temples favorably compares with acetaminophen in terms of its ability to reduce headache symptoms.
Peppermint and its main active agent, menthol, are effective decongestants. It is also a good expectorant, and soothes sore throats and dry coughs.
It helps the appetite by increasing saliva.
Medicine containing menthol can relieve the pain of rheumatism, neuralgia, throat infections and toothaches. It also acts as a local anaesthetic, vascular stimulant and disinfectant.
Peppermint has also been used to reduce muscle spasms associated with endoscopy, colonoscopy and barium enemas.
Peppermint can also be a treatment for the ulcerative conditions of the bowels.
Preparation:
Applying the oil from fresh peppermint leaves to the body can relive rheumatic affections, headaches and local pains.
Lightly coating the forehead with a tincture of 10% peppermint oil, and allowing it to evaporate treats tension headaches.
Peppermint tea soothes stomach discomfort and can aid digestion. It can be prepared by pouring boiling water over the herb and steeping for 3 to 5 minutes.
Caution:
Peppermint tea is generally a safe way to soothe stomachaches. However, individuals with gastoesophageal reflux disease should not use peppermint even though they might have symptoms like indigestion and heartburn.
Pregnant or nursing women should drink peppermint tea only in moderation and those with a history of miscarriage should not use peppermint during pregnancy.
Menthol or peppermint oil applied to the skin can cause contact dermatitis or other rashes like hives.
Some have described experiencing hot flashes from using the oil.
Small children or infants should not inhale the oil and it should be kept away from the eyes and mucus membranes.
Peppermint oil should be diluted and taken in very small amounts, since it can cause negative effects like cramping and diarrhea, rarely drowsiness, tremor, muscle pain, slowed heart rate, and in severe cases of overdose, coma.
Pure menthol is poisonous and should never be taken internally.
Topical peppermint oil increases the absorption of 5-fluorouracil, a medication used in cancer treatment.
Menthol is a known allergen, which may cause cardiac collapse in some children.
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