2 Ounce
The 10 most essential and honorable herbs
This month I would like to talk about Peppermint. It grows almost everywhere. It is a square-stemmed annual that yields the popular flavoring agent. It grows from thirty-two to thirty-six inches high and has aromatic serrated leaves. The two main cultivated forms are the black mint, which has violet-colored leaves and stems and a relatively high essential oil content, and the white mint, which has pure green leaves and a milder taste. The finest-quality peppermint is grown in the northwestern United States.
The Romans used peppermint as a stomach aid and to promote digestion. The Greeks also used this herb for many different ailments; Native Americans used peppermint leaf tea to prevent vomiting, nausea, and fevers. A strong cup of tea circulates quickly and acts more powerfully than any liquor stimulant. Also used for colds and cough and kills microorganisms that can cause food poisoning, relieves the pain of sprains and strains and helps freshen lingering bad breath. Tea is also for colic, food allergies, indigestion and motion sickness it has a cleansing, soothing and relaxing effect on the body.
Research has found numerous volatile oils in peppermint that possesses antibacterial activity. Peppermint leaves contain volatile (essential) oil that is 50 to 75% menthol. The oil of peppermint is also thought to soothe gastrointestinal contractions and helps relieve gas. It brings oxygen into the blood stream. The oil is also used for Crohn's disease, hepatitis, food poisoning, gallstones, headaches, stress and irritable bowel syndrome. It is useful for bowel problems, convulsions and spasms in children.
This herb cleans and strengthens the entire body. It is very soothing to the system as well as strengthening for the heart muscles. An herb that is good for many remedies and is useful to have around the house.
It is rich in vitamin A, which is a protectant and healing agent for the organs and tissues of the body. Rich in B-complex vitamins, which calm the nerves, protect against disease, promote a good appetite and digestion. It is high in calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, iron, selenium, manganese, vitamin C, silicon and zinc.
It has many external uses. There is nothing like a peppermint bath after a long day's work to cleanse and strengthen your personal magnetic field. If you work with computers or deal with a large number of people an herbal bath will enhance your circulation, help lessen the effects of overexposure to the elements (Whether from the job environment or from the sun), Soothe your nerves and emotions, and act as a nice rejuvenator at the end of the day. For skin peppermint oil and tea help stimulate circulation to surface skin
tissues. A few drops in massage or skin oil will help tone the skin. Use tea for itchy skin rashes and chronic irritations.
For a facial to help cleanse the pores, stimulates circulation, and enhances a healthy glow in the skin. Steam the face as you would for sinus by making a strong pot of tea and holding your face over the steaming brew for 15-20 minutes. For a hair rinse that is a stimulating tonic for the scalp and hair. And for teething - rub 1 drop of oil, diluted with 10 drops olive oil and apply straight onto the painful gums for a temporary numbing action. For a toothache rub peppermint oil directly onto the gum.
Caution:
Considerations for use - when using peppermint oil, it important not to exceed the recommended dosage. Larger doses may cause burning, gastrointestinal upset, and even seizures. If you drink peppermint tea on a regular basis, take a few days’ break after a week or two. Pregnant women with morning sickness should use diluted peppermint tea rather than more potent forms of this herb. However you should use it for morning sickness if you have a history of miscarriage. People with chronic
heartburn also should avoid this herb. You should avoid it all together if you have any other type of gallbladder disorder.
