Peppermint 100 g, 50 g, 25 g

Peppermint – 100 g ($10.99), 50 g ($7.99) or 25 g ($5.99)

Benefits:

Peppermint is a general stimulant. A strong cup of peppermint tea circulates quickly and acts more powerfully than any liquor stimulant. This herb has a long history as a digestive aid and as a treatment for the symptoms of cough, colds, and fever. It kills microorganisms that can cause food poisoning, relieves the pain of sprains and strains, and helps freshen lingering bad breath. It also is good for nausea and vomiting. The leaves and oil are approved for different uses by the German Commission E. The peppermint leaves are approved for spastic complaints of the gastrointestinal tract as well as for the gallbladder and bile ducts. It is also helpful for symptoms related to digestion problems such as dyspepsia, flatulence, gastritis, and enteritis. The oil is approved for internal use for spastic discomfort of the upper gastrointestinal system and bile ducts, irritable colon, breathing difficulties, and inflammation of the mouth tissue. Externally, it is approved for muscle pain and neuralgia. Homeopathic remedies include one for colds.

Peppermint oil is effective at protecting food from spoiling, as shown by its amazing ability to stop the growth of Salmonella bacteria. Japanese experiments with a number of foods stored at 86°F (30°C) for two days showed that peppermint oil stopped the growth of Salmonella and slowed the growth of Listeria, another harmful type of microbe.

Dyspepsia (upset stomach or indigestion). If queasiness, nausea, a feeling of fullness, or severe vomiting is a problem, a single cup of peppermint tea will often bring relief. Because of the herb’s antispasmodic effects, it eases gas pain and heartburn. In one study, 42 percent of patients with nonulcerative dyspepsia who used a combination of peppermint and caraway oils became pain free after two weeks; after four weeks, 90 percent were pain free.

Gallstones. During an acute attack, peppermint relieves mild spasms of the bile duct. It also helps to dissolve gallstones and increase bile flow. In one study, 73 percent of patients with common bile duct stones who used a peppermint product (Rowachol) passed their stones after eighteen months.

Headache and stress. When it is applied topically, peppermint oil can relieve headache. Researchers at Christian-Albrechts University in Germany found that peppermint oil, applied to the forehead, has the same pain-relieving effect as 1,000 milligrams of acetaminophen. In most subjects, regardless of age or sex or the duration of the headache, peppermint was just as effective at relieving pain as acetaminophen. However, another study showed that peppermint offered only a 10 percent reduction in headaches after fifteen minutes. Applying peppermint oil to the temples can also relax your muscles and decrease tension.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). IBS is a condition in which the intestines pass food through to the colon before it is fully digested, causing cramping and diarrhea. Peppermint oil blocks the contractions of the smooth muscles lining the intestines, reversing some of the symptoms of IBS. In one study, patients with IBS using enteric-coated peppermint oil capsules experienced improvement in symptoms such as abdominal pain, bloating, constipation, diarrhea, and passage of gas or mucus. After one month, 75 percent of the patients had a 50 percent or greater improvement in symptoms. Peppermint oil also worked for children who had IBS or recurrent abdominal pain. For children, the effective dose was 180 to 200 milligrams a day.

Recommended Use

Peppermint is available in menthol lozenges, peppermint oil, enteric-coated peppermint-oil capsules, and teas. Peppermint oil can be used in aromatherapy.

You should never ingest pure menthol and use leaves with caution and only under the care of a doctor, because they contain substances that can be toxic. Ingestion of leaves should especially be avoided by those with a history of gallstones, as there have been reports of colic or liver pain occurring. Pure peppermint may cause cardiac arrhythmias, and even small doses of pure menthol can be life-threatening. Peppermint leaves are not recommended for use during pregnancy. If you drink peppermint tea on a regular basis, take a few days’ break after a week or two.

Peppermint oil is not to be used by anyone with biliary duct problems, gallbladder inflammation, or severe liver damage. When using peppermint oil, it is important not to exceed the recommended dosage. It is not recommended for people with esophageal reflux, as it can lead to gastric complaints. Larger doses may cause burning, gastrointestinal upset, and even seizures. Some people have developed skin rashes, abdominal pain, heartburn, and perianal burning. Do not apply to open wounds or areas such as the eyes. The oil should never be applied to the face of infants and small children, particularly around the nose. There have been some reports of severe asthma-like symptoms. However, rubbing 5 to 15 drops of peppermint oil to the chest and back is safe.

Peppermint can cause depletion of or interference with the heartburn drug cisapride (Propulsid). It is ill-advised to use peppermint with calcium channel blockers, as the drug’s effectiveness may be reduced. Drugs that are metabolized by the cytochrome P450 system should not be used with peppermint. Only use peppermint for mild spasms. Do not use when symptoms are absent, since it may slow the passage of bile. You should avoid it altogether if you have any other type of gallbladder disorder.

Botanical Name: Mentha piperita
English: Peppermint
Also, known as: Eqama, Nana, Nana Al-Fulfuli, Nanha, Nana, Sahe Bara, Ananookh, Anamux, Poduna, Miata, Miata Percavaja, Pudina, Bent-Liorzh, Bent, Menta Pebrera, Pak Hom Ho, Bohk Hoh, Wuh Jiu Bohk: Hoh, eung Faa Cho, Abson, Ashinsthoi, Asinstoi, Hasin, Koganos, Pasinstoi, Paprena Metvica, Máta, Máta eprná, Mentol, Pebermynte, Fefurument, Putna, Pepermunt, Mento, Pipromento, Nanah, Puneh, Piparminttu, lenthe Anglaise, Menthe Poivrée, Sentebon, Mionnt, Menta, Podina, Mitai, Pfefferminze, Minze, Edelminze, Englische Minze, Phudino, Farfesu, Minti, Podina, Pudina, Pepermint, Piparmint, Menta, Fodormenta, Borsos Menta, Borsmenta, Piparminta, Daun Pudina, Daun Poko, Bijanngut, Janggot, Milseán Miontais, Miontas, Mismin, Menta Pepe, Menta Peperina, Menta Piperita, Hakka, Seiyo-Hakka, Seiyo-Hakka, Minto, Pepaminto; Oranda-Hakka, Midori-Hakka, Merugu, Pudina, Pudina, Vilayiti Pudina, Chi Poho, Chi Ankam-Derm, Heobu, Hobu, Mintu, Pepeo-Mintu, Pepo-Mintu; Supiec-Mintu, Daun Pudina, Pohok, Pokok Kepari, Karppoora Thulasi, Puthina, Batrash, Gaa, Chinzhüünij Gaa, Pudina, Babari, Peppermynte, Podina, Mieta Pieprzowa, Hortelä-Pimenta, Myata Perechnaya, Menta, Pitoma Nana, Nana, Metvica, Hierbabuena, Menta, Piperita, Pereminde, Pepparmynta, Miriyala Dravakamu, Olca Chettu, Bai Saranai, Peppeo-Mint, Saranae, Saranae Yipun, Saranae Farang, Myata Pertseva, Myata Kholodna, Myyata Hladka, Pakhnyachka, Fufurmint, Lana, Amentha, American Mint, Balm Mint, Brandy Mint, Cabra-Caa, Curled Mint, Doun Menta Piperita, Hierbabuena, Hortela Pimenta, Katzenkraut, Lamb Mint, La Menta, Lamint, Menta Piemonte, Mentea Peperina, Mentha Pepe, Menthe, Menthe Anglaise, Menthe Poivrée, Moto Yuyo, Nána, Ni Naa, Ni na El Fulfully, Epermin, Pepper Mint, Peppermint, Pfefferminze, Pfefferminzblätter, Piperita, Pudeena, Pum Hub,
Habitat: Europe and Asia
Origin: Bulgaria
Harvested: Wild or cultivated
Parts Used: Leaves

General Information:
Mentha piperita, is an herbaceous rhizomatous perennial plant growing to 30-100 cm m height, with smooth stems, square in cross section which is most commonly grown as a culinary or medicinal herb. Peppermint is a hybrid from water mint, Mentha aquatic and spearmint, Mentha spicate. The rhizomes are wide-spreading, fleshy, and bare fibrous roots Stems square erect or ascending, branched, the upper portion always quadrangular. The leaves are opposite, petiolate, ovate-oblong to oblong-lanceolate, serrate, pointed from 4-10 cm long and 2-4 cm bread, dark green with reddish veins, and with an acute apex and coarsely toothed margins. The leaves and stems are usually slightly furry. The peppermint leaves have a characteristic, sweetish, strong odor and an aromatic, warm, pungent taste, with a cooling aftertaste. The flowers are purple, occur in thick, terminal, 7-10 mm long, with a four-lobed corella about 3 mm diameter, they are produced in whorls around the stem, forming thick, blunt spikes. Each flower shows a tubular calyx with five sharp, hairy teeth, a purplish, irregular, four cleft corollas, short stamens, a four-celled ovary. Being a hybrid, it is usually sterile, producing no seeds. It is the oldest and most popular flavor of min-flavored confectionery and is often used in tea and for flavoring ice cream, potpourris confectionery, chewing gun, and toothpaste. Peppermint can also be found in some shampoos, soaps and skin care products. Peppermint is probably the most important commercial aromatic herb in the world today from the standpoint of the size of the area cultivated for oil distillation.

How to use:

Hot Infusion:
The basic method for dried herbs and flower is, take 2-3 tablespoons of dried herb in a cup or teapot. Pour hot water over it and cover it with lid for 10-30 minutes. Hot water is needed to draw out the antioxidants, enzymes, vitamins, flavonoids, and volatile oils from the botanicals. Strain and squeeze out as much as liquid as possible and enjoy!

Tips:
You can sweeten your herbal tea with a bit of honey, natural fruit juice, stevia leaves powder and or licorice root powder.
You can make ice cubes or pops by freezing tea in ice trays or pop molds.

Precautions: