Mentha piperita

Bympmarciano

Mentha piperita                                         Common name: Peppermint

Family: Lamiaceae

Part used: Aerial

Constituents: Volatile oil (2%) containing methol, menthone and jasmone, tannins, bitter principle, Phenolic acids (rosmarinic, chlorogenic, caffeic), flavonoids (luteolin, rutin, hesperidin), gum, resins, nutrients (carotenes, choline, vitamin E, minerals)

Actions: Carminative, antispasmodic, aromatic, diaphoretic, anti-emetic, nervine, anti-septic, analgesic, anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory, decongestant, anti-tussive, peripheral vasodilator, choleretic, cholagogue, emmenagogue, anti-pruritic

Mentha_×_piperita_-_Köhler–s_Medizinal-Pflanzen-095

Medical uses: Will inhibit mucous secretion temporarily because of it’s menthol component. It can be used whenever there is excess mucous secreted, helping also with it’s antispasmodic and carminative actions. Is one of the best carminatives available, having a relaxing effect on visceral muscles and relieving intestinal colic and flatulence. The volatile oil acts as a mild anaesthetic to the stomach wall which help with feelings of nausea during travel or pregnancy. Essential oil be used topically for rheumatism, sprains & strains.

Pharmacology: 

  • VO, menthol is anti-tussive, antiseptic, topical anaesthetic and irritant.
  • VO relaxes smooth muscle and acts as an anti-spasmodic and a cooling carminative. Carminative effects act by relaxing esophageal sphincter and allowing air to be released.
  • Extract has analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects.

Pharmacy:  Dried herb: 2-4g, TID. Infusion: 1 tbsp/cup, infuse 5-10 min. Essential oil, steam inhalations, bath, topical rub, massage oil.

Contraindications: Internal used of essential oil.

Toxicity: No adverse effects expected. High dose essential oil can cause burning and irritation.

Interactions: None known.

IMG_1857

Similar Posts

  • Rumex crispus

    Bympmarciano

    Common name:  Yellow dock Family: Polygonaceae Parts used:  Root Constituents:  Anthraquinone glycosides (emodin), tannins, oxalates (oxalic acid high in leaf), VO, Iron and other minerals Medicinal actions:  Tonic, lymphatic, astringent, cooling, alterative, bitter, hepatic, cholagogue, laxative, cathartic Medicinal use:  The anthraquinone glycosides in Rumex lend the plant its mild laxative (aperient) action. Rumex is most indicated in…

  • Vaccinium myrtillus

    Bympmarciano

    Vaccinium myrtillus                              Common name:  Blueberry, Bilberry Family: Ericaceae Part used:  Berry/fruit, leaf Constituents: Flavonoids: anthocyanosides, tannin (7%), polyphenols (catechin, epicatechin), nutrients (Vitamin B1, C, beta carotene), pectin Medical actions:  Anti-inflammatory, astringent, diuretic, antioxidant, anti-microbial, anti-edematous, venous tonic, vaso-protector, anti-platelet, anti-emetic, anti-diarrheal Medical uses: Is indicated in…

  • Foeniculum vulgare

    Bympmarciano

    Foeniculum vulgare                            Common name:  Fennel Family: Umbelliferae Parts used:  Fruit Constituents:  volatile oil (up to 8% consisting of anethole, estrogole, fenchone), flavonoids (rutin, quercetin, kaempferol glycosides), coumarins, sterols. Medicinal actions:  Stomachic, carminative, anti-inflammatory, phytoestrogenic, galactogogue Medicinal uses: The volatile oil relaxes the smooth muscles of the intestines thus relieving griping and flatulence.  Fennel is more relaxing and…

  • Leptandra virginica

    Bympmarciano

    Latin Name: Leptandra virginica        Common name: Black root Family: Scrophulariaceae Parts used: Root Constituents: Volatile oil, tannic acid, gum, resin (leptandrin). Medicinal actions: Alterative, bitter tonic, abortifacient. Medicinal use: Constipation, ongoing issues with liver and gallbladder. Pharmacology: Exerts mild, persistent, gentle hepatic stimulation of bile production without stimulating the contraction of the gall bladder. The…

  • Hypericum perforatum

    Bympmarciano

    Common name:  St. John’s wort Family: Hypericaceae Parts used: Flowering tops Constituents: Volatile oils (pinene & cineole) Flavonoids & proanthocyanidins (hyperoside, hyperiforin, quercetin, rutin) Naphthodianthrones (hypericin, pseudohypericin, isohypericin, protohypericin) Carotenoids Phloroglucins (hyperforin) Tannins Medicinal actions: Anti-depressant Anti-inflammatory Antimicrobial Astringent Nervine tonic Vulnerary    Medicinal uses:   Most useful in mild to moderate depression, seasonal affective disorder, anxiety and various somatoform disorders (neuralgia…

  • Angelica archangelica

    Bympmarciano

    Angelica archangelica                                Common name: European angelica Family: Umbelliferae Parts used:  Root, seeds & leaves Constituents:  Volatile oil (root and seeds), macrocyclic lactones, phthalates, coumarins, flavonoids, sterols. Medicinal actions:  Digestive stimulant, astringent, expectorant, diaphoretic, carminative, diuretic, cholagogue, anti-inflammatory, spasmolytic Medicinal use: Stimulating expectorant and aromatic digestive…