PEPPERMINT

COMMON NAME: PEPPERMINT

LATIN NAME:Mentha piperitia FAMILY: Labiatae

HISTORY: Many varieties were used as culinary herbs until the first recorded medicinal use in 1696 by John Ray who called it “mentha palustris”but a quote by Wilafried of Strabo in the 12th century “if any man can name...all the properties of mint, he must know how many fish swim in the Indian ocean” would lead us to believe that it has been used medicinally for a very long time. In a 1721 London pharmacopoeia, mint is listed as a digestive aid and flavouring agent and in the british medical journal “Lancet” 1879 it is mentioned for the relief of headaches and neuralgia. Peppermint is a hybrid between spearmint (Mentha spicata) and watermint (Mentha viridis or M. aquatica). there are about 30 true species of mint but it has be extensively hybridized.

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION: Vigorous creeping often purple tinged perennial with smooth, lanceolate, toothed leaves up to 8 cm long. Lilac-pink sterile flowers are borne on terminal spikes in summer.

TYPE: PERENNIAL HEIGHT: 30-90 CM SPREAD: INDEFINITE HARDINESS ZONES: 4-9

HABITAT: Cultivated widely in Europe, North America and Australia. Prefers moist fertile soil in partial shade, can become invasive.

PROPAGATION: By division in spring or autumn or by cuttings during the growing season....often will root in water.

PARTS USED:aerial parts, distilled oil

HARVEST: Harvest whole plants before flowers open and can be used fresh or dried in concentrated waters, liquid extracts, infusions, powders, spirits, or distilled for oil

CONSTITUENTS:essential oils-menthol,menthone,menthyl acetate

bitter principles

flavonoids

tannins

rosmarinic acid

tocophenols

choline

PROPERTIES: carminative,anthelminthic,choleretic,spasmolytic,diaphoretic, nervine tonic, decongestant, pain reduction

INDICATIONS: intestinal colic and indigestion

flatulent dyspepsia

nausea and vomiting of pregnancy or travel sickness

ulcerative colitis, crohns disease (especially as enteric coated capsules) fevers, in colds and “flu”

nasal and sinus congestion (add 2-3 drops of e.o. to warm water and inhale vapour.

migraine headaches (especially from digestive sources)

eases hysteria, anxiety, tension

uterine colic, dysmenorrhea

for itching and inflammation (topical)

42

DOSAGE: INFUSION- 1-2 tsp. dried herb per cup water as desired

TINCTURE- 1-2 ml T.I.D.

ESSENTIAL OIL- 2-3 drops in 10ml water for topical use

COMBINATIONS: for colds and flu- boneset(Eupatorium perfoliatum), yarrow Achillea millefolium), elderflower (Sambucus nigra)

CONTRAINDICATIONS/WARNINGS: DO NOT GIVE TO INFANTS IN ANY FORM, DO NOT GIVE TO CHILDREN UNDER 10 FOR MORE THAN 1 WEEK- may cause irritation.

avoid prolonged use of oil as an inhalant. Peppermint oil as a topical application should not be used with heat. It may burn or cause local hypersensitivity. It may reduce milk flow if taken

internally, some say to avoid the use of the oil internally during pregnancy.

KETTLEBY HERB FARMS@1997 970731PE

43