Peppermint
Menta piperita
History: Peppermint is the newest species among many different kinds of mint that currently grow throughout the world. Today, it is best known for its use in flavoring candies and its cool, refreshing aromas and taste. However, the healing capabilities of the mint family have been known since ancient times. Greeks, Romans, Egyptians, and American colonist all found ways to use mint to treat various stomach and digestion ailments. In North America, the Cherokee took it for vomiting, colic, and gas.
Uses: common cold, cough, inflammation of the mouth and throat, sinus infections, and respiratory infections, heartburn, nausea, vomiting, morning sickness, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), cramps of the upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract and bile ducts, upset stomach, diarrhea, bacterial overgrowth of the small intestine, and gas.
Active Ingredients: Menthol, isovalerate, menthone, cineol, inactive pinene, limonene
Actions: carminative, antispasmodic, aromatic, diaphoretic, anti-emetic, nervine, analgesic, anti-catarrhal, anti microbial, emmenagogue, rubefacient, stimulant
Complementary Herbs: Yarrow, Boneset, Elder Flower,