Student Monograph ~ <\/h3>\nThis Materia Medica assignment was written by\u00a0<\/em>Meagan Rousseau <\/em><\/strong>for the Home Herbalist Series.<\/em><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/wintergreenbotanicals.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/PEPPERMINTCSV-1024x768.jpeg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nPeppermint<\/strong><\/h2>\nLatin Name<\/em><\/strong>: Mentha <\/em>x piperita<\/em> (1)<\/p>\nPart(s) Used<\/em><\/strong>: leaves (1) crude as well as in a concentrated, potent essential oil (1)<\/p>\nKey Actions<\/em><\/strong>: antispasmodic (1), antimicrobial (2), analgesic (2), carminative (2), aromatic (4), stimulating nervine (4), nootropic (1), stimulating diaphoretic (4), decongestant (1)<\/p>\nMedicinal Uses<\/em><\/strong>:<\/p>\nCarminative & Antispasmodic –<\/p>\n
The leaves are rich in menthol which act as a potent antispasmodic and can help with gas, indigestion, pain and IBS (when using the oil, tea is much milder) (1, 3)<\/p>\n
The oil (diluted with olive oil) can also offer help with pain, gas and IBS when applied topically on the stomach (1, 3) and can also relieve intestinal spasms (3)<\/p>\n
Carminative – It is great for the digestive system as whole, as it increases the flow of digestive juices and bile and relaxes the gut muscles (2)<\/p>\n
Decongestant – It can clear the sinuses, relieve coughs, headaches and aid with nausea, particularly morning sickness (1)<\/p>\n
Analgesic & Antispasmodic – When applied topically it can act as an analgesic and reduce pain in headaches, decreases tension and relaxes muscles (3)<\/p>\n
Decongestant – When used as an herbal steam, it can help break up congestion in the lungs (4)<\/p>\n
Carminative – Can be helpful in tea form as a therapy for colic in infants (3)<\/p>\n
When added to toothpaste, it can be helpful (in addition to other herbs) when addressing gingivitis (3)<\/p>\n
Mildly Antimicrobial – The volatile oils have been shown to have antifungal action (3)<\/p>\n
Cooling & Analgesic – The oil is cooling and can help to relieve burning pain and itch from inflammation, from poison oak\/ivy, sunburns and hives (3, 4)<\/p>\n
Antispasmodic and Analgesic – May be helpful with menstrual cramps or sore backs (4)<\/p>\n
Nootropic & Stimulating – Promotes alertness and temporary energy (4)<\/p>\n
Diaphoretic – Helps address fevers that result from the flu by opening the pores of the body and allowing the heat to escape (4)<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Other Uses<\/em><\/strong>:<\/p>\nNutritive – Peppermint offers valuable nutrients such as calcium, magnesium and potassium (4)<\/p>\n
It is helpful for refreshing your breath,\u00a0 flavoring many toothpastes, mouthwashes, and breath mints (4)<\/p>\n
Peppermint tea may be helpful with the hiccups (4)<\/p>\n
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Cautions<\/em><\/strong>:<\/p>\nPeppermint can often aggravate reflux (1)<\/p>\n
The essential oil should always be diluted for topical use and should only be used internally if specially prepared. The crude herb is safer internally and often potent enough. (1)<\/p>\n
People with gallstones should consult a doctor before using the leaf or oil (3)<\/p>\n
The essential oil should not be applied to the face (3)<\/p>\n
Caution should be used with infants and children as they could choke as a reaction to the strong menthol (3)<\/p>\n
The essential oil can cause burning and gastrointestinal upset in certain people (3)<\/p>\n
When taken in excess, it could potentially dry up breast milk. (4)<\/p>\n
While culinary amounts of the crude herb are likely safe, use caution and seek guidance before using therapeutic doses or the essential oil during pregnancy. (1)<\/p>\n
Click here for more on essential oil potency and safety.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\nSources<\/em><\/strong>:<\/em><\/p>\n\n- 1. Groves, Maria, Body into Balance<\/em>, 2016.<\/li>\n
- 2. Chevallier, Andrew, Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine<\/em>, 2016<\/li>\n
- 3. Aisle 7\/HealthNotes, web, http:\/\/publix.aisle7.net\/publix\/us\/assets\/landing-page\/publix-healthy-living\/~default, http:\/\/publix.aisle7.net\/publix\/us\/assets\/nutritional-supplement\/peppermint\/~default<\/a><\/li>\n
- 4. Rosalee De La Foret. Herbs with Rosalee, Web, herbalremediesadvice.org https:\/\/www.herbalremediesadvice.org\/peppermint-health-benefits.html<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Latin Name<\/em><\/strong>: Mentha <\/em>x piperita<\/em> (1)<\/p>\n Part(s) Used<\/em><\/strong>: leaves (1) crude as well as in a concentrated, potent essential oil (1)<\/p>\n Key Actions<\/em><\/strong>: antispasmodic (1), antimicrobial (2), analgesic (2), carminative (2), aromatic (4), stimulating nervine (4), nootropic (1), stimulating diaphoretic (4), decongestant (1)<\/p>\n Medicinal Uses<\/em><\/strong>:<\/p>\n Carminative & Antispasmodic –<\/p>\n The leaves are rich in menthol which act as a potent antispasmodic and can help with gas, indigestion, pain and IBS (when using the oil, tea is much milder) (1, 3)<\/p>\n The oil (diluted with olive oil) can also offer help with pain, gas and IBS when applied topically on the stomach (1, 3) and can also relieve intestinal spasms (3)<\/p>\n Carminative – It is great for the digestive system as whole, as it increases the flow of digestive juices and bile and relaxes the gut muscles (2)<\/p>\n Decongestant – It can clear the sinuses, relieve coughs, headaches and aid with nausea, particularly morning sickness (1)<\/p>\n Analgesic & Antispasmodic – When applied topically it can act as an analgesic and reduce pain in headaches, decreases tension and relaxes muscles (3)<\/p>\n Decongestant – When used as an herbal steam, it can help break up congestion in the lungs (4)<\/p>\n Carminative – Can be helpful in tea form as a therapy for colic in infants (3)<\/p>\n When added to toothpaste, it can be helpful (in addition to other herbs) when addressing gingivitis (3)<\/p>\n Mildly Antimicrobial – The volatile oils have been shown to have antifungal action (3)<\/p>\n Cooling & Analgesic – The oil is cooling and can help to relieve burning pain and itch from inflammation, from poison oak\/ivy, sunburns and hives (3, 4)<\/p>\n Antispasmodic and Analgesic – May be helpful with menstrual cramps or sore backs (4)<\/p>\n Nootropic & Stimulating – Promotes alertness and temporary energy (4)<\/p>\n Diaphoretic – Helps address fevers that result from the flu by opening the pores of the body and allowing the heat to escape (4)<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Other Uses<\/em><\/strong>:<\/p>\n Nutritive – Peppermint offers valuable nutrients such as calcium, magnesium and potassium (4)<\/p>\n It is helpful for refreshing your breath,\u00a0 flavoring many toothpastes, mouthwashes, and breath mints (4)<\/p>\n Peppermint tea may be helpful with the hiccups (4)<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Cautions<\/em><\/strong>:<\/p>\n Peppermint can often aggravate reflux (1)<\/p>\n The essential oil should always be diluted for topical use and should only be used internally if specially prepared. The crude herb is safer internally and often potent enough. (1)<\/p>\n People with gallstones should consult a doctor before using the leaf or oil (3)<\/p>\n The essential oil should not be applied to the face (3)<\/p>\n Caution should be used with infants and children as they could choke as a reaction to the strong menthol (3)<\/p>\n The essential oil can cause burning and gastrointestinal upset in certain people (3)<\/p>\n When taken in excess, it could potentially dry up breast milk. (4)<\/p>\n While culinary amounts of the crude herb are likely safe, use caution and seek guidance before using therapeutic doses or the essential oil during pregnancy. (1)<\/p>\n Click here for more on essential oil potency and safety.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Sources<\/em><\/strong>:<\/em><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/wintergreenbotanicals.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/PEPPERMINTCSV.jpeg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nPeppermint<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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