peppermint

Mentha piperita L.

Мята перечная Мята перечная Мята перечная

Botanical characteristics. The family is labial. A perennial herbaceous plant up to 50-100 cm high. It vegetatively reproduces by means of a horizontal rhizome, from which goose roots leave. The stem is hollow, branchy, tetrahedral. Leaves are elongate, ovate, sharply serrate, short-petiolate. Small light, pinkish-violet flowers form spicate inflorescences on the tips of the stems. Blossoms in June-September. The whole plant has a strong, pleasant, all known "mint" smell.

Spread. Peppermint in the wild does not occur. As a cultural plant widely cultivated in the middle and southern regions of Russia.

Used parts of the plant. Leaves.
The refreshing aroma of mint is caused by essential oil, the main component of which is menthol. In leaves of essential oil, up to 2.75%, in inflorescences - up to 6%, in stems - up to 0.3%. Carotene (up to 40 mg%), acids (ursolic and olean), triterpene compounds, hesperidin, flavonoids and betaine are also isolated from the plant.

Application. One of the universal plants of folk medicine. Has spasmolytic, analgesic, antiseptic, choleretic, carminative and some laxative effect. Mint is used as a stimulating cardiac activity and a soothing headache remedy for hypertension, angina and atherosclerosis. It is recommended for colds of the upper respiratory tract, for bronchial asthma and bronchiectasis.
Mint is good for dyskinetic pain in the stomach and intestines, improves digestion and increases appetite. It is used for gastritis, peptic ulcer, colitis and enterocolitis, with flatulence, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea (despite the laxative effect). It is added to the collection of herbs for cholelithiasis, hepatitis, with cholecystitis.
Mint, along with potato juice and St. John's wort, is considered the best remedy for heartburn caused by high acidity of gastric juice.
Mint with regular ingestion has a general strengthening and wound healing effect, it helps with hysteria, insomnia, migraine, it acts diuretic. Mint leaves improve the taste and smell of medicinal infusions, so it is advisable to add it to all charges.
Outwardly, mint is used for baths and teeth diseases. Mint oil is used for inhalation, it is a part of drops, potions, tablets and pencils.
20 drops of spirituous tincture of mint for half a glass (or whole) of cold water, taken in the morning, after sleep, improve the state of health after excessive intake of alcoholic beverages: the heaviness in the head disappears, an unpleasant sensation in the stomach, etc.

Preparation. 2 tablespoons of herbs are insisted with 2 cups of boiling water (daily dose).
In pharmacies are sold: peppermint oil (contains 50% menthol, used in dental practice, inside by 1-3 drops per glass with flatulence), menthol (with skin itching and myalgia).
Mint is a part of olimethine, enatin, candles "Anestezol", Validol, drops of Zelenin, etc.
Ready-made medicinal preparations - gastric, carminative and cholagogue - contain peppermint leaves.

In homeopathy apply Mentha 3x, 3 with diseases of the respiratory system: tracheitis, bronchitis. Characteristic symptoms: a tickling cough, tickling comes from the jugular fossa and intensifies from cold air. As an antispastic agent is sometimes used in neurocirculatory dystonia and gastrointestinal ailments.