Peppermint has a cooling, sudorific, and anti-spasmodic effect and is used as a relaxing drug for insomnia. It is also taken for digestional problems due to its ability to induce the production of bile and other digestive secretions.
The herb has a calming effect on the intestinal mucous membranes and sphincters - it is used extensively for spasms in connection with constipation and diarrhoea. Peppermint is good for an irritated colon. Its soothing effect on nausea, including pregnancy nausea and vomiting, is well-known. It inhibits bacterial- and fungal infections.
Peppermint is cholagogic and as such induces digestion and is used for gall bladder infection. Its ability to occasionally relieve headache is due to its normalization of the digestion.
Precautions
Do not use herbal medicine if you suspect that your symptoms should be clarified by
a doctor. If your symptoms have not improved within a month you should contact a
phytotherapist or a naturopath.
Contraindications
If you suffer from hiatus hernia or acidity of the stomach, the relaxing effect on the sphincters can cause heartburn. Contact a phytotherapist.
Side effects
No known side effects at recommended dosage but it may disturb the absorption of iron and in some cases irritate the intestinal mucosa.
Dosage
Extract: 3 ml. or one tbsp. daily. Take it with some water. The herbs have a strong flavour - rinse with your favourite drink.
Tea: 1-4 g. of dried herb three times daily.
In case of headache:
Drink up to 5 cups daily
Further fortification
- For constipation: A combination of liquorish root (Glycyrrhiza glabra), cassia leaves (Cassia Ssp.), Mexican yams (Discorea villosa), and yellow dock (Rumex crispus)
- For diarrhoea: A combination of marsh mallow (Althea officinalis), witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana), and plantain (Plantago lanceolata
- For intestinal gas: Lactic acid bacteria.
Further information
www.phytotherapies.org
