Part Used: Aerial parts.

Constituents: The whole complex of primary plant constituents and acharacteristic array of secondary plant constituents are present.Pharmacologically important constituents include an essential oil containingmenthol, menthone and menthyl acetate as the major components, flavonoids.

Actions: Carminative, anti-inflammatory, anti-spasmodic, aromatic,diaphoretic, anti-emetic, nervine, anti-microbial, analgesic.

Indications: Peppermint is an excellent carminative, having a relaxingeffect on the muscles of the digestive system, combats flatulence andstimulates bile and digestive juice flow. It is used to relieve intestinalcolic, flatulent dyspepsia and associated conditions. The volatileoil acts as a mild anaesthetic to the stomach wall, which allays feelings ofnausea and the desire to vomit. It helps to relieve thenausea & vomiting of pregnancy and travel sickness.Peppermint can play a role in the treatment of ulcerative conditions of thebowels. It is a traditional treatment of fevers, colds andinfluenza. As an inhalant it is used as temporary relief for nasalcatarrh. Where headaches are associated with digestion, Peppermintmay help. As a nervine it eases anxiety and tension. In painfulperiods, it relieves the pain and eases associated tension. Externally it isused to relieve itching and inflammations.

Preparations & Dosage: Infusion: pour a cup of boiling water onto aheaped teaspoonful of the dried herb and leave to infuse for l0 minutes. Thismay be drunk as often as desired. Tincture: l-2ml three times a day.