The useful properties of various plants were proven by our ancestors many centuries ago, when they were used as basic medicines for a variety of diseases. No exception in this regard is peppermint, which has a relaxing and anti-inflammatory effect. Nowadays, this plant is valued for its extraordinary aroma and opportunities (used in cooking, medicine, perfumery and even the alcoholic beverage industry). Mint leaves are just a unique remedy for a variety of ailments.
Peppermint: description
Peppermint dubbed perennial, herbaceous, fragrant plant, which reaches 60-80 cm in height. It has an upright tetrahedral stem sometimes reddish in color, with sparse short hairs. It is covered with a variety of dark green leaves of oblong-ovate form with short petioles and pointed edges. Sometimes the leaves may have a purple hue.
The flowers of peppermint grass are rather small, collected in spike-shaped inflorescences and have a light purple color (like leaves, have healing properties). The corolla of the five-membered type, slightly irregularly shaped (indistinctly double-lipped), pinkish or pale-purple Flowering plant in July and August.
Did you know? No less popular names for peppermint are cold or English mint, as well as pepper and chilliata.Peppermint has a horizontal, branched rhizome with thin, fibrous roots, and its fruits (appear extremely rare) consist of four nuts.
The chemical composition of the medicinal plant
The healing properties of peppermint, which, by the way, has certain contraindications, are directly dependent on its chemical composition. So, The main active components of peppermint are essential oil, tannins, flavonoids and bitterness, but the most important among them is menthol (contains up to 60%). It is he who, when applied to the skin or mucous membranes, irritates the nerve endings and causes a feeling of tingling and cold.
With the excitation of "cold" receptors, the superficial vessels narrow, and the vessels of the internal organs, on the contrary, expand. It is likely that this explains the relief of pain with the same angina (menthol is taken on a piece of sugar for pain in the region of the heart). In addition, this substance can be used as a light local anesthetic.
Did you know? Back in the twentieth century, mint was used as the main raw material in the manufacture of tooth powders, and about 50 years ago, dental drops, made on the basis of mint extract, were quite popular (they were used to relieve toothache). Today, mint is used as one of the main components of toothpastes.
Practically all parts of peppermint have medicinal properties. Leaves, shoots and flowers contain a large amount of not only the mentioned essential oil and tannins, but also biologically active components, sugar, fats, vitamins C and P, carotene, mineral salts, natural steroids and antioxidants. Plant seeds include about 20% of the fatty oil used in cooking and other industries.
The use of peppermint in pharmacology
The positive effect that mint has on the human body has made it possible to create a large number of pharmacological preparations based on it. In particular, the pepper form is used not only in folk or traditional medicine, but also in aromatherapy, in the manufacture of cosmetics or in the food industry.
In pharmacology, drugs for the treatment of headaches, cardiovascular diseases, nervous disorders, insomnia, inflammation of the digestive system, asthma, stomach ulcers and colds are created on the basis of this plant. Also, such agents are effective for vomiting, throat diseases, kidney or liver stones, and atherosclerosis.
The shoots and leaves of the plant can be used both in fresh and in dried form, in any case, characterized by a pleasant cooling spicy taste and a sharp delicate aroma (caused by a high content of menthol).
How to use peppermint in traditional medicine
Having learned about how mint acts on the human body, our grandmothers have even invented many recipes for its most effective use. The acquired knowledge was passed on from generation to generation, thanks to which infusions, decoctions, lotions or just peppermint teas are still actively used in traditional medicine.
What is useful infusion of peppermint
Peppermint infusion is one of the easiest ways to make it. You only need to pour one teaspoon of the leaves of the plant 200 ml of boiling water, then insist 20 minutes. Before use (and you can immediately) filter the liquid and, if desired, add sugar. Take this infusion of one tablespoon every 2-3 hours.
With this tool you can easily get rid of insomnia, stress, headaches and pain in the abdomen, because peppermint soothes and relieves spasms, and also often helps with heartburn.
Of course, peppermint tincture has many medicinal properties, however, do not forget about possible contraindications that are characteristic of any species of this plant (more on that later).
Useful properties of alcohol tinctures
Peppermint tincture can also be prepared with alcohol, from which its healing properties will only increase. Thus, spirit tincture with peppermint extract has been successfully used for inhalation for inflammation of the nose, trachea, throat mucosa, or even for bronchitis. When applied externally, it is an excellent warming agent for rubbing, for headaches, migraines or inflammation of the skin.
Important! For skin diseases, it is more effective to take a decoction or infusion of mint inside, possibly even with an enema..Mint alcohol tincture is created as follows: 20 g of dry leaves pour 100 ml of 75% alcohol, and then insist in a dark place for two weeks. The infusion is consumed in 10-15 drops (can be diluted with water) 3-4 times a day.
The useful decoction of peppermint
There are many options for preparing a decoction of peppermint. For example, given that this plant is well suited to improve physical well-being and can improve mood, the following prescription would be helpful for depression: 1 tbsp. a spoonful of crushed leaves should be poured with one glass of boiling water and boil for 10 minutes. After filtering such a decoction, you need to take half a cup twice a day - in the morning and evening.
There is another way to make a decoction. Take a tablespoon of minced mint and add half a liter of water to it. Then put the composition in a saucepan and simmer on low heat for about 10 minutes. After that, allow the broth to infuse for 10-15 minutes and strain it.
The received means is used inside half a glass three times a day before meals. You can add sugar or honey to the decoction, which will only enhance its taste.
How to use peppermint oil
Even mint oil is prepared on the basis of mint - an effective remedy for abdominal pain, heartburn or bloating. The easiest way is to take it inside with water or drip on a piece of sugar (3-4 drops will be enough). In addition, it is often used outside - in the treatment of acne, inflammatory skin diseases and to soothe a headache (can be applied to the temporal area during migraine).
The benefits of drinking peppermint tea
In most cases, when using peppermint as a tea, special attention is paid only to its leaves, although they also have certain contraindications. I must say that mint tea is quite fragrant and gentle drink, giving the inner coolness. It is very refreshing, gives the body strength and improves the digestive processes. At the same time, this tea has a great effect on mental health, relieving nervous tension and helping to relax, while forgetting about problems.
Mint tea has long established itself as an excellent anti-cold remedy, and therefore has become one of the most popular drinks in modern families. The recipe for making mint tea is simple: one tablespoon (with a hill) of dried leaves and inflorescences of mint is poured with a glass of boiling water and infused for 10-15 minutes, after which the tea is completely ready for use. Based on personal preferences, you can add sugar or honey to the drink.
The benefits of mint tea are noticeable almost immediately: it helps to raise the tone and improves overall health. Nevertheless, we should not forget that mint is a medicinal plant, which means that it should not be abused.
For a sick child, peppermint tea is prepared a little differently, reducing the concentration of mint infusion by adding more water. That is, for a baby mint drink, you will need a spoonful of dry grass and half a liter of liquid, or just their smaller proportions. After straining, you can give the tea to the child, but, as practice shows, it is better to pre-add honey or sugar to it (this will make the tea tastier and healthier).
Important! If the drink turned out to be highly concentrated, they can rinse your nose with a cold or rinse your mouth to get rid of an unpleasant smell.Mint tea is an excellent tool to reduce the acidity of the stomach, to combat colitis, pain during menstruation or menopause. In any of these cases, you only need to fill in fresh peppermint leaves (4-5 leaflets) with a glass of boiling water, after having torn or cut the mint into small pieces. Tea insist 5-7 minutes, after which you can safely enjoy a delicious and healthy drink.
If desired, you can add other plants to mint tea. They will only enhance the properties of the drink, will serve as a good prevention of colds and contribute to improving immunity.
Medicinal properties of mint baths
It is possible to use peppermint in a not quite traditional way, making fragrant baths of it. To do this, you must prepare the broth in the following proportions: 50 g of mint pour 8 liters of water and boil for 15 minutes, after which the broth is drawn for another 30 minutes. This recipe will help in the fight against scrofula, pain in the joints or with rickets, although you can take mint baths and for cosmetic purposes (50 g of mint is brewed in 10 liters of water). In addition, the infusion in this concentration is often used for enemas.
For dermatoses, which are accompanied by severe itching, a decoction of the highlander bird is added to the bath along with peppermint.
Who is the use of peppermint is contraindicated
Discussing the beneficial properties of peppermint, it is impossible not to note the existing contraindications to the use of this medicinal herb. First of all, peppermint is contraindicated for people who suffer from low blood pressure. This does not mean that you have to completely abandon this drink, you just need to take it with caution.
Mint is contraindicated in pregnant women and nursing mothers, although it copes with the manifestations of toxicosis. It is possible that after consulting a doctor, you can still sometimes enjoy fragrant mint tea.
Another group, which is contraindicated peppermint, are allergies with individual intolerance to this plant. In some cases, you can avoid negative consequences only by completely abandoning the use of this plant (in any species).
The described plant is also contraindicated for infants, since menthol contained in mint can cause depression or even complete cessation of the child's breathing.
In any case, when preparing tinctures and decoctions of peppermint, it is necessary to observe the dosage even for people who do not fall into the above categories, since its excess can cause drowsiness. Consultation of the attending physician, who, after appropriate examinations, will help you to better understand the dosage of peppermint infusions or decoctions, will not be superfluous.
