Peppermint is a herb that grows around the world, and everywhere it is appreciated for its healing properties. Hot tea is usually brewed from its leaves. In Europe, the plant is often used in herbal mixtures, which are designed to alleviate the symptoms of various diseases associated with the stomach, intestines and liver.
Characteristic
Peppermint - a plant from the family Lamiaceae. This is a hybrid that was obtained by English breeders from water and garden mint.
The grass reaches up to 90 cm in height, has horizontal rhizomes in the ground (white) and surface (green). Other features include:
- Stem. Straight, purple or violet in cross-section similar to a hollow quadrangle.
- Leaves. 3-9 cm long and 1-3 cm wide. They are green in color, opposite, ovoid elliptical in shape, with sharply serrated edges. Their lower surface is softly pubescent, and the upper is smooth.
- Flowers Numerous inflorescences are collected in the axils of the leaves. The flowers are small, 5-6 mm long, pink, red or light purple.
Mint is most often propagated vegetatively.
The medicinal raw materials of the plant are leaves and stems. The leaves are collected, dried, used to make infusions, and also from them receive essential oil.
Composition
The therapeutic properties and contraindications of peppermint are due to its chemical composition. It contains menthol, arginine, glucose, phytosterol, ramnose, etc.
In the composition of the grass you can also find:
- organic acids;
- flavonoids (luteolin, rutin, hesperidin);
- tannins;
- provitamins A and C, as well as mineral salts (potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, iron, manganese, copper and molybdenum).
Healing action
The healing properties of peppermint have been used by herbalists since ancient times. The plant has a healing effect on:
- Gastrointestinal tract. An infusion of grass helps with ailments of the digestive system, has an antispasmodic effect. Helps in the work of the liver, biliary tract and pancreas. The plant prevents the formation of gallstones. Studies have confirmed the effectiveness of this herb in the treatment of many intestinal diseases. Drinking peppermint tea before the trip relieves nausea while traveling.
- Excretory system. The plant has a therapeutic effect in case of urinary tract infection.
- Respiratory system. Herb oil is used as inhalation for inflammation of the upper respiratory tract. The infusion from the plant warms the body, improves blood circulation and causes sweating, so it is often prescribed for fever, colds or flu. Gargling with water with the addition of peppermint essential oil brings relief in case of sore throat, and also freshens the breath.
- Nervous system. An infusion of herbs helps with headaches and insomnia. Tea from the plant has a relaxing effect, relieves anxiety, nervousness, tension and pain.
- Skin. Outwardly, the plant is used to relieve dermatological irritations. Essential oil from this herb is used to treat herpes or fungal infections caused by dermatophytes.
Plant essential oil has invigorating, refreshing, antiseptic and analgesic properties. It is widely used in aromatherapy.
Side effects
The main contraindications for peppermint include:
- allergy to the plant;
- children under 3 years old;
- chronic gastritis;
- reflux esophagitis.
Essential oil from this plant, applied undiluted on the skin, can cause irritation. Excessive use of grass leads to sleep disturbance and insomnia.
Mint and pregnancy
The grass helps from many ailments and during pregnancy. Like all medicinal plants, it can be taken in reasonable quantities and according to the instructions. Peppermint should be introduced into the diet of a pregnant woman only after consulting with your doctor.
A great advantage of using the plant during pregnancy is the alleviation of nausea in the morning. This is the most unpleasant symptom that a woman should fight without the help of drugs.
Mint during pregnancy is recommended in order to strengthen the body and protect against colds. Herbal tea has a calming effect, effectively improves mood and relaxes.
The use of peppermint in cooking
Fragrant leaves of the plant are perfect for sauces, desserts, drinks. A sprig of fresh grass is added to the water, in which peas, carrots or young potatoes are cooked to give them a better taste. Peppermint leaves are ideal for dishes of poultry, fish or other types of meat.
Mint tea is very popular in many countries of the world, it is served as a refreshing drink. The plant is also a major component of alcoholic beverages, such as gin and bourbon based cocktails.
In the confectionery industry, plant essential oil is used to produce refreshing sweets, mint gingerbread, or candy.
Recipes
- Infusion for indigestion.
A tablespoon of dried peppermint leaves should be poured with a glass of boiling water and left under the lid for 10-15 minutes. Drink after each meal. Infusion helps with flatulence, poor digestion, belching. It has a calming effect on the nervous system, therefore it is useful for relieving stress.
Pour 100 g of dried leaves of grass with 0.5 l of alcohol (70%) and leave to infuse for 7 days. The drug is taken 10-20 drops 3 times a day for stomach pain.
A handful of dried leaves or a few drops of plant essential oil should be added to a bowl of hot water. Then you need to tilt your head over it and inhale the hot steam, covered with a towel.
It is necessary to dilute the peppermint essential oil in the vegetable in a ratio of 1:20 and apply to the affected area. To enhance the therapeutic effect, you can add a little eucalyptus essential oil.
- For pain in the head and muscles.
40 g (1.5 cups) of well-dried mint leaves should be mixed with 500 ml of olive oil. The product must be kept for about a month in a glass bowl in a dark place, often shaking. After this time it needs to be filtered. Oil is used in the form of compresses, it is rubbed into a sore spot in case of muscle pain and cramps, with intestinal cramps or headaches. Such a prepared solution can be stored for one year in a dark place.
Natural cosmetic
Plant essential oil has found application in cosmetology and perfumery. It is part of eau de toilette, colognes or scented candles. When using peppermint essential oil in daily care, the skin is lightened, its proper nutrition is controlled. It should be borne in mind that the use of pure essential oil can cause skin irritation, so it is better to dilute it with water, jojoba oil, sweet almond, avocado or olive.
A tablespoon of dried mint should pour 180 ml of boiling water. Leave on for 30 minutes under the lid. Then strain, add a tablespoon of aloe juice, 5 drops of tea tree oil and 3 drops of mint. All ingredients must be mixed thoroughly. The liquid should be stored in a dark glass dish in a cool place. The duration of the drug is 1 week. Apply to rinse the mouth, do not swallow.
In a bowl, mix 1 tablespoon of coarse oatmeal, cornmeal, sugar and 2 tablespoons of dried mint. Add natural yogurt (1 tbsp.), Juice from 1 lemon and 5 drops of peppermint oil to the mixture. To mix everything. The scrub should be rubbed into the legs, especially in the heel area. Rinse thoroughly and apply a moisturizer.
- To improve the condition of the hair.
Adding a few drops of peppermint oil to the shampoo will help get rid of dandruff, give the hair shine and prevent excessive drying of the hair. Rubbing a few drops of essential oil (not more than 10) directly into the scalp will accelerate hair growth.
Adding peppermint oil to the balm allows you to effectively fight cellulite, as well as swelling caused by excessive water retention in the body.
Homework
Peppermint essential oil is sold in pharmacies and health food stores. At home, it can also be cooked. It can be successfully used for medicinal purposes or for skin and hair care. The following ingredients will be needed to make homemade peppermint oil:
- about a pound of fresh mint;
- 200 ml of vegetable oil with a neutral smell, such as sunflower.
Fresh grass must be thoroughly washed under running water and dried. Leaves and stems well knead in a mortar. Pour vegetable oil into a pan, slightly warm. Add mint to it along with the juice that formed during the grinding of the grass. Boil everything on the smallest fire for 30 minutes, and then leave to cool completely. The oil should be filtered, bottled in dark glass, and then placed in a dry and cool place for at least 10 days.
This tool facilitates breathing, has an expectorant, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effect. Accelerates recovery during colds. Peppermint oil is often a component of oral lozenges because it relieves sore throats.
As an insect repellent
Useful properties of peppermint are used to repel insects:
- To get rid of ants and cockroaches, you should wipe the inside of the cabinet with a damp cloth moistened with a few drops of peppermint oil.
- Grass effectively repels mosquitoes. To do this, just mix the lavender, eucalyptus and peppermint oil in a ratio of 1: 1: 1, add a little moisturizer, then wipe the skin with the resulting composition.
- The plant will scare off fleas from pets. To do this, scatter a handful of dried leaves of grass in the places where the pet is often found.
Having studied the medicinal properties and contraindications of peppermint, now you can apply the grass, harvested independently, or purchased in a pharmacy.