Medicinal herbs are used in traditional and homeopathic medicine. Nowadays, herbal medicine and aromatherapy are very popular. Also, herbs are a means of prevention, maintaining health and excellent recovery therapy. There are a huge number of medicinal plants, but most often we do not know why they are needed and how to use them.
Mint
Tea with mint and lemon is a favorite drink of many Russians. Mint grows in gardens, in gardens, and sometimes even just like a weed. It can be bought at a regular store and in every pharmacy. But what do we know about her? A huge number of plants of the "mint" genus (over forty species). All of them contain menthol, although they differ greatly in the chemical composition of essential oils, and, accordingly, in smell and useful properties.
Consider one of the most popular types of mint - peppermint. This is a bred cultural plant, which is now growing everywhere in Russia.
Peppermint is widely used in cooking, and in pharmaceuticals, and in cosmetology. The most convenient and useful way to use it is tincture of peppermint. Instructions for use will directly depend on the type of tincture.
The healing properties of peppermint
- If you have flatulence. Before you go to the doctor, undergo complex and unpleasant examinations, it is worth trying the courses to take a medicine such as peppermint tincture. How to use? Drink a couple of tablespoons of a regular decoction (without alcohol) during or after a meal.
- If small wounds appear on the skin, acne. The usual tincture of peppermint will come to the rescue - instructions for use are not needed here. We apply the product on a cotton pad and lubricate the damaged area two to three times a day.
- If cholecystitis, stagnation of bile, digestive problems, gastritis are concerned. Peppermint will help to relieve unpleasant symptoms and improve the functioning of internal organs.
- If your head hurts, you can try mint tea.
- With nausea, including pregnancy toxicosis, the smell of peppermint essential oil helps . But it is worth remembering that much can be taken, but not peppermint tincture. Instructions for use of contraindications clearly indicate, among them, pregnancy. Ladies in an interesting position can use only essential oils in the aroma lamp or mint drops.
- If the stomach hurts, peppermint tea will help reduce pain, relieve cramps and cramps.
- With angina pectoris, peppermint tea will help . A spoonful of dry mint is poured with boiling water and allowed to infuse for 10-15 minutes.
Infusion recipe
Usually, peppermint water (tea) or a medicine such as peppermint tincture is used for medicinal purposes. Instructions for use, photos of the cooking process - more on this later.
Mint is always harvested in dry weather, while about half of the flowers on the plant should already bloom. In our country, mint is harvested only two summer months - June and July. Then the branches with leaves and flowers are dried in special electric dryers or in the shade, hanging them in small bunches. Then, all leaves and flowers are removed from the dried stems, ground into powder and stored in glass or metal cans in a dark, cool and necessarily dry place. You can also store mint directly on the branches in bags made of natural cotton fabric or in paper.
Then, throughout the year, peppermint tincture is made, the instructions for use of which should be in every home. Alcohol tincture is usually done on purified medical alcohol or on good vodka. The concentration of alcohol in each case will be different. You can pour dried mint with pure alcohol and add only a few drops a day to tea or, on the contrary, dilute alcohol with water and drink with spoons, for example, before bedtime. This will be an alcoholic tincture of peppermint, instructions for use in this case should be issued by the attending physician. After preparing the infusion, it is stored in a warm, dark place, the liquid is filtered and stored in the refrigerator.
Mint teas are very popular home remedies. In moderate amounts, such a drink can not do harm, and a rich taste and aroma will certainly have a positive effect on overall well-being. Peppermint is also often added to ready-made herbal preparations for many ailments.
Where can I get it?
Of course, it is not so difficult to grow yourself, make raw materials and make such a medicine with your own hands. But in all pharmacies for a very affordable price you can buy shredded dry leaves, ready-made infusions for any occasion, and even packaged bags with mint tea.
Peppermint tincture. Instructions for use externally
- With migraine, alcohol tincture of mint is rubbed into whiskey, and pepper oil is also used as aromatherapy.
- With neuralgia, an infusion of alcohol is rubbed into a sore spot and at a distance of 5-10 centimeters from it.
- To improve complexion and to prevent wrinkles, many cosmetologists recommend washing every morning with mint water without alcohol.
- To treat scalp disease, get rid of dandruff and strengthen hair roots after washing with regular shampoo, it is recommended to rinse your head with an alcohol-free infusion of mint water, and then gently rub it into the hair roots and dry your head.
- With problem skin prone to the formation of acne and black spots, you can treat problem areas once or twice a day with a weak alcohol infusion. Do not get too carried away with the use of alcohol lotions, since excessive and frequent drying of the skin with alcohol can accelerate the aging process.
Peppermint with ARVI
For colds, sore throat, cough and runny nose, a general practitioner may advise using the infusion in different ways:
- Gargling. Mint leaves are brewed with boiling water according to the instructions, cool and gargle 3-5 times a day.
- Flushing the nose. With a weak warm water infusion, the nostrils are washed in turn according to the yoga system.
- Inhalation. The infusion is brewed in a saucepan with water, allowed to infuse, then heated again, and covered with a towel, inhale the useful fumes of ethers.
Contraindications
Do not use alcohol infusions if:
- You are in an interesting position.
- Breastfeeding.
- You have low blood pressure - hypotension.
- You have varicose veins.
- You cannot conceive a child for more than one year.
You should also not give alcohol infusion to children under three years of age.
Excessive use of mint in men can cause problems with libido and erection.
Peppermint tincture is dangerous for drivers, instructions for use, reviews - all this recalls the alcohol content. So for lovers of driving a personal car, such a medicine in the morning is definitely not suitable.
Mint in cooking
Of course, such a fragrant plant could not find its application in the food industry. And in addition to numerous peppermint chewing gums, candies, soft drinks and spirits with its addition, we can see recipes with mint for ordinary housewives.
Dried chopped mint goes very well with vegetables (especially tomatoes, zucchini, cabbage, carrots) and legumes. All over the world it is added to various sauces, homemade soft drinks, compotes, fruit drinks, syrups and jelly. And of course, the most delicious combination can be considered mint and flour. Almost any pastry (whether it is buns, pies, cakes or cookies) peppermint can give a special, sophisticated sound.
Most importantly, you should not forget that you need to add mint very little (no more than five milligrams per serving). Also, the rule that is usual for all spices is applicable here: we put the spice in the dish 5-10 minutes before full readiness.