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Stimulant, sudorific, carminative, emmenagogue, aromatic, stomachic, antispasmodic, nervine, sedative, febrifuge, rubefacient (oil). It is one of the great stimulant herbs, and it also acts as a marvelous antispasmodic. Peppermint will also strengthen the nerves and heart muscles, assist in digestion, cleanse and give tone to the entire body. Peppermint is a soothing sedative for nervous and restless people of all ages, promoting relaxation and sleep. The oil is an excellent stomach aid.
A perennial hybrid, with a menthol or distinct peppermint aroma The stems, coming from connected underground roots, are erect, square and branching, tinged with reddish-purple. The opposite, dark green, ovate to lanceolate, serrated leaves are smooth with few hairs. Flowers are pale violet in loose, interrupted terminal spikes. It is mostly cultivated. Found wild in moist cool, damp streams in lower altitudes, except California.
It has many culinary uses. Used as a anodyne, carminative, refrigerant, and fonic. Preparations from the leaves are used for colds, coughs, fevers, nausea, cramps, indigestion, gas, stomachaches, headaches, nervous tension, insomnia, and heartburn. It anesthetizes the nerves in the intestinal tract where catnip and angelica have a low-level drug antispasmodic effect. Steep 2~3 teaspoons of the leaves in 1 cup water. Take 1 1/2-2 cups a day. After 12 days wait a week before resuming. Repels mice and rats.
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