Peppermint is also known by the names Mint, Balm Mint, Curled Mint, Lamb Mint, and Brandy Mint. The plant is found throughout Europe, in moist areas, along stream banks and in waste lands. Mint is one of the most ancient of all medicinal herbs. Ancie...
* Please Note: This information is based partly on Traditional Medicine which uses natural materials to support health. This information has not been evaluated or approved by the FDA. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). These products are intended to support general well being and are not intended to treat, diagnose, mitigate, prevent, or cure any condition or disease. If conditions persist, please seek advice from your medical doctor.
Description
Peppermint is also known by the names Mint, Balm Mint, Curled Mint, Lamb Mint, and Brandy Mint. The plant is found throughout Europe, in moist areas, along stream banks and in waste lands. Mint is one of the most ancient of all medicinal herbs. Ancient Athenians would rub the leaves of mint on their arms to improve their endurance. The Greeks and Romans crowned themselves with Peppermint at their feasts, and adorned their tables with its sprays. They also flavored both their sauces and their wines with its essence. Two species of mint were used medicinally by the ancient Greek physicians, but some writers doubt whether either was the modern Peppermint, though there is evidence that Mentha piperita was cultivated by the Egyptians. It is mentioned in the Icelandic Pharmacopoeias of the thirteenth century, but only came into general use in the medicine of Western Europe about the middle of the eighteenth century. Today, the United States is the most important producers of Peppermint and Peppermint oil. The primary chemical constituents of Peppermint include essential oils (menthol, menthone, methyl acetate, limonene, pulegone), tannins, flavonoids, choline, and potassium. Peppermint leaves contain about 0.5-4% volatile oil that is composed of 50-78% free menthol and 5-20% menthol combined with other constituents.
Peppermint is an excellent carminative, having a relaxing effect on the muscles of the digestive system, combats flatulence, and stimulates bile and digestive juice flow. It is used to relieve intestinal colic, flatulent dyspepsia and associated conditions. The volatile oil in Peppermint acts as a mild anesthetic to the stomach wall, which allays feelings of nausea and the desire to vomit. This herb has long been known to relieve nausea and vomiting of pregnancy, and travel sickness. Peppermint is also used in the treatment of ulcerative conditions of the bowels. It is a traditional treatment of fevers, colds and influenza. As an inhalant, this herb is used as temporary relief for nasal catarrh. Where headaches are associated with digestion, Peppermint may help. As a nervine, it eases anxiety and tension. In painful menstrual periods, it relieves the pain and eases associated tension. Externally, it is used to relieve itching, inflammations, and a variety of respiratory conditions. Peppermint oil is also a great expectorant.
Most people are acquainted with this elegant vegetable and its green stalks and tender sweet tips. However, it is the underground roots and rhizomes that are dried and used medicinally. Research supports the use of asparagus root primarily for conditions of the urinary tract and kidneys, largely on the basis of animal studies that indicate it functions as a mild diuretic. This means it draws fluid out of the body by increasing urination. Because of this action, asparagus root may be beneficial in several conditions associated with the kidneys and urinary tract.
Turmeric Root is also known by the name Curcuma. The plant is native to Southern Asia. The genus name Curcuma is from an Arabic word "kurkum," meaning "saffron," in reference to the color of Turmeric. The actual word Turmeric is from the Medieval Latin "terra merita," meaning "deserving earth."
In India, women with lovely, velvety skin often attribute it to consuming Turmeric. The parts of this plant used medicinally are the rhizome and the root. Turmeric is a close relative to Ginger Root, and is used as a dye and a cooking spice in India and other Asian countries. It has been used in traditional medicine for the treatment of jaundice and other liver ailments, ulcers, parasitic infections, various skin diseases, sprains, strains, bruises, inflammation of the joints, cold and flu symptoms, preserving food, and promoting digestion.
Native peoples of the Pacific sprinkled the dust on their shoulders during ceremonial dances, and used it for numerous medical problems ranging from constipation to skin diseases. The inhalation of smoke from burning Turmeric is said to relieve "hysterical fits." The properties of this herb are cholagogue, hepatic, stomachic, carminative, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial. The primary chemical constituents of Turmeric Root include curcumin (yellow pigment) essential oil (artumerone, zingberene, borneol), valepotriates, alkaloids, and protein.
Modern interest in Turmeric began in 1971 when Indian researchers found evidence suggesting that the herb may possess anti-inflammatory properties. Curcumin was later found to possess antioxidant properties. Evidence also suggests that Turmeric is an herb that stimulates the gallbladder. Turmeric helps to stabilize the body's microflora, thus inhibiting yeast overgrowth. It also sensitizes the body's cortisol receptor sites, and its anti-inflammatory properties are considered at least equal to those of cortisones. Turmeric prevents blood platelet aggregation that can lead to dangerous blood clots. Turmeric Root also helps to protect the liver, and is excellent for those exposed to toxic chemicals. Turmeric is also anti-mutagenic, and helps protect the body from mutagens such as smoke and other pollutants.
Studies on Turmeric have verified that the herb possesses cholagogue-type substances which increase the secretions of bile. It has also been suggested that Turmeric lowers blood cholesterol and helps with weight loss. Recent investigations suggest that curcuminoids may be active in the external treatment of certain cancerous conditions, this is presumably connected with the cytotoxicity of these substances, which has been demonstrated on cell cultures, including tumor cells. Past topical applications of this herb include its use as a poultice for athlete's foot, bruises, psoriasis, swellings, and wounds.
Horehound is also known by the names Hoarhound and Marrubium. Horehound is a perennial plant with small white flowers found growing in the wild throughout Europe and Asia. The genus name Marrubium is thought to be derived from "marrob," the Hebrew word for "bitter juice." It is believed that Horehound was one of the original bitter herbs of the Jewish Passover tradition. The common name, Horehound, is from the old English "har hune," meaning "downy plant." The part of this plant used medicinally is the above ground portion.
Horehound was reportedly first used by the physician Galen in ancient Rome, who recommended it as a therapy for coughs and other respiratory ailments. Like Galen, Nicholas Culpepper, the 17th-century English pharmacist, commented that it was helpful for a cough, and was also useful in helping remove stubborn phlegm from the lung. Similarly, American Eclectic physicians of the 19th century remarked on its value as a medicinal plant not only for coughs and asthma, but also in menstrual complaints. Horehound was used by Navaho Indians to help a woman through childbirth. Horehound is an anti-spasmodic, a stimulant and a. vermifuge.
The primary chemical constituents of Horehound include essential oil (pinene, limonene, camphene), diterpene alcohols (marrubinol, marruciol, silareol), sterols, saponins, bitter lactone, alkaloids (betonicine, stachydine), tannin, mucilage, bitter principle (marrubin), and vitamin C. It has a relaxing effect on heart tissue and is used by some herbalists as a circulatory tonic to help lower blood pressure. It also acts on the hormonal system and will normalize heavy or scanty menstruation. Horehound is valuable in the treatment of bronchitis where there is a non-productive cough. It combines the action of relaxing the smooth muscles of the bronchus while promoting mucus production, and thus expectoration. This herb has been used in the treatment of whooping cough. The bitter action stimulates the flow and secretion of bile from the gall-bladder, thereby aiding digestion. Horehound has also been used externally to promote the healing of wounds, eczema, shingles and dog bites. The essential oils in Horehound help dilate the arteries and relieve lung congestion. The extreme bitterness helps drive away worms. Horehound increases circulation to the lungs, expels mucus, and cools infection.
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Directions
Hot tea brewing method: Bring freshly drawn cold water to a rolling boil. Place 1 teaspoon of tea for each cup into the teapot. Pour the boiling water into the pot, cover and let steep for 2-4 minutes. Pour into your cup; add milk and natural sweetener to taste.
Iced tea brewing method: (to make 1 liter/quart): Place 5 teaspoons of tea into a teapot or heat resistant pitcher. Pour 1 1/4 cups of freshly boiled water over the tea itself. Steep for 5 minutes. Quarter fill a serving pitcher with cold water. Pour the tea into the serving pitcher straining the tea. Add ice and top-up with cold water. Garnish and sweeten to taste.
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These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Products are intended to support general well being and are not intended to treat, diagnose, mitigate, prevent, or cure any condition or disease. If conditions persist, please seek advice from your medical doctor. The essence of the current American rule on Traditional Uses is, as stated by FTC, "Claims based on historical or traditional use should be substantiated by confirming scientific evidence, or should be presented in such a way that consumers understand that the sole basis for the claim is a history of use of the product for a particular purpose."
