Peppermint Description

What is it?

'Mentha piperita' The peppermint plant is a hybrid of spearmint and water mint. Its active ingredient is a volatile oil made up of more than 40 components.

Traditional use

Indigestion relief. As an inhalant, for clearing congestion in coughs and colds. Soothing the digestive tract, easing IBS, relieving nausea, helps to dissolve gallstones, sweetens breath.

Who could benefit?

IBS sufferers. People with colds.

How to buy/take

Take 1 or 2 enteric coated capsules containing 0.2ml oil each per day. Or, drink up to 4 cups of peppermint tea per day. Or put 2 drops of peppermint oil in a steam bath and inhale.

Side effects/ contra-indications

Don’t take if using homeopathic remedies, or if pregnant. Peppermint oil acts as a relaxant on the muscles of the stomach and gastro-intestinal tract, and can aggravate acid reflux or the symptoms of hiatus hernia. Do not put peppermint oil on the nostrils or chests of children under 5 years old.