Peppermint is a perennial groundcover that can grow in
both partial shade or in full sun. As mint is an invasive plant, you need to contain
it in the bed within a plastic edging to prevent it from spreading, or you can plant
it in a large tub. Peppermint will grow well in a container if it is planted
in well composted soil and fed regularly with foliar food and a good organic fertiliser
- and it will need regular pruning to prevent the stems from getting straggly and
woody. Peppermint is a very heavy feeder and enjoys the application of
a layer of manure once a year, and dressing of organic fertiliser twice a year.
Parts used: The leaves and flowers are used fresh, or dried. (out
of the sun).
The dried leaves keep their flavour well, if stored in an airtight container - preferably
a glass jar with a tight fitting lid.
Culinary uses:
-
Add a sprig of mint to peas or carrots (at the end of cooking time).
-
It tastes good in puddings - add chopped or whole fresh mint to fruit salads,
jellies.
-
Serve iced drinks with chopped or whole Peppermint leaves.
-
Fresh or dried sprigs make a refreshing tea. Once made remove the herb from
the water, and drink, or, cool it off and put it in the fridge and serve
it as an iced tea. When diluting pure fruit juice with water, add a sprig
of Peppermint and put to chill - it gives a delightful undertaste.
Medicinal uses:
Peppermint has been used medicinally for thousands of years. These
days the essential oil of Peppermint, is used in toothpaste, indigestion
tablets, chocolates and confectionaries, as well as cigarettes! Peppermint
has the highest medicinal value of the many mint herbs that we know, with great
cooling properties due to the high content of menthol. Menthol is the key ingredient
in remedies for gastric and digestive disorders, irritable bowel syndrome and nervous
complaints such as tension and insomnia. Peppermint leaf infusions
are taken for
- Relaxing the muscles of the digestive tract and to stimulate bile flow -
which relieves indigestion, flatulence, heartburn and colic.
- Peppermint reduces nausea and can be helpful for travel sickness.
- Peppermint promotes sweating in fevers and influenza. It is a decongestant
for colds, cough and sinus problems.
- Peppermint is sometimes used for head aches and migraines.
- During Exam time - Peppermint helps clear thinking and concentration
- to stay alert, keep the mind clear, to retain facts and to calm exam time
nerves.
- Use Peppermint tea as a gargle and mouthwash to clear mouth and
gum infections.
- Cooled Peppermint tea is an excellent eye wash to removes dust
and grit.
- During Menopause - Peppermint tea will relief hot flushes, and
help rapid beating heart.
- A cooled Peppermint tea "splash" will tone up circulation and makes
a good treatment for tired/ swollen feet.
- A wash with Peppermint tea will take out the sting or itch of insect
bites.
- Chew a sprig of Peppermint to sweeten your breath.
- Chewing a Peppermint leaf will also ease flatulence and heartburn.
- Inhalation: Put fresh sprigs in a bowl of boiling water
and inhale the steam to clear nasal congestion, to unblock sinuses and to also
ease head aches.
- Hot Compress: these can be applied to
reduce pain and swelling in inflamed joints, rheumatism and neuralgia. I would
like to recommend the following method to apply a compress
as written by Margie Frayne in her book "Help yourself to health. A guide
for home health using healing herbs and good nutrition." 2005:
Method: Dip a cloth or bandage or a pad of cotton wool in the herbal
infusion (1 tsp, of dried Peppermint/ or 3 tsp. fresh herb infused
in 250ml boiling water for 5-15 minutes). Squeeze out until not dripping. Place
on the body for a few minutes. Refresh by dipping in the herbal infusion and placing
on the body again. Repeat this for about 15 minutes, twice daily.
|
|
