Peppermint

Gastrodynia, flatulent colic, difficult digestion.

Clinical Notes. TCM=uses Mentha haplocalyx (Bo He), used as wind-heat releasing herb, releases exterior & dispels wind-heat, used to treat initial stages of febrile disorders or wind-heat syndromes, clears head, brightens eyes & benefits throat, has light, floating or ascending properties, thus most effective in treating wind-heat in upper body such as headache, sore throat and red eyes, vents rashes, soothes and relieves liver qi stagnation

Action and Therapy. External. Oil of Peppermint is rubefacient and anodyne. It is used alone or in combination with other oils for the relief of neuralgia and toothache, in both of which it is often very efficient. Its external use has been somewhat superseded by menthol, the camphoraceous body to which oil of peppermint owes most of its virtues.

Therapy. In fevers of an inflammatory character caused by exposure to cold and damp, with nausea and vomiting, a warm infusion of peppermint may be given to produce perspiration and promote a cure, as it is a very efficient diaphoretic.

Properties and Uses. This herb is a diffusive stimulant and relaxant, acting as an anti-spasmodic and carminative. It is mostly used for flatulence and wind colic; but may be employed for other sudden pains and crampings through the abdomen, and in cardialgia, hysteria, etc.