THE BENEFITS OF THE USE OF PEPPERMINT
IN HERBAL PREPARATIONS
KNOWN HERBAL FORMULAS OF PEPPERMINT
IN HERBAL PREPARATIONS
KNOWN HERBAL FORMULAS OF PEPPERMINT
PEPPERMINT
by Susie Ransom
by Susie Ransom
This site brought to you by The School of Natural Healing & Christopher Publications
"Natural Healing with Herbs for a Healthier You"
The formulas which include peppermint in their ingredients are used for various health reasons. Some are made into capsules to be taken internally, some into tinctures, and some into teas. Peppermint is often used in tea blends for flavor, but since they are herbs that bring virtues of their own to a blend, they also create synergy. (27)
Peppermint is used as a flavoring in many commercial preparations like toothpaste, mouthwash, ice cream, candies, and chewing gum. One interesting side note is that the products that are made with artificial peppermint flavoring do not have any of the healing properties that peppermint is well known for. (Imagine that!)
One of the most used formulas with peppermint herb is Dr. Christopher’s formula for Barberry LG. It contains barberry, wild yam, cramp bark, fennel seed, ginger, catnip, and peppermint. This cleans the liver and gall bladder area. Other formulas from Dr. Christopher are: Herbal Tooth Powder; 3 parts oak bark, 6 parts comfrey root, 3 parts horsetail grass, l part lobelia, l part cloves, and three parts peppermint. The recipe for his Nose Ointment formula is: l part oil of spearmint, l part oil of peppermint, and 4 parts Vaseline. His Antigas Formula contains: fennel, wild yam, catnip, ginger, peppermint, spearmint, papaya and lobelia. (28)
To make an Analgesic Oil, put 1 ½ cups dried peppermint leaves into 2 cups cold pressed olive oil in a glass jar. Store away from the light for 1 month. Shake it every 2-3 days. Strain. This oil can be kept for 1 year if not exposed to the light. (29)
A typical tincture of peppermint would be l part peppermint oil combined with 9 parts pure grain alcohol.
Teas are probably the most used form of the peppermint herb itself. To make a tea put 1 heaping teaspoon dried herb, or 3 teaspoons fresh herb into a cup. Fill with boiling water and cover tightly so the volatile oils don’t escape. Let steep for at least 10 minutes.
The following are well known formulas for teas:
Flu Remedy: 1 oz. peppermint leaves, 1 oz. elder flowers. Pour into ½ pint boiling water, cover, steep for 15 minutes.
Menstrual Obstructions: 1 part peppermint leaves, l part wood betony herb. (30)
Stomach Tonic: 3 grams peppermint leaves, 3 grams fennel seed, l gram turkey rhubarb.
Gallstone Tea: Gather as many variety of mints as you have in your garden. Add some cardamon seed and brew.
Antiflatulence Tea: 2 parts peppermint leaf, l part cinnamon bark, l part fennel seed, l part ginger root.
Appetite Stimulant Tea: 2 parts lemon balm, l part peppermint leaf, ½ part orange peel, ½ part sage leaf.
Better Body Odor Tea: 2 parts peppermint leaf, 2 parts spearmint leaf, 1 part alfalfa, 1 part nettle.
Breath Freshening Tea: 2 parts anise seed, 2 parts dandelion leaf, 2 parts peppermint leaf, l part cardamon seed, l part cinnamon bark, ½ part orange peel.
Cold and Flu Relief Tea: 2 parts Echinacea root, 2 parts peppermint leaf, 2 parts yarrow flower, 1 part elder flower, 1 part ginger root.
Cough Stop Tea: 2 parts elder berry, 2 parts peppermint leaf, l part marshmallow root, 1 part mullein leaf, 1 part red clover blossom, 1 part thyme leaf, ½ part licorice root.
Digestive Aid Tea: 2 parts anise seed, 2 parts peppermint leaf, 1 part angelica root, ½ part orange peel.
Diuretic Tea: 2 parts dandelion leaf, 2 parts nettle leaf, 1 part peppermint leaf, 1 part yerba mate herb.
Fasting Tea: 2 parts nettle, 2 parts peppermint leaf, 2 parts red clover blossoms, 1 part dandelion root, 1 part fennel seed.
Fungi-Be-Gone Tea: 2 parts cinnamon bark, 2 parts lemongrass herb, 1 part chamomile flower, 1 part ginger root, 1 part peppermint leaf, 1 part thyme leaf.
Headache Tea: 2 parts chamomile flower, 2 parts peppermint leaf, 2 parts lemon balm herb, 1 part rosemary leaf, ½ part dandelion root.
Immune Health Tea: 2 parts Echinacea root, 2 parts lemongrass herb, 2 parts peppermint leaf, 1 part elder berry, 1 part elder flower, 1 part rose hip, ½ part green tea leaf.
Irritable Bowel Tea: 2 parts chamomile flower, 2 parts marshmallow root, 1 part fennel seed, 1 part licorice root, 1 part peppermint herb.
Menstrual Cramp Tea: 2 parts chamomile flower, 2 parts oat straw, 2 parts peppermint leaf, 2 parts raspberry leaf, 1 part dandelion root, 1 part ginger root, 1 part rosemary leaf.
Lung Health Tea: 2 parts elder flower, 2 parts hyssop leaf, 2 parts green tea leaf, 2 parts mullein leaf, 2 parts peppermint, 1 part fennel seed, 1 part ginger root, 1 part licorice root, 1 part rose hip, ½ part thyme herb.
Nausea Relief Tea: 2 parts peppermint leaf, l part cinnamon bark, 1 part ginger root.
Pain Relief Tea: 2 parts chamomile flower, 1 part ginger root, 1 part linden flower, 1 part marshmallow root, 1 part peppermint leaf, 1 part rosemary leaf, ½ part clove bud.
Stomach Soothing Tea: 2 parts alfalfa leaf, 2 parts peppermint leaf, 1 part anise seed, 1 part cardamon seed, 1 part ginger root.
Babies Colic Tea: (To be consumed by the nursing mother) 2 parts catnip, 2 parts peppermint leaf, 1 part anise or fennel seed, 1 part chamomile flower.
Summer Harmony Tea: 2 parts peppermint leaf, 2 parts hibiscus flower, 1 part elder flower, 1 part lemon balm herb. (31)
Peppermint has an ability to repel some insects and here are two formulas for that:
Peppermint Mosquito Spray: put 30 drops of peppermint oil in a small spray bottle filled with cider vinegar. Spray on exposed areas of the skin while you are outside and want to keep the bugs away.
Ant Repellent: To prevent ants from entering your home, put peppermint oil on cotton balls to be put on shelves, and along entryways. Or spray the oil mixed with water along these same areas. Refresh every three days for 9 days total. (32)
My favorite formula for toothpaste is as follows: Mix 3 parts of baking soda with l part sea salt. Add 3 teaspoons of glycerin for every ¼ cup of dry mixture. Add enough water to make a thick paste. Add 4-5 drops of peppermint oil (or to taste). Apply and use just as you would any other toothpaste. Store unused toothpaste at room temperature in a covered container.
(27) Zak, Victoria. 20,000 Secrets of Tea p. 31
(28) Christopher, John. School of Natural Healing p. 580
(29) herbs2000 www.herbs2000.com Peppermint p. 4
(30) Christopher, John. School of Natural Healing p. 461
(31) Mars, Brigitte. Healing Herbal Teas p. 108-120
(32) Fredericksburg Herb Farm. www.fredericksburgherbfarm.com Peppermint p. 1
Peppermint is used as a flavoring in many commercial preparations like toothpaste, mouthwash, ice cream, candies, and chewing gum. One interesting side note is that the products that are made with artificial peppermint flavoring do not have any of the healing properties that peppermint is well known for. (Imagine that!)
One of the most used formulas with peppermint herb is Dr. Christopher’s formula for Barberry LG. It contains barberry, wild yam, cramp bark, fennel seed, ginger, catnip, and peppermint. This cleans the liver and gall bladder area. Other formulas from Dr. Christopher are: Herbal Tooth Powder; 3 parts oak bark, 6 parts comfrey root, 3 parts horsetail grass, l part lobelia, l part cloves, and three parts peppermint. The recipe for his Nose Ointment formula is: l part oil of spearmint, l part oil of peppermint, and 4 parts Vaseline. His Antigas Formula contains: fennel, wild yam, catnip, ginger, peppermint, spearmint, papaya and lobelia. (28)
To make an Analgesic Oil, put 1 ½ cups dried peppermint leaves into 2 cups cold pressed olive oil in a glass jar. Store away from the light for 1 month. Shake it every 2-3 days. Strain. This oil can be kept for 1 year if not exposed to the light. (29)
A typical tincture of peppermint would be l part peppermint oil combined with 9 parts pure grain alcohol.
Teas are probably the most used form of the peppermint herb itself. To make a tea put 1 heaping teaspoon dried herb, or 3 teaspoons fresh herb into a cup. Fill with boiling water and cover tightly so the volatile oils don’t escape. Let steep for at least 10 minutes.
The following are well known formulas for teas:
Flu Remedy: 1 oz. peppermint leaves, 1 oz. elder flowers. Pour into ½ pint boiling water, cover, steep for 15 minutes.
Menstrual Obstructions: 1 part peppermint leaves, l part wood betony herb. (30)
Stomach Tonic: 3 grams peppermint leaves, 3 grams fennel seed, l gram turkey rhubarb.
Gallstone Tea: Gather as many variety of mints as you have in your garden. Add some cardamon seed and brew.
Antiflatulence Tea: 2 parts peppermint leaf, l part cinnamon bark, l part fennel seed, l part ginger root.
Appetite Stimulant Tea: 2 parts lemon balm, l part peppermint leaf, ½ part orange peel, ½ part sage leaf.
Better Body Odor Tea: 2 parts peppermint leaf, 2 parts spearmint leaf, 1 part alfalfa, 1 part nettle.
Breath Freshening Tea: 2 parts anise seed, 2 parts dandelion leaf, 2 parts peppermint leaf, l part cardamon seed, l part cinnamon bark, ½ part orange peel.
Cold and Flu Relief Tea: 2 parts Echinacea root, 2 parts peppermint leaf, 2 parts yarrow flower, 1 part elder flower, 1 part ginger root.
Cough Stop Tea: 2 parts elder berry, 2 parts peppermint leaf, l part marshmallow root, 1 part mullein leaf, 1 part red clover blossom, 1 part thyme leaf, ½ part licorice root.
Digestive Aid Tea: 2 parts anise seed, 2 parts peppermint leaf, 1 part angelica root, ½ part orange peel.
Diuretic Tea: 2 parts dandelion leaf, 2 parts nettle leaf, 1 part peppermint leaf, 1 part yerba mate herb.
Fasting Tea: 2 parts nettle, 2 parts peppermint leaf, 2 parts red clover blossoms, 1 part dandelion root, 1 part fennel seed.
Fungi-Be-Gone Tea: 2 parts cinnamon bark, 2 parts lemongrass herb, 1 part chamomile flower, 1 part ginger root, 1 part peppermint leaf, 1 part thyme leaf.
Headache Tea: 2 parts chamomile flower, 2 parts peppermint leaf, 2 parts lemon balm herb, 1 part rosemary leaf, ½ part dandelion root.
Immune Health Tea: 2 parts Echinacea root, 2 parts lemongrass herb, 2 parts peppermint leaf, 1 part elder berry, 1 part elder flower, 1 part rose hip, ½ part green tea leaf.
Irritable Bowel Tea: 2 parts chamomile flower, 2 parts marshmallow root, 1 part fennel seed, 1 part licorice root, 1 part peppermint herb.
Menstrual Cramp Tea: 2 parts chamomile flower, 2 parts oat straw, 2 parts peppermint leaf, 2 parts raspberry leaf, 1 part dandelion root, 1 part ginger root, 1 part rosemary leaf.
Lung Health Tea: 2 parts elder flower, 2 parts hyssop leaf, 2 parts green tea leaf, 2 parts mullein leaf, 2 parts peppermint, 1 part fennel seed, 1 part ginger root, 1 part licorice root, 1 part rose hip, ½ part thyme herb.
Nausea Relief Tea: 2 parts peppermint leaf, l part cinnamon bark, 1 part ginger root.
Pain Relief Tea: 2 parts chamomile flower, 1 part ginger root, 1 part linden flower, 1 part marshmallow root, 1 part peppermint leaf, 1 part rosemary leaf, ½ part clove bud.
Stomach Soothing Tea: 2 parts alfalfa leaf, 2 parts peppermint leaf, 1 part anise seed, 1 part cardamon seed, 1 part ginger root.
Babies Colic Tea: (To be consumed by the nursing mother) 2 parts catnip, 2 parts peppermint leaf, 1 part anise or fennel seed, 1 part chamomile flower.
Summer Harmony Tea: 2 parts peppermint leaf, 2 parts hibiscus flower, 1 part elder flower, 1 part lemon balm herb. (31)
Peppermint has an ability to repel some insects and here are two formulas for that:
Peppermint Mosquito Spray: put 30 drops of peppermint oil in a small spray bottle filled with cider vinegar. Spray on exposed areas of the skin while you are outside and want to keep the bugs away.
Ant Repellent: To prevent ants from entering your home, put peppermint oil on cotton balls to be put on shelves, and along entryways. Or spray the oil mixed with water along these same areas. Refresh every three days for 9 days total. (32)
My favorite formula for toothpaste is as follows: Mix 3 parts of baking soda with l part sea salt. Add 3 teaspoons of glycerin for every ¼ cup of dry mixture. Add enough water to make a thick paste. Add 4-5 drops of peppermint oil (or to taste). Apply and use just as you would any other toothpaste. Store unused toothpaste at room temperature in a covered container.
(27) Zak, Victoria. 20,000 Secrets of Tea p. 31
(28) Christopher, John. School of Natural Healing p. 580
(29) herbs2000 www.herbs2000.com Peppermint p. 4
(30) Christopher, John. School of Natural Healing p. 461
(31) Mars, Brigitte. Healing Herbal Teas p. 108-120
(32) Fredericksburg Herb Farm. www.fredericksburgherbfarm.com Peppermint p. 1