THE BENEFITS OF THE USE OF PEPPERMINT
IN HERBAL PREPARATIONS

DOSAGES & APPLICATIONS OF PEPPERMINT
PEPPERMINT
by Susie Ransom
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"Natural Healing with Herbs for a Healthier You"
The dosage that Dr. Christopher recommends for use of peppermint is: Essence, few drops in water; Extract, 1-2 teaspoons;  Infusion, 1 to 2 cupfuls daily between meals (children ¼ to ½ adult dosage);  Tincture, ½ to 1 teaspoon. (33)

There are several applications that peppermint can be used for.  Baths are a relaxing one.  Herbal baths are an opportunity to merge with the herbs of your choice.  The herbs constituents are absorbed through the pores of the skin.  To prepare a bath with herbal tea, brew a strong blend, using about half a cup of herbs in half a gallon of water.  Then strain the tea into the tub.  These are my favorite two recipes.  Energizing Bath:  Use basil, peppermint, rosemary, and thyme.  Exact measurements are not necessary.  Equal parts work fine, just use whatever you have on hand.  Hot Water Bath:  Peppermint herb and fresh cut lemon.  Pour the tea into the tub.(34)

Facial steams are an excellent application for deep skin cleansing, relaxing facial muscles, and improving circulation.  First, wash your face.  Then pour 1 quart of boiling water over a handful of herbs in a glass bowl.  Tie back your hair.  Lean over the bowl and drape a towel over your head.  Keep your face about 10 inches away from the water to avoid getting burned.  Inhale the sensuous steam for 5 to 7 minutes, lifting the towel to vent the steam if necessary.

Footbaths are a good application for a variety of reasons.  Make a gallon of standard herb tea by adding about 16 heaping teaspoons of herb per gallon of water.  Strain out the herbs and pour tea into a big basin.  Insert your feet and soak until the water cools.  Wash your feet with cool water and dry thoroughly.

Mouthwash and gargles are another application.  They are made by preparing a standard tea, allowing it to cool and swishing it around in the mouth, or gargling it.  Then spit it out.

A steam inhalation is different from a facial steam because it is used for a specific health condition.  It can benefit such conditions as asthma, bronchitis, coughs, laryngitis, nasal congestion, and sinus infections.  It helps by warming, increasing circulation in, and loosening mucus from the respiratory tract.  Bring 1 quart of water to a boil and add 4 heaping teaspoons of herbs.  Remove the pot from heat and place it on a heat resistant surface.  Lean over the pot, drape a towel over both your head and the pot.  Breathe in the steam for about 7 minutes or so.  If the water cools enough that the steam starts to dissipate, gently blow into the herb pot and more steam will rise. (35)

Other applications to be used with peppermint would be a fomentation.  Make a standard tea and soak a piece of natural cloth in it.  Put this cloth onto the affected area and cover with plastic to keep the moisture in.  Leave on for as long as necessary.

(33)  Christopher, John. School of Natural Healing p. 459-460
(34)  Mars, Brigitte. Healing Herbal Teas p. 128
(35)  Mars, Brigitte. Healing Herbal Teas p. 134
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