Typical Places Found: Cultivated widely, particularly in Europe and America.

How to Collect This Herb:  The aerial parts are collected just before the flowers open.

Part Used: Aerial parts.

Carminative, anti-inflammatory, anti-spasmodic, aromatic, diaphoretic, anti-emetic, nervine, anti-microbial, analgesic.

Peppermint is an excellent carminative, having a relaxing effect on the muscles of the digestive system, combats flatulence and stimulates bile and digestive juice flow. It is used to relieve intestinal colic, flatulent dyspepsia and associated conditions.  The volatile oil acts as a mild anesthetic to the stomach wall, which allays feelings of nausea and the desire to vomit.  It helps to relieve the nausea & vomiting of pregnancy and travel sickness.  Peppermint can play a role in the treatment of ulcerative conditions of the bowels. It is a traditional treatment of fevers, colds and influenza.  As an inhalant it is used as temporary relief for nasal catarrh.  Where headaches are associated with digestion, Peppermint may help.  As a nervine it eases anxiety and tension. In painful periods, it relieves the pain and eases associated tension.  Externally it is used to relieve itching and inflammations.

Combinations: For colds and influenza it may be used with Boneset, Elder Flowers and Yarrow.

Preparations & Dosage:

Infusion: pour a cup of boiling water onto a heaped teaspoonful of the dried herb and leave to infuse for l0 minutes. This may be drunk as often as desired.

Tincture: l-2ml three times a day.

How to Collect This Herb:  The rootstock is dug up when the leaves have dried. The remains of the stem and root fibers should be removed. Wash thoroughly and dry in the sun.

Part Used : The rootstock

Stimulant, carminative, anti-spasmodic, rubefacient, diaphoretic, emmenagogue.

Ginger may be used as a stimulant of the peripheral circulation in cases of bad circulation, chilblains and cramps. In feverish conditions, Ginger acts as a useful diaphoretic, promoting perspiration. As a gargle it may be effective in the relief of sore throats. Externally it is the base of many fibrositis and muscle sprain treatments. Ginger has been used world-wide as an aromatic carminative and pungent appetite stimulant. In India, and in other countries with hot and humid climates, ginger is eaten daily and is a well-known remedy for digestion problems. Its wide-spread use is not only be due to flavor, but to the anti-oxidant and anti-microbial effects, necessary for preservation of food, essential in such climates.

Ginger Preparations & Dosage

Infusion: pour a cup of boiling water onto l teaspoonful of the fresh root and let it infuse for 5 minutes. Drink whenever needed. Decoction: if you are using the dried root in powdered or finely chopped form, make a decoction by putting l l/2 teaspoonfuls to a cup of water. Bring it to the boil and simmer for 5-l0 minutes. This can be drunk whenever needed.

Tincture: the tincture comes in two forms, weak Tincture B.P. which should be taken in a dose of l.5-3ml three times a day and the Strong Tincture B.P. which should be taken in a dose of 0.25-0.5ml three times a day.