Mentha x piperita Labiatae

Peppermint’s volatile oil contains menthol, menthone and menthylacetate. Menthol is antibacterial and antiparisitic and has a wide range of uses.

Mint tea is recommended as a digestive after rich meals, a decongestant and as a reviving drink in cases of giddiness. A handful of crushed fresh leaves held pressed against the forehead relieves headaches. Mixed with balm, meadowsweet, rosemary and vervain, it makes another good treatment for headaches. Add a heaped teaspoon of the mixture to a cup of boiling water and drink a cup every few hours.