Medicinal Recipes: Using Peppermint
There are many ways to use peppermint medicinally. Here are a few suggestions:
At the first sign of a cold:
Take a mixture of elderflower, peppermint, and yarrow. Infuse 1 tsp. of each dried herb (or 1 tbsp. of each fresh herb) per 1 cup of boiling water. Let it steep for 20 minutes. Strain, and add 1tsp. of honey and 1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper.
This should decrease the intensity and the discomfort of a cold or a flu. In addition, sipping this tea during a cold or flu will promote perspiration and reduce body temperatures.
To reduce nausea:
Peppermint is good for nausea because it has antispasmodic actions in the gastrointestinal tract.
You can either make a tincture and add 10-15 drops of the peppermint tincture to water, or you can infuse 1 tsp. fresh or dried peppermint leaves to each 1 cup of boiling water. Let it steep for 15-20 minutes. Strain. Take it 3-4 times per day.
For irritable bowel relief:
Peppermint is an ideal remedy for people with irritable bowel syndrome, again, due to its’ antispasmodic effects.
You can either make a tincture and add 10-15 drops of the peppermint tincture to water, or you can infuse 1 tsp. of fresh or dried peppermint leaves to each 1 cup of boiling water. Let it steep for 15-20 minutes. Strain. Take it 3-4 times per day.
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Thank you for this informative article. I grow feverfew, but have not understood how to use it for migraines.
Are all the uses listed above for the leaves only?
Thank you.
I didn’t know how to use or care for my plant.
Can you please add companion plant’s I can plant with it?
My friend’s young daughter has been diagnosed with Ehlers Danlos syndrome. and is dealing with chronic migraines. I have made lemon balm tea bags for her to help her sleep and relax. I planted feverfew last year, and it’s coming up nicely this spring. I wanted to learn how to harvest feverfew and use it for remedies, and do it safely before offering it to my friend, so this is very helpful. Thanks!
Found a plant at a farmer’s market a couple weeks ago, and I’m growing it for the first time (I suffer from migraines). Found your article and WOW entire website!! for future reference – can’t wait to harvest, use, and even propagate for next season. May give even some to my mother who has 10 green fingers and see what she thinks. Have you ever tried rooting it in water? Curious if that works – if not, I have some rooting compound I can try on a cutting once my plant is large enough.
Thanks for your tips – need to move my pot (I have a container garden, herbs and flowers only) to a sunnier spot!!
I’ve been growing feverfew for quite a few years. I’m starting a tincture tomorrow using feverfew , lemon balm and lavender separately. Already have lemon balm and lavender in olive oil going. Just read your recipe for a feverfew salve I’d like to try. Love your site!
Great article, thank you. I am growing Feverfew and only just now learning about how to use it as a tea. I love this plant with its pretty foliage and flowers.
Hello!
My feverfew is currently in its second year and it has exploded this year into a gorgeous, prolific bush and is additionally currently in absolute full bloom. It is a stunning specimen. But since I’ve planted in last year, I haven’t harvested any and am still somewhat confused as to how…. Currently, being in its second year and in the fullest bloom, what exactly should I harvest?? Your post only discusses the ‘leaves’…. Well, the leaves are always there… but now I have blooms as well. Bountiful, profuse blooms. Should I/could I pluck fresh leaves for a fresh herb tea or to dehydrate? Can I pick the blooms? and if I pick the blooms, would I utilizes the entire blossom, petals and core and all, or only the blossom petals? or perhaps only the core pod? can I dry or consume the stalk of the plant? or only the leaf itself? Or, overall, is the entire plant readily consumable? kindly please tell me more about your use of the plant. Thanks!
When I first bought my house 20 years ago there was feverfew plants in our front garden bed. Now, I have feverfew everywhere I look. It is very easy to grow, replants itself every spring from the previous years seeds. What I’m not quite sure about is, how to keep the plants from turning brown and straggly over time. Some of mine turn basically into bushes similar to large daisy bushes and others are just small. Both have problems with turning brown at times – generally after 2 seasons. Are the plants just made to survive one or two seasons and be replaced with their new seedlings? Just curious and a warning about planting too many.
My first year growing feverfew and I have lots of flowers now,, but everything is falling down, too tall and leggy. Can I safely prune it back, and if so when?
Also my first year growing Chamomille, and having same problem with that
Yes, I prune almost all of my herbs to keep them more bushy and less leggy.