Mentha Piperita.
Syn.—Peppermint.
P. E.—Leaves and flowers.
N. O.—Labiateae.
N. H.—America, Europe, Asia.
Properties: Antispasmodic, stimulant, carminative.
Use: We think of it in nausea, vomiting, flatulence, colic, griping or spasmodic pain in the bowels, diarrhea; all the result of atony or irritability of the stomach or intestinal tract. Reflex pain from pressure of gas. Where there is a tendency of the food to ferment in the stomach it acts as an antiseptic and tonic and thus prevents fermentation and improves digestion in a general way. It is contraindicated in inflammatory conditions of the gastro-intestinal tract. As a menstruum for other indicated remedies in conditions where it is indicated mentha piperita is extensively used in the form of peppermint water.
The Materia Medica and Clinical Therapeutics, 1905, was written by Fred J. Petersen, M.D.