Peppermint, Mentha piperita

Chest Congestion and Coughing: Oxeye daisy is effective in relieving the coughing spasms of whooping cough and colds, and helping relieve congestion and mucous in the lungs. Try Oxeye Flower Tea or Tincture for this purpose. Asthma: Oxeye daisy is an antispasmodic and helps relieve spasms in the airway, helping people with asthma breathe easier. Tonic: Oxeye daisy is a mild tonic for the body, soothing irritation and inflammation in the body.

Wounds, Bruises, Rashes, Fungal Infec-

tions, and Other Skin Diseases: Oxeye daisy acts to soothe inflammation and irritations of the skin and is a good ingredient for lotions and salves. Used on the skin, it helps heal cuts, scrapes, bruises, insect bites and stings, and fungal infections. The tea or decoction can be used as a wash. Eye Infections, Conjunctivitis: Boil the flowers in distilled water and strain through a fine mesh or coffee filter. Cool and use the sterile wash as an eye drop in the treatment of eye infections. Detoxing, Diuretic Properties: Oxeye daisy is a mild diuretic and promotes sweating. It helps the body remove toxins through the urine and skin. Insecticide and Flea Control: Dried flower heads, pounded or ground into a powder, are useful as a flea powder and as an insecticide. Harvesting: Harvest the leaves, flowers, and stems while the plant is in bloom. Dry for future use. Recipes. Oxeye Daisy Flower Tea: Boil oxeye daisy flowers, leaves, and stalks together, reduce heat and steep for 5 to 10 minutes. Strain and flavor with raw honey.

Peppermint is also called balm mint, curled mint, and lamb mint. The plant is easily recognized by its classic scent and flavor. Peppermint likes moist, rich soil and spreads quickly. It is indigenous to Europe but can be found worldwide. It is in the Lamiaceae (Mint) Family. Identification: Peppermint is a perennial plant that grows from 1 to 3 feet (0.3m to 0,9m) tall. It has smooth, square stems and dark green opposite leaves with reddish veins. The leaves are 1 to 3 inches (2.5 cm to 7.5 cm) long and about half as wide. Leaves have coarsely toothed margins, a pointed tip, and are covered in short hairs. Purple flowers bloom from mid to late summer and are about 1/4 inch (0.6 cm) in length. The flowers do not produce viable seeds and the plant spreads by underground roots and rooting stems.

Peppermint, Aleksa Lukic - Own work, CC by 3.0

Edible Use: Peppermint is edible and often used as a tea. Medicinal Use: Gastroenteritis, Indiges-

tion, Flatulence, Stomach, Intestinal, and

Liver Problems: Peppermint leaves and tea are well known as a treatment for indigestion, excess gas, nausea, and other stomach upsets.