HEALTH—Mighty Minty to the Rescue

Peppermint, whose Latin name is mentha piperita, is a helpful agent in cases of stomach flu, nausea and indigestion. Peppermint oil relaxes the smooth muscles of the bowel, while its antibacterial properties fight the flu. Peppermint prevents gas and increases the action of bile in the body while alleviating the nasty sinus headache that often accompanies stomach flu. A well recognized folk remedy for over 200 years, mentha piperita can be differentiated from other types of mint by the purple color on the underside of the leaf.

It is best to plant peppermint in a contained space; otherwise this plant can take over your garden! To dry peppermint, cut the stalks and tie them into small bundles, to be hung in a warm, dark, dry spot. Test for complete dryness by snapping the stalk in half; if it bends at all, it needs more time.

The best time to harvest this plant is right before it flowers. As with most herbs, it is best when fresh, and the high content of volatile oil in peppermint proscribes boiling. To make a peppermint infusion, first let the water in your kettle sit for a few minutes after boiling. Next, pour the hot water over the herb and steep, covered, for 5-7 minutes. Strain and enjoy your peppermint tea!

Peppermint leaves can be chewed raw or added to ice cubes as a refreshing digestive aid. This helpful herb can even treat people with gallstones or gallbladder inflammation, and can be taken in capsule form to heal itchy skin from the inside out.

Recently my children and I came down with the stomach flu, and peppermint essential oil became an invaluable aid. By adding 10 drops of peppermint oil and 5 drops of tea-tree oil to a spray bottle, I made an aromatic mister to freshen up the room which doubled as a sanitizing spray to wipe down any messes near the vomit bowl. Some peppermint essential oil straight onto the bedtime stuffed toy served to relieve night-time nausea (if you do this, be sure to warn children not to hold the toy directly to the face or eyes). Caution: do not use peppermint oil undiluted on the skin; do not put in the bath; and do not use on infants under one year old.

My son had a cotton ball with peppermint oil poking through the button hole of his coat to help with nausea while outdoors. His coat still smells like peppermint! Peppermint combines well with other herbs. Mix peppermint with elder-flower and lemon-balm to take warm in cases of fever. Combine valerian root with peppermint to soothe the stomach and act as a safe and gentle sedative.

Here’s a combination that works well as Tummy Tea: Peppermint and young, fresh blackberry leaves. Steep for 5-10 minutes, add a few drops of Oregon-grape-root tincture, and sweeten with a little honey.

Fennel, mullein, calendula. chamomile (as a weak tea), marshmallow root, Oregon-grape root, and raspberry leaves are some other helpful herbs for tummy troubles. Young blackberry leaves, having an astringent effect on the system, can be especially helpful when diarrhea happens.

Ulmus fulva, slippery-elm bark, is safe to use on babies over 6 months of age. Powdered slippery-elm can be made into a gruel when no other food can be taken by mouth. It is also available in lozenge form. Add slippery elm to a small glass of water and sip slowly. Slippery elm also helps soothe itchy skin when added directly to bath water. Do not take slippery elm when taking prescription meds, however.

Zingiber officianalis, otherwise known as ginger, can enhance the activity of other herbs, this makes it an excellent herb for combinations. Ginger increases digestion and helps ease nausea. It is a good idea to keep some candied ginger on hand to ease nausea and raise the blood-sugar level after a puking session.

For foods that are easy on the tummy, follow the rule, the plainer the better. To get through this sensitive time, try apples, bananas, oatmeal with cinnamon, dry toast or crackers, brown or white rice, miso soup, raw spinach, parsley, dill and frozen or fresh blackberries. Avoid dairy products, eggs, meat, beans, sugary foods, processed foods, fried foods, spices, corn, chocolate, and coffee. Acidophilus is good to keep on hand to fight bad bacteria and renew the healthy flora in the digestive system, Be sure to buy a good-quality brand and keep it in the refrigerator.

You may not feel like ingesting anything, but it’s especially important to stay hydrated. Encourage frequent small sips of water. Children may become thirsty after vomiting but it’s not a good idea to chug water at this point, as this may cause more vomiting.

You’ll love this recipe for stomach-soothing popsicles: add organic apple juice or cider to your popsicle-maker. Stir in some slippery-elm-bark powder, add one drop of Oregon-grape root to each Popsicle; add a sprinkle of spirulina to half a tray, place in freezer.

Should you get a stomach flu allow yourself as much rest as possible and keep the fresh air flowing Contact your family doctor if you don’t notice any improvement when using a herbal remedy, stronger medicine may be required.