Do not give mint to babies
Mint as a fortifying plant is suitable for treating diseases such as flu, sore throat, bronchitis and asthma, and consumption of mint is not recommended for infants, said a medicinal plant ecologist.
Dr. Shahram Amirmoradi said about the mint plant: Since two thousand years ago, different types of mint have been used as a spice and medicine.
He added: Mint is a perennial herbaceous plant whose aerial parts dry out in the winter cold and next year new stems grow from its underground organs. The leaves, vegetative body and essential oil of this plant have been mentioned as medicine.
Amir Moradi said: Mint is used in the pharmaceutical industry and for the treatment of pain and bloating; The aroma of mint is also used to flavor bad-tasting medicines.
The herbalist pointed out that this plant has the maximum amount of essential oil at the time of flowering, he said: Peppermint essential oil has antibacterial properties and is used in the preparation of solutions for rinsing the mouth and throat.
Peppermint essential oil is also used in pharmaceuticals, beverages, food, cosmetics and health industries.
Amir Moradi added: Among the extracted essential oils of mint, we can mention menthol, which has the highest amount of peppermint essential oil; Other essential oils of peppermint include menthol, piperitone, polygon, penne, sabinine, cinnamol, and methyl acetate.
The expert said about the digestive properties of mint: Among the properties of this plant, we can mention indigestion and bloating, relieving hiccups, reducing gastric mucosal secretion, appetite, relieving pain, relieving nausea, biliary and relieving morning sickness. Peppermint strengthens the stomach, removes gallstones, and is also anti-cough, expectorant and anti-cold; In addition, this herb is useful for relieving flu, sore throat, bronchitis and asthma.
Amir Moradi, referring to the contraindications to the use of mint, stated: This plant stimulates mucous membranes and should not be used for children for more than a week without interruption; Also, no form of mint is recommended for infants. During breastfeeding, oral consumption of mint should be avoided because it reduces the flow of milk.
The herbalist enumerated the botanical characteristics of this plant and reminded: Peppermint is one of the most widely used medicinal plants with an annual consumption of essential oil of about 7,000 tons in the world. This plant has creeping stems of Stolon and underground stems of Rhizome and its stem is rectangular and reddish-purple.
Amir Moradi added: The spicy taste of mint leaves has caused this plant to be called peppermint. Peppermint can be grown in most places, but this plant has the best quantitative and qualitative performance in long day conditions and high humidity and temperature of 18 to 20 degrees.
He continued: This plant, due to its shallow roots, should be irrigated at short intervals and in relatively large quantities, and sandy loam soils with high humus content and five to eight acidity will be suitable for its cultivation.