Pinging the list (freepmail to get on/off). Posting the first of a series of herbs for migraines. More shortly.
Migraines
Peppermint
Dosage: 1-30 grams per day (dry herb made into tea) or 10-30 drops of tincture. I use peppermint EO as well, for external use.
Tissues: plasma, blood, muscle, nerve, and marrow
Systems: digestive, respiratory, nervous, circulatory
Properties: stimulant, carminative, diaphoretic, nervine, analgesic, anti-spasmodic
Indications: indigestion, heartburn, colds, influenza, fever, coughs, sore throat, laryngitis, headaches, dysmenorrheya, flatulence, cramps, colic, sinus congestion, nausea, nervoiusness, morning sickness, motion sickness, inflammation, colitis, Crohn’s disease
Peppermint soothes digestive complaints and refreshes the mind and nervous system. It helps reduce excess mucus in the respirtory and GI tracts. It stimulates the bile and digestive juices, is one of the best carminative and anti-spasmodic herbs. For discomfort with irritable or inflammatory bowel disorders, it can be combined with herbs like Shatavari, Marshmallow, and Licorice.
It helps to relieve fevers and other symptoms of colds and influenza. It is quite effective for relieving headaches caused by excess pitta (internal heat), especially migraines. It can be combined with cooling nerviness like skullcap, gotu kola or feverfew. Pepperment EO can be applied to the temples for temporary relief of headaches. Best to blend with a small amount of carrier oil like coconut or almond, although I have applied it neat. Be careful with eyes!
I used to get horrible headaches regularly, were likely migraines, and used to rub Tiger Balm and other like substances on my forehead and temples; the camphor and menthol helped.
For headaches Peppermint EO can be blended with other cooling EOs like sandalwood, rose (very pricey now) or nutmeg.
Peppermint helps relieve anxiety, stress, and nervous tension, and is often used in blends as an assisting or harmonizing herbs. I use powdered peppermint herb in several formulas, for the mind, brain, and digestion, as well as in tooth powder, and always have dried peppermint on hand for tea.
Some years ago a neighbor called up with horrible back pain and asked if I had anything to help, he knows I am an herbalist. He has had many injuries, has metal things in his neck, etc. I asked if he had any peppermint EO on hand, of course he didn’t. I asked if he had any peppermint flavor in the kitchen, and he did. I told him to rub it on the painful area and on the spine.
It worked like magic.
I humbly admit I have never used this herb, but after reading about it, I want some and will recommend to a client/friend who suffers from headaches and other reactions to chemicals and artificial perfumes.
Feverfew
Dosage 3-9 grams per day, in cold infusion (soak in cold water), or 30-60 drops of tincture
Tissues: Plasma and blood
Properties: antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, vasodilator, relaxant, uterine stimulant, carminative, bitter tonic, purgative (oops watch out…)
Indications: headache, colds, influenza, allergies, cough, difficult breathing, PMS, migraines, arthritis, insect bites, scanty menstrual flow.
Precautions: pregnancy, or using it while taking anti-coagulant drugs
Feverfew is useful for relieving headaches, especially those affiliated with the hot, sharp and penetrating qualities of pitta (fire element), in the blood, as is common in migraines. It is also useful for headaches triggered by a strong reaction to chemical odors or synthetic perfumes. It is a good relaxant herb for those with a great deal of stress and tension, and combines well with herbs like gotu kola.
A tea of the leaves and flowers with added honey is good for relieving coughs, bronchial wheezing, and symptoms related to common colds and flu. A mild uterine stimulant, it can aid in cases of scanty menstrual flow, cramping and PMS symptoms. A digestive bitter, can also be effective in relieving pain and inflammation during arthritis flare-ups.
Thanks , good to know about peppermint.
Thank you, lj, I will get some peppermint EO for my headaches.
I pot a small cup with peppermint oil in it on my kitchen counter. Threw in a couple of clothespins to wick the oil up. I haven’t had ants in two years—and this condo was built on a gigantic ant colony! They would invade every summer and make us miserable. Nothing kept them at bay... until the peppermint essential oil.
Had an ant attack in the trailer while camping. I fought them back and put another jar of oil out on that counter too. Ants stopped trying to invade in two hours!
Thank you so much LJ!!!