Peppermint

THE FAMILY HERBAL SAYS:

Peppermint (Mentha piperita, also Mentha aquatica and M. spicata) is a special herb that acts on the stomach, intestines, and gallbladder. Its active part is the essential oil. Although peppermint isn’t very bitter in flavour, it possesses the power of bitter herbs in so much that it can stimulate the stomach and intestinal functions. For this reason, peppermint is the herb of choice for children and sensitive folk who refuse to take bitter teas or elixirs.

Warm peppermint tea drunk in sips brings rapid relief from cramp-like pains of the stomach and intestines, particularly when they are accompanied by flatulence and foul-smelling, foamy stools. The same is true when diarrhea is present along with the cramps. Last, but not least, a tea made from peppermint leaves promotes the production and of flow of bile, calms the irritable gallbladder, and lessens the pain of an acute gallbladder attack.

Folk with this gallbladder have reported time and again how well bitter-tasting teas work for them. The following blend is a tea that relaxes cramps and can help avoid gallbladder attacks.

Gallstone Tea
6 parts peppermint leaves
4 parts centaury tops
4 parts balm leaves
4 parts fumitory
2 parts Wormwood

Linseed Compress for Gallstone Colic
Linseed compresses in addition to peppermint tea in cases of acute gall-bladder attack can reuce pain. For this purpose, put crushed linseed (about 7 ounces, or 200 grams) in a small cotton bag and hang it in a tightly closed pot of boiling water for about ten minutes. Allow the bag to cool slightly after removing it from the water apply it directly on the skin (as hot as possible) where there is the greatest pain. Then wrap the abdomen with a woollen scarf or cloth to secure the bag. The compress should be allowed to act for about thirty minutes. Its comforting warmth, which penetrates into the depths of the body, has often made painful colic subside in the most astonishing way. These linseed compresses can also provide excellent supportive therapy for liver inflammations and swollen liver.

For inflammations of the gallbladder and bile duct try the following basic tea:

Tea for Gallbladder Inflammation
4 parts centaury tops
4 parts peppermint leaves
4 parts yarrow
4 parts chamomile flowers

Prevention of Gallstones

People whose Gallstones occasionally trouble them or who have already undergone surgery for this condition naturally seek means of preventing the further formation of gallstones. Dandelion has been proved scientifically to combat the formation of new stones and the growth of existing ones as well, even though it has not yet been completely explained how this can happen. Taking fresh dandelion leaves, or dandelion tea made from root and herb, are good for folk suffering gallstone pain. Drinking three cups of tea daily over a period of six to eight weeks twice a year; one of the cups of tea can be replaced, if desired, by dandelion salad.
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