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Show PEPPERMINT. MEDICAL USE. Peppermint is principally used as a carminative and antispas« modic. The distilled water is a domestic remedy for flatulent colic, and the essential oil is often given with advantage, in doses of a few drops, in cramps of the stomach. PREPARATIONS. Prerrermint Water. (AquaDistillata Menthe Piperite.) Take of the herb of peppermint, dried, a pound and a half; water, as muchasis sufficient to prevent burning: Distil off a gallon. This has been known to allay sickness when nothing else would succeed, and is used in flatulent colics. A wine-glass may be taken, and often repeated. It is especially ordered with opening medicines, to prevent the gripings that would otherwise accompany them. Spirit of Peppermint. PENNYROYAL MINT. MENTHA PULEGIUM. (Spiritas Menthz Piperite.) Take of the herb of peppermint, dried, a pound anda half ; proof spirit, a gallon ; water, sufficient to prevent burning : Distil off a gallon. ‘This is used. for the same purposes as the last, but in a smaller dose. Note. The proof spirit usually met with in the shopsis very rarely pure, or free fromall unpleasant flavour, which, though concealed by means of certain additions, plainly discoversitself when employed for the preparation of distilled spirits. This nauseous flavour does not begin to arise till after the alcohol has come over, whichis the very time that the virtues of the ingredients begin also to arise most plentifully ; and hence the Jiquor receives an ungrateful taint. ‘To this cause principally is owing the general complaint, that the cordials of the apothecary are less agreeable than those of the same kind prepared by the distiller ; the latter being extremely curious in rectifying and purifying the spirits, which he uses for what he cails fine goods, from all unpleasant flavour. O1x oF Peppermint. (Oleum Volatile Menthe Piperitz.) This is made like the other essential oils, and is frequently mixed with water, and this is passed off for the true distilled peppermint water; but it is more pungent and heating, and has less of the virtues of the plant. . Class XIV. Didynamia. Order I. Gymnospermia Jacinta broader the ; four-cleft subequal, Corolla’ Essent. Gen, Caar, emarginate: Stamens erect, distant. SPEC. CHAR. Flowers verticillate: Leaves ovate, obtuse, subcrenate: Stem rather smooth, repent. EEE DESCRIPTION. Tins plant rises about afoot. The leaves are ovate, obtuse, of a bright green, and stand uponshort footstalks at the joints of the stem. Flowers in whorls at the joints, of a pale purple. HISTORY, This is also perennial, and a native of Britain. It flowers in September. In its sensible qualities, it is warm, pungent, and aromatic, somewhat similar to spearmint, but less agreeable. MEDICAL VIRTUE. This is seldom ordered by the faculty, but is used as a of the popular remedy with much confidence in obstructions courses, or whenthese are attended with pain or hysteria. The officinal preparations are the same as the last; a simple distilled water, a spirit, and an essential oil. |