Field mint is one of the mint species. Its healing powers are really worth mentioning, even if not as well known as peppermint.
- Scientific name: Mentha arvensis
- Plant family: Mint family (Lamiaceae)
- Popular names: corn mint, field mint, garden mint
- Occurrence: almost worldwide
- Indigestion
- Respiratory diseases
- Myalgia ( muscle pain )
- Skin inflammation
- Menstrual cramps
- Headache, migraine
- cramps
- Circulatory problems
- fatigue
- Plant parts used: leaves
- Ingredients: essential oil (menthol), tannins, flavonoids
Healing effect
Field mint has a pain-relieving, antispasmodic, carminative (exfoliating), cholagog(cholagogue), calming, blood circulation-promoting, antibacterial, antiviral, itching-relieving, and disinfecting effect.
use
In herbal medicine, field mint is used both internally and externally. As a tea, it is mainly used for digestive problems such as gas or stomach upset. The contained menthol kills bacteria such as gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus and gram-negative Escherichia coli. Women benefit from the antispasmodic and analgesic effects during menstruation.
Another common form of application is the essential oil of mint. This is for external use and for inhalation. If you feel sick, mint leaves can be chewed.
Making tea
One tablespoon (1.5 grams) of the dried leaves is brewed with 250 milliliters of boiling water and strained after five to ten minutes. This tea can be drunk three to four cups a day. The tea is also used to inhale for respiratory diseases and as a pad for skin irritations.
Tea mixture for flatulence
To do this, have mint leaves, fennel seeds, and caraway seeds mixed in equal parts in a herb shop or pharmacy. The seeds should be nudged a little so that the essential oils can develop. A teaspoon full of this mixture is scalded with a quarter of a liter of boiling water and strained after a maximum of ten minutes. The tea is most effective after meals, drunk in small sips.
Tea mixture for menstrual pain
As already mentioned, the field mint is antispasmodic and analgesic. Mix the field mint leaves, yarrow, and lady's mantle in equal parts. For this, too, a teaspoon full of 250 milliliters of boiling water is brewed. The brewing time is seven to eight minutes. Three cups a day are recommended. It is best to start two to three days before menstruation begins.
Volatile oil
The essential oil of the field mint is obtained from the flowering herb by means of steam distillation. The Japanese medicinal plant oil is known for this. The field mint provides the main part. The essential oil, if not mixed with carrier oil or water, is always used selectively. When buying the oil, you should definitely pay attention to purity and organic quality.
Effect and application of the essential oil
Field mint essential oil is intended for external use, inhalation and vaporization. Internal use is to be avoided.
Mentha arvensis oil is a strong, earthy but refreshing oil and belongs to the “top note”. The oil has a clarifying and cleansing effect. It has a cooling and pain-relieving effect. A fresh breeze fills the room when the oil in the aroma lamp evaporates. Two drops are absolutely sufficient for this. The steaming of the room should not take longer than two hours at a time.
If you have to concentrate and are exhausted and powerless, you should try this oil - ideally in the room fragrance. Putting a drop on a handkerchief also helps on the go. However, this is not suitable for long-term use.
The cooling effect of the mint
When the essential oil of the field mint hits the skin, it is perceived as quite cool, although it actually has a blood circulation-promoting effect. The reason for this is that cold sensory cells are stimulated by the menthol. Therefore, caution is advised, especially when using the oil in connection with the bathing water. The water appears much cooler than it actually is.
For headaches and migraines
The corn mint oil is effective for headaches and migraines. For this purpose, the temple or neck is massaged with a drop. This oil is very helpful in times of colds. A drop is dripped onto a handkerchief and sniffed over and over again. This makes breathing easier.
For tension and for better blood circulation
For muscular tension and for better blood circulation, five drops are mixed with 50 ml of base oil. This serves as a massage oil. Cold-pressed almond oil, sesame oil or jojoba oil, for example, are recommended as base oil. As already described, the oil first has a cooling effect, then the blood circulation-promoting effect sets in.
With circulatory problems
The essential oil of mint can help with minor circulatory problems as a "smelling oil" in the handbag.
For oral hygiene
For a fresh feeling in the mouth, a mouthwash is made from three drops of oil and a large glass of water (approx. 250 milliliters). This refreshes and disinfects.
Into the bathwater
An aromatic bath enriched with essential oil of field mint refreshes relaxes and at the same time wakes you up. For the bath, a maximum of three to four drops of the oil is mixed with a tablespoon of honey or half a cup of cream and then added to the bathwater (honey or cream serve as an emulsifier).
Caution: Due to the mint oil, the water appears subjectively colder than it really is.
Field mint can also be mixed with other essential oils, for example, two drops of mint oil with two drops of lavender. This would increase the muscle relaxing effect. Or, to stimulate the mind, two drops of field mint and two drops of lemon, orange, or grapefruit.
If there is a fever in the calf wrap
You can add two drops of corn mint oil to the water for the leg compresses if you have a fever. This is very pleasant and supports the effect of the leg wrap.
For inhalation
Inhaling is a simple, effective home remedy for coughs and runny nose. Two drops of the oil are added to a quantity of two liters of water and stirred into the water by hand. Caution: Please keep your eyes closed as the oil can irritate them. If you are uncomfortable with inhaling the oil, you should stop the process immediately.
As a compress
Compresses with corn mint oil help relieve back pain, swelling, and itching. To do this, two drops are mixed with 250 milliliters of water, and depending on the size, a small cotton cloth, handkerchief or compress is moistened with it.
Mixture with other essential oils
Field mint essential oil mixes well with other essential oils such as lemon, grapefruit, bergamot, lavender, cedar, palmarosa, myrtle, and frankincense.
Other applications - beauty tips
Field mint helps with dull and dull hair. Simply add a drop to the shampoo when washing your hair. This ensures beautiful hair, smells good, and at the same time refreshes the mind - especially helpful in the morning.
Field mint is also suitable for the production of facial toner. Distilled water or rose water is mixed with essential oil (one drop per 50 milliliters) and filled into a spray bottle. This has a refreshing and antibacterial effect. But be careful - not everyone can tolerate this oil.
In the kitchen
The leaves can be used raw or chopped up in the kitchen. For example as a seasoning in salads, in vegetables, or green smoothies.
Caution: The normal amount of seasoning should not be exceeded. Field mint is poisonous in high doses.
Allergy test
Anyone who uses essential oils should do an allergy test beforehand. It tests twice the concentration of the oil that you want to use. The maximum dose maybe a three percent concentration. The test is carried out on the fine, thin skin in the crook of the elbow. For example, for a one percent solution, one drop of the essential oil is mixed with one teaspoon of carrier oil. Gently rub a few drops of the desired solution into the skin. After half an hour, you might experience a reaction such as redness, swelling, or itching. If so, field mint essential oil is not for you. Late reactions after 48 hours are also possible.
General
The field mint prefers moist, nutrient-rich areas such as near graves, swamp meadows, or wet places on wasteland. It grows best on moist and wet, nitrogenous, humus-clayey, or sandy-loamy soils. The field mint usually reaches a maximum height of 35 centimeters. She rarely grows to a height of 60 centimeters. It can multiply through subterranean runners.
The leaves of the plant can be eaten raw. If you want to dry them, tie them into bouquets and hang them upside down in a dark place.
Side effects and contraindications
For babies and toddlers, tea and essential oil are absolutely contraindicated. Pregnant women should also avoid both, as the mint could stimulate the uterus. Breastfeeding women also belong to the group for which neither is suitable. Field mint can reduce the flow of milk - so more suitable when it comes to weaning.
In general, caution should be exercised when applying the field mint oil externally. Allergic skin reactions are possible. Field mint, as tea and oil, is also contraindicated during homeopathic treatment, as it could reduce the success of the therapy.
Field mint is not an herb for the evening as it stimulates the mind and is refreshing. This may lead to problems falling asleep.
As already described, the mint has a cholagogue effect. Therefore, it should not be used on people with gallstones, gallbladder infections, blockage of the biliary tract, or liver damage. For insensitive people, the mint can cause stomach pain or heartburn.
Summary
Even if the field mint is “only” an herb, it is a medicinal herb, a tea drug. And this should also be used as such. When using it like tea, make sure that it is never drunk daily for more than six to eight weeks without interruption. Then a break of a few weeks is necessary. Caution should also be exercised when using the essential oil. The principle "less is more" applies here.
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