The Papaya and Peppermint Combination

Therapies for relieving excess conditions

Papaya and Peppermint

‘Combination Tea'

Ø Composition

Papaya fruit                               Wild Yam (American)
Ginger root                                 Dong quai
Peppermint leaf                           Catnip
Fennel seed                                Spearmint leaf

Ø Properties

Carminative
Stimulant
Antispasmodic
Diaphoretic

Ø   General description

Papaya and Peppermint combination is a carminative formula. It is used to enhance the digestive function. The herbs increase the production of digestive fluids and enzymes, increase blood circulation, relieve muscle spasms and promote sweating.

Chinese herbalists would describe this herbal combination as an earth enhancing formula. It also enhances the fire and metal elements while reducing the water and wood elements.

Papaya and Peppermint combination has traditionally been used to treat indigestion, belching, abdominal pains, nausea, cramps, flatulence and difficult urination.

This formula is commonly used in conjunction with protein digestive (HCI) acids, food enzyme supplements, licorice, marshmallow, chamomile, vitamin A and zinc.

·        Imbalances:

Indicating the use of this formula are commonly noted in the stomach acupressure point located approximately two inches below and two inches to the left of the sternum. Imbalances are often noted at the 4:30 position of the left iris and the 7:30 position of the right iris. Use caution in cases of inflammatory skin conditions, high fevers and ulcers.

∞      Individual Components

---Papaya fruit--- contains proteolytic enzymes that enhance protein digestion. It has been used to treat indigestion, flatulence, nausea and belching.

---Ginger root--- contains aromatic compounds that increase the production of digestive fluids and enzymes, lower blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol. It also contains bitter compounds that reduce muscle spasms, increase blood circulation and dilate blood vessels. Ginger is an excellent herbal source of trace minerals especially silicon, magnesium and manganese. It has been used to treat nausea, motion sickness, flatulence, colds, coughs, indigestion, fevers, vomiting, diarrhea, chronic bronchitis and cold hands and feet.

---Peppermint leaf--- contains aromatic compounds that increase the production digestive fluids, relieve muscle spasms, increase blood circulation, reduce pains, promote sweating and are antiseptic. It also contains astringent compounds which shrink inflamed tissues. Peppermint has been used to treat indigestion, flatulence, mouth sores, loss of appetite, muscle cramps, nausea, morning sickness and dysmenorrhea

---Fennel seed--- contains aromatic compounds that stimulate the production of digestive fluids, relieve inflammation, are antiseptic, make one breathe deeply and more often and increase the flow of urine. It has been used to treat indigestion, dyspepsia, anorexia, colic, flatulence, coughs and colds.

---Wild Yam (American)--- contains bitter compounds that promote sweating, relieve muscle cramps and reduce inflammation. It has been used to treat arthritis, menstrual cramps, rheumatism and gastritis.

---Dong quai--- contains aromatic compounds that relieve smooth muscle spasms especially in the uterus, have a sedative effect and increase the production of digestive fluids. It also contains bitter compounds that regulate glycogen production in the liver, reduce pain and inflammation, increase blood flow especially to the heart, lower blood cholesterol, normalize uterine contractions and are antiseptic. Dong quai is an excellent herbal source of iron, magnesium and niacin. It has been used to treat anemia, abdominal pains, dysmenorrhea, amenorrhea, arthritis, coronary heart disease, atherosclerosis, angina pectoris, indigestion and headaches.

---Catnip--- contains aromatic compounds that have a sedative effect, relieve smooth muscle spasms and induce sweating. It has been used to treat coughs, colds, anxiety, colic, fevers, influenza, lung congestion and nausea.

---Spearmint leaf--- contains aromatic compounds that increase the production of digestive fluids and enzymes, relieve smooth muscle spasms, increase blood circulation, promote sweating, relieve pain and are antiseptic. It also contains astringent compounds that shrink inflamed tissues. Spearmint leaf has been used to treat indigestion, morning sickness, nausea, menstrual cramps flatulence, muscle aches, flu and vomiting.

---Licorice root--- contains bitter compounds that reduce inflammation, decrease the thickness and increase the production of mucosal fluids and relieve muscle spasms. In addition, licorice stimulates adrenal function, reduces the urge to cough, is mildly laxative and enhances immune response. It has been used to treat coughs, colds, arthritis, asthma, peptic ulcers, Addison’s disease, dropsy and atherosclerosis.

---Marshmallow root--- contains mucilaginous compounds that decrease the thickness while increasing the production of mucosal fluids, soothe inflamed tissue, heat wounds and increase the flow of urine. It is an excellent herbal source of trace minerals, especially chromium, iron, magnesium and selenium. Marshmallow has been used to treat allergies, gastritis, gastric ulcers, enteritis, coughs, cystis and hay fever.

---Chamomile flower--- contains aromatic compounds that increase the production of digestive fluids, reduce muscle spasms and pains, reduce inflammation and are antiseptic. In addition, these compounds have a sedative effect. Chamomile is one of the best herbal sources of niacin, magnesium and essential fatty acids. It has been used to treat dyspepsia, flatulence, nausea, vomiting, dysmenorrheal, bronchitis, urinary tract infections, insomnia, headaches and menstrual cramps.

---Red Raspberry leaf--- contains astringent compounds that relieve pain and shrink inflamed tissues, especially in the female reproductive system. It also contains bitter compounds that relieve smooth muscle spasms. Red raspberry is an excellent herbal source of manganese. It has been used to treat morning sickness, nausea, dysmenorrheal, false labor, colds, flu and fevers.

---Sage--- contains aromatic compounds that increase the production of digestive fluids, are antiseptic and are powerful antioxidants. It also contains astringent compounds that shrink inflamed tissue and decrease perspiration. Sage has been used to treat dyspepsia, sore throats, night sweats, headaches, colds and influenza.

---Yellow Chrysanthemum flower--- contains aromatic compounds that promote sweating, reduce fevers and inflammation, lower blood pressure and increase coronary circulation, It has been used to treat atherosclerosis, angina pains, hypertension, colds and headaches.

Â ---References--- “Medical Herbalism” The Science and Practice of Herbal Medicine By – David Hoffmann, FNIMH, AHG; ISBN: 0-89281-749-6 Copyright 2003

Â ---References--- “Nutritional Herbology” A Reference Guide to Herbs By – Mark Pedersen; ISBN: 1-885653-07-7 Copyright 2008

Â ---References--- “Prescription for Nutritional Healing” Fourth Edition a practical A to Z reference to drug-free remedies using vitamins, minerals, herbs and food supplements By – Phyllis A. Balch, CNC; ISBN: 1-58333-236-7 Copyright 2006

Ø Recipe: Per teapot full – Equal Parts of – Papaya, Ginger root, Peppermint leaf, Fennel seed, Wild yam (American), Dong quai, Catnip, Spearmint leaf. Steep 3 to 4 minute add honey.

Ø Recipe: Per teapot full – Equal Parts of – Papaya, Ginger root, Peppermint leaf, Fennel seed, Wild yam (American), Dong quai, Catnip, Spearmint leaf and add 1 teaspoon of any one of these herbs [Red Raspberry leaf, Sage, yellow Chrysanthemum]. Steep 3 to 4 minute add honey.

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