Peppermint – for digestion
Mentha x Piperitais
π Studies indicate that peppermint relaxes the digestive system and ease pain. It prevents smooth muscles from contracting, which helps to relieve spasms in the gut.
π A review of 14 clinical trials in nearly 2,000 children, peppermint reduced the frequency, length and severity of abdominal pain.
π For horses, peppermint may be added to feed to help fussy eaters.
πIt is useful for easing flatulence and bloating as well as relaxing gastrointestinal spasms.
πThe volatile oil in peppermint has a carminative action, helping to relax sphincters and the smooth muscles of the digestive system. It also helps to release intestinal gas, tone mucous membrane surfaces and increase peristalsis.
π The oil has a cooling, soothing and anesthetic effect on the smooth muscles of the stomach and intestines, which makes it one of the key herbs to choose when dealing with horses prone to colic, gastric or duodenal ulceration, smooth muscle spasm, trapped gas or digestive cramping.
π Peppermint contains a bitter quality that increases bile secretion and helps stimulate the appetite.
π It also contains tannins, which can help with horses who have loose droppings or bouts of diarrhea.
π Peppermint is easy to grow for your horses.