Mentha

Related entry: Mentha viridis under diuretics

The Mentha Piperita and M. Viridis, are decidedly diaphoretic. The Spearmint is to be preferred to the Peppermint, it being more energetic and certain in its action, and generally more acceptable to the stomach. The warm infusion should be taken liberally, the patient at the same time keeping quiet and warmly covered up in bed. In the incipient stages of the milder forms of fever, and other diseases, especially if accompanied with nausea and vomiting, or a morbidly irritable state of the stomach, a strong infusion of the mint will be found an appropriate and useful diaphoretic. In flatulence, colic, spasm of the stomach and bowels, etc., it is an excellent stimulant and carminative.

Monarda.

Dose.—Of an infusion of one ounce to a pint of boiling water, one to six ounces.

The Monarda Punctata, and other species of Horsemint, possess highly excitant, together with very energetic diaphoretic properties. The warm infusion of either of the medicinal species of the Monarda, if taken freely, and while the patient is warmly covered in bed, rarely fails to induce copious perspiration. Owing to its highly excitant action it is more especially applicable to torpid states of the system, with diminished action of the various secreting organs, but more especially the skin and kidneys. An infusion seldom fails to act promptly upon these emunctories, and is also useful in flatulence, flatulent colic, spasm of the bowels, nausea, etc.

Satureja.

The Satureja Hortensis, or Summer Savory, like the sage, is an excitant diaphoretic, if used in the form of warm infusion. It is more exciting than the latter article, but employed in pretty much the same cases and in the same way. In the early stages of febrile and inflammatory diseases, colds, pulmonary catarrhs, etc., the warm infusion, aided by other suitable means, is capable of producing free sweating, and often effectually breaking up the attack. It is but little used.

Cunila.

The Cunila Mariana, or Dittany, is a mild diaphoretic and excitant. It is but little used, perhaps never in regular practice; but in domestic practice it is employed in colds and slight affections, with a view to the induction of diaphoresis, for which purpose it corresponds with the balm, sage, hyssop, etc.

Rosmarinus.

The Rosmarinus Officinalis, or Rosemary, is described uuder the classes of Emmenagogues and Stimulants, and requires but a passing notice in this place. It is a stimulating diaphoretic, adapted to the fulfillment of this indication in colds, and mild febrile attacks. It is similar to the dittany, hyssop, sage and thyme, and used in the same cases.

Salvia.

A strong infusion of the Sage acts beneficially as a diaphoretic in simple forms of disease, as colds and mild fevers, when but little medicine, and that not of an energetic character, is needed. The warm infusion, aided by other appropriate measures, acts as a gentle diaphoretic, very materially increasing the cutaneous transpiration; it also proves serviceable as a diluent.

Hyssopus.

Hyssop, used freely in the form of warm infusion, proves highly beneficial as a remedy in the incipient stages of those diseases arising from the influence of cold acting upon the system when in a state of perspiration, and arresting that function. In the simpler forms of disease this agent will cause a determination to the surface, relieve internal congestions, and if assisted by other appropriate measures, will produce free perspiration.

Thymus.

Thyme is another of the aromatic stimulants that is often used in warm infusion to promote the perspiratory process. It is applicable to most cases in which the hyssop, satureja, sage, etc., are used, and may be exhibited in the same manner.

The American Eclectic Materia Medica and Therapeutics, 1898, was written by John M. Scudder, M.D.