Impressive Benefits of Mint Leaves
14 Health Benefits of Peppermint
The amazing health benefits of mint include improvements in digestive function, weight loss, nausea, depression, fatigue, headaches, and more. It is also used in the treatment of asthma, memory loss, and skin care problems.
What is Mint?
Peppermint (Mentha) is a popular herbal medicine and a well-known mouth freshener that has been used for hundreds of years as a medicinal ingredient. It has more than 24 varieties and hundreds of varieties, including peppermint and spearmint.
It can be used in many culinary preparations in fresh or dried form. Also, there are many products available on the market, with a distinct mint flavor. Toothpaste, shaving gel, things like gum, breath freshener, candy, tea, conditioner, oil and inhaler mint flavor are the most popular.
Fresh-flavored mint extract is widely used in pairing cakes, cookies, nutritional supplements, sugar-free products, and energy bars. Mint perfume oil is used in ice cream and chocolate. Peppermint syrup is used in alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.
Health Benefits of Mint Leaves
Most of us are familiar with the refreshing application of mint, but it has to offer more than that. Health benefits include:
Asthma Treatment
Regular use of this herb is very beneficial for asthmatics. It is a good relaxant for asthma sufferers and relieves congestion. However, excessive use can irritate the nose and throat.
1. Allergy and hay Fever Treatment
Seasonal allergies and hay fever (also known as rhinitis) affect millions of people worldwide. Mint leaf extract has been shown to inhibit the release of certain chemicals that exacerbate severe rhinitis symptoms associated with pollen allergies and seasonal allergies.
2. Help with Digestion
Mint is a great appetizer or palate cleanser. The aroma of herbs promotes digestion by activating the salivary glands in the mouth and the glands that secrete digestive enzymes. It also calms the stomach in case of indigestion or inflammation. It is also a powerful treatment for relieving symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
A 2013 study of menthol in peppermint showed its ability to relieve diarrhea. Also, if you’re traveling long distances by plane or boat, menthol oil from mint candy can help relieve the motion sickness associated with nausea.
3. Lactation Support
For many women, breastfeeding is a beautiful part of raising a child, but it can affect the breasts and nipples. A study published in the International Journal of Breastfeeding in 2007 found that mint oil may help reduce nipple cracks and pain that accompany breastfeeding.
4. Prevention of Respiratory Diseases
Ron Eckle from the University of Wales, England, led by a research professor claimed that menthol, present in mint, helps relieve stuffy nose. The strong scent of this herb is also very effective in clearing congestion in the throat, bronchi and lungs, relieving respiratory problems that are common with asthma and colds.
It cools and soothes the throat, nose, and other respiratory pathways, while relieving irritations that cause chronic coughing. This is the main reason many balsams are mint-based. Unlike inhalers based on aerosols, inhalers based on mint tend to be more effective and eco-friendly.
5. Skin Care
While mint oil is a good antiseptic and antibacterial, the juice obtained from mint is an excellent skin cleanser. It soothes the skin and helps treat infections and itching. Not only is it a great way to reduce acne, it can also relieve some of the symptoms of acne.
It can be used when bitten by insects such as mosquitoes, bees, hornets, wasps and scabies.
The cooling sensation frees the skin from irritation and constantly irritates abrasions, and the anti-inflammatory properties of mint reduce swelling. In that same vein, the oil is often a basic ingredient in repellent products such as citronel candles. This is because strong scents do not appeal to most insects.
6. Weight Loss
Peppermint helps you lose weight in a healthy way. In a study published in 2003, it stimulates digestive enzymes that absorb nutrients, and helps with food and fat consumption.
Therefore, adding it to your diet increases the amount of fat consumed and used instead of contributing to and storing weight gain.
7. Prevent Memory Loss
The study was conducted by Dr. AP Allen and Dr. AP Smith from Cardiff University on their effects on vigilance and cognition. Those who frequently used mint gum as the main ingredient had higher memory and mental alertness than those who did not.
8. Oral Treatment
Research shows that mint has bactericidal properties and promotes breathing quickly. Supports oral health by inhibiting the growth of harmful bacteria in the mouth and cleaning the tongue and teeth. This is why the herb rubs directly on your teeth and gums to refresh your mouth and eliminate dangerous forms of growth.
In modern times, for the same reason, it is one of the most common elements in toothpaste, mouthwash and other dental hygiene products. Of course, the easiest way to achieve these results is to chew the leaves.
9. Nausea Treatment
Mint leaves, especially freshly crushed leaves, help treat nausea and headaches. The strong, refreshing aroma of mint is a quick and effective remedy for nausea. Using mint oil or other products with a mint flavor will help relieve stomach problems. In fact, many people always store menthol oil or peppermint flavored products to avoid nausea.
10. Relieve Headaches.
An issue published by the Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics mentioned that it helps relieve headaches. Balms with mint base or basic mint oil, rubbed on the forehead and nose, gives prompt relief in case of headache.
Because this herb is a natural calming agent, it can relieve inflammation and elevated body temperature associated with headaches and migraines.
11. Reduces Depression and Fatigue
It is a natural stimulant and the smell alone can recharge your energy and get your brain to work at higher levels again. In a study conducted in 2014, including mint in the diet is recommended. If you are anxious or depressed, mint essential oil can help.
It can be ingested, applied topically in the form of an ointment, or inhaled as a vapor, all of these techniques can give you the much needed improvement. A popular easy way to achieve great results is to put a few drops of mint essential oil or menthol oil on your pillow at night while you sleep.
12. Improvement of Infertility
There are many opinions about the role of mint in treating this condition. Some people claim that long-term use of menthol causes infertility, which interferes with egg production and reduces fertility. This is due to the antiseptic and insecticidal properties of the herb, which helps with many health problems.
Other studies have found that men who smoke menthol cigarettes are more likely to suffer from erectile dysfunction than those who smoke regular cigarettes. But I’m not sure if it has anything to do with it.
Another group of researchers suggests that it could actually be used to treat infertility in women. That said, much research remains to be done on the effects of mint on both male sexual impotence and female infertility.
13. Cancer Prevention
Current research shows that certain enzymes that can be found in peppermint may help prevent and treat cancer.
14. Other Interests
Drinks and foods containing this herb cool the body in summer and are often included in summer cocktails for a refreshing taste. It is also a good relaxant.
One of the unique properties of herbs, contrary to traditional cooling and soothing effects, is that when consumed during fever, it causes perspiration, which dissipates heat and speeds up recovery. Mint juice can also be applied to heal and soothe burns.
