Health Benefits of Mint

Mint, the popular herb, has several benefits which include proper digestion and weight loss, relief from nausea, depression, fatigue, and headache. It is used in the treatment of asthma, memory loss, and skin care problems. This well-known mouth and breath freshener is scientifically known as Mentha and has more than two dozen species and hundreds of varieties.

Health Benefits

Most of us are familiar with the refreshing application of mint, but it has far more to offer than that. The health benefits of mint include the following:

Aids in Digestion

Mint is a great appetizer or palate cleanser. It also promotes digestion and soothes the stomach in case of indigestion or inflammation.

The aroma of the herb activates the salivary glands in your mouth as well as the glands which secrete the digestive enzymes, thereby facilitating digestion. These attributes are why mint is extensively used in the culinary arts.

Treats Nausea & Headache

Mint leaves, especially freshly crushed ones, help you deal with nausea and headache. The strong and refreshing aroma of mint is a quick and effective remedy for nausea. Use mint oil or any other product having a mint flavor and your stomach issues will be alleviated. This herb is a naturally soothing substance, so it can alleviate the inflammation and temperature RISE that is often associated with headaches and migraines.

Prevents Respiratory Disorders

The strong aroma of this herb is very effective in clearing up congestion of the nose, throat, bronchi, and lungs, which gives relief from respiratory disorders that often result from asthma and common colds. As mint cools and soothes the throat, nose and other respiratory channels, it also relieves the irritation which causes chronic coughing. This is the main reason why so many balms are based on mint. Unlike the inhalers that are based on aerosols, those with mint as the fundamental component tend to be more effective and eco-friendly as well.

Treats Asthma

Regular use of mint is very beneficial for asthma patients, as it is a good relaxant and relieves congestion. That being said, using too much mint in this way can also irritate the nose and throat.

Aids in Breast Feeding

For many women, breastfeeding is a beautiful part of raising a child, but it can affect your breasts and nipples. Studies have shown that mint oil can reduce the nipple cracks and pain that often accompany breastfeeding.

Reduces Depression & Fatigue

Mint is a natural stimulant and the smell alone can be enough to charge your energy and get your brain functioning at a higher level again. If you are feeling sluggish, anxious, depressed or simply exhausted, mint and its essential oil can help. It can be ingested, applied topically in a salve form or inhaled as a vapor, and all of these techniques can give you a much-needed boost.

Skin Care

While mint oil is a good antiseptic and antipruritic material, the juice obtained from mint is an excellent skin cleanser. It soothes the skin and helps cure infections and itchiness. In addition to being a good way to reduce pimples, it can even relieve some of the symptoms of acne. Its anti-pruritic properties can be used for treating insect bites like those of mosquitoes, honeybees, hornets, wasps, and gnats. The cooling sensation will relieve you from irritation and the constant urge to scratch, and the anti-inflammatory nature of mint will bring down swelling. In that same vein, mint oil is often a basic component of bug repellent products like citronella candles, because the strong aroma is unappealing to most insects.

Prevents Memory Loss

A recent study explored the effects that mint has on alertness, retention, and cognitive function. It found that people who frequently use chewing gum, in which the major active ingredient is mint, had higher levels of memory retention and mental alertness than those who did not. The stimulant qualities of mint, once again, have shown yet another reason to pop that stick of gum in your mouth or chew some leaves when you’re feeling less than brilliant.

Weight Loss

Apart from all the other health benefits of mint, it also can help in your efforts to lose weight in a healthy way. Mint is a stimulant, as we’ve already mentioned, but it also stimulates the digestive enzymes that absorb nutrients from food and consume fat and turn it into usable energy. Therefore, by adding mint to your diet, you are increasing the amount of fat that is being consumed and put to use, rather than being stored and contributing to weight gain.

  

Cures Allergies & Hay Fever

Seasonal allergies and hay fever (also known as rhinitis) affect millions of people around the world. Extracts from mint leaves have been shown to inhibit the release of certain chemicals, which aggravate severe nasal symptoms associated with hay fever and seasonal allergies.

Prevents Cancer

Current research shows that certain enzymes that can be found in mint may help prevent and treat cancer.

Improve Body Immune System

Immune function to prevent the disease into the body. Immunity will increase when a person is exercising regularly and eating foods rich in nutrients. Mint leaves contain vitamin C that can positively impact your immune system. Therefore, do not hesitate to add a mint leaf on a menu of food that you consume.

Itching in the throat

The content of the mint leaves are also very active to cure and relieve itchy throat that causes coughing. This is because there are some very good mint composition for open cavity on the nose.