Medicinal Plants

Amazing Health Benefits of Mint Leaves

Oct 1, 2018
Amazing Health Benefits of Mint Leaves

Mint, scientifically known as menthe, is a popular herb that its name refers to a group of around 15 to 20 plant species, including peppermint and spearmint. These plants are particularly known for the cooling sensation and freshening they impart. They can be used fresh or dried in many foods and beverages, ranging from teas and alcoholic drinks to sauces, salads and desserts. they also are widely used in cosmetic products such as creams, in aromatherapy and in naturally made insecticides.

This article takes a closer look at the amazing health benefits of mint.

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

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

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

3. Aid in Digestion
Mint is a great appetizer or a palate cleanser. The aroma of the herb helps activate the salivary glands in your mouth as well as the glands which secrete the digestive enzymes, thereby facilitating digestion. It also soothes the stomach in case of indigestion or inflammation. It is a potent remedy for relieving the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

A study conducted in 2013 reveals that the menthol present in mint has the ability to relieve diarrhea. Also, if you are someone who travels long distances via plane or boat, menthol oil derived from mint candy can be very soothing for nausea and related motion sickness.

4. Aid in Breast Feeding
For many women, breastfeeding is a beautiful part of raising a child, but it can affect the breasts and nipples. A research study published in the International Breastfeeding Journal in 2007 has shown that mint oil helps reduce the nipple cracks and pain that often accompany breastfeeding.

5. Prevent Respiratory Disorders
Research led by Prof. Ron Eccles at the University of Wales, UK, states that menthol, present in mint, helps in relieving nasal congestion. The strong aroma of this herb is also very effective in clearing up congestion of the throat, bronchi, and lungs, which gives relief from respiratory disorders that often result from asthma and common colds.

As it 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.

6. 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 bug and 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 the swelling. In that same vein, its oil is often a basic component of bug repellents like citronella candles, because the strong aroma is unappealing to most insects.

7. Weight Loss
Mint leaves help in your efforts to lose weight in a healthy way. A study published in 2003 suggests that it helps stimulate the digestive enzymes that absorb nutrients from food and consume fat and turn it into usable energy. Therefore, by adding it 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.

8. Prevent Memory Loss
A study was conducted by Dr. A. P. Allen and Dr. A. P. Smith from Cardiff University, on the effect of chewing gum on stress, alertness, and cognition. It found that people who frequently used 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 this herb, once again, have shown yet another reason to pop that stick of gum in your mouth or chew some leaves when you're feeling anything less than brilliant.

9. Oral Care
According to research studies mint has germicidal qualities and it quickly freshens breath. It also adds to oral health by inhibiting harmful bacterial growth inside the mouth and by cleaning the tongue and teeth. This is why the herb would often be rubbed directly on the teeth and gums to refresh the mouth and eliminate dangerous forms of growth.

In modern times, for the same reason, menthol is one of the most common elements in toothpaste, mouthwashes, and other dental hygiene products. Of course, the easiest way to get these results is to simply chew on the leaves.

10. Treat Nausea
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. In fact, many people keep menthol oil or mint-flavored products on hand to avoid nausea.

11. Relieve Headaches
An issue released by the Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics mentions that using mint helps in relieving headaches. Balms with a mint base or basic mint oil, when rubbed on the forehead and nose, give quick relief in case of a headache. This herb is a naturally soothing substance, so it can alleviate the inflammation and temperature rise that is often associated with headaches and migraines.

12. Reduce 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. A research done in 2014 states that including mint in your diet is a great option 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. A popular way to get good results in an easy manner is to put a few drops of mint essential oil or menthol oil on your pillow at night and let it work on your body and mind while you sleep.

You can even experiment with using a eucalyptus mint body wash as it known to cool and invigorate the body.

13. Improve Sterility
There are mixed opinions regarding the role of mint in treating this condition. Some argue that prolonged use of menthol may cause sterility, reducing a woman's ability to conceive by interfering with the production of ova and killing these gametes. This is due to the germicidal and insecticidal properties of the herb, which are beneficial for many health concerns.

Other research has claimed that men who smoke menthol cigarettes are more likely to suffer from impotence than those who smoke normal cigarettes. It is not certain whether this is due to the tobacco alone or if the mentholated aspect has anything to do with it.

Another group of researchers suggests that it may actually be used to treat sterility in females. Suffice to say, a great deal of research must be done on the effects of mint in both male impotency and female sterility.

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

Other Benefits

Drinks and foods containing this herb cool you off in the summer and it is often included in summer cocktails for a refreshing burst of flavor. It is also a good relaxant.

One peculiar property of the herb that seems quite contrary to its traditional cooling and soothing effects is that it induces sweating if consumed during fever, thereby breaking the fever and speeding the rate of recovery. Mint juice can also be applied to heal and soothe burns.

It is also beneficial in the treatment of rheumatism. Furthermore, the herb is also said to improve the activity of the brain, although legitimate and consistent research on its neurological impact is incomplete.

Nutrition
Two tablespoons of fresh peppermint provides: 

2 calories

0.12 grams of protein

0.48 grams carbohydrates

0.03 grams of fat

0.30 grams of fiber

Mint contains small amounts of potassium, magnesium, calcium, phosphorus, vitamin C, iron and vitamin A.3