Surprising Health Benefits of Mint
You probably grow some peppermint or lemon mint in your very own backyard. But did you know there are about 500 varieties of mint? Mint is one of the most popular flavours in the world. It is used in a wide range of products, ranging from soups to chocolates, cakes, beverages, candies and much more.
Whether you’re using the sweet or savoury variety, all mints have potential healing benefits. Here are some of them:
It helps curb food cravings.
Just the smell of peppermint can already suppress your appetite! According to a 2011 study reported in the Chicago Tribune, people who were asked to smell peppermint oil every two hours reported not feeling as hungry as people who didn’t get a whiff.
It boosts concentration.
Research by the Wheeling Jesuit University found that smelling peppermint to greater alertness, motivation and even performance. This probably led one middle school in Maryland, US, to order 3,600 peppermint candies for students to enjoy during a series of state-wide tests in 2007.
It eases upset stomach.
Mint is believed to address most types of gut problems, ranging from nausea to bloating, gas, constipation, diarrhoea and menstrual cramp. But studies have shown that mint can be a powerful tool for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) too. For instance, a 2007 Italian study found that IBS symptoms were significantly reduced among 75 per cent of patients who took peppermint oil capsules for a month. Meanwhile, Canadian researchers discovered that peppermint oil can clear up bacterial overgrowth in the small intestines, which is a suspected cause of IBS. According to a 2011 study by Australian researchers, mint appears to "activates an ’anti-pain’ channel in the colon, soothing inflammatory pain in the gastrointestinal tract.
It eases respiratory discomfort and pain.
Menthol, one of the essential compounds in mint, helps clear up nasal congestion and other respiratory discomfort resulting in easier breathing. It also calms inflamed mucous membranes in the sinuses and throat, to thin mucous. What’s more, the same compound has also been shown to relieve nerve pain, making it a good remedy for headaches and shingles. No wonder why it is used in many topical treatments for pain.
It boosts mental health.
Peppermint and spearmint are good at alleviating stress and promoting relaxation, calmness and mental focus. Mint also improves brain function by increasing mental alertness and by improving memory retrieval. This makes peppermint tea a good friend of test-takers and students.
Other Health Benefits
The benefits of mint are wide-ranging. In addition to the above benefits, below are more reasons to make mint a part of your diet!
· HAs antibacterial, antimicrobial and antiseptic properties (making it effective as a skin cleanser agent and a great helper for fighting bacterial infections when applied topically).
· Strengthens the immune system.
· Helps alleviate travel sickness and motion sickness.
· Boosts oral health, relieves toothache and freshens breath.
· Promotes fat burning and improves digestion.
· Improves bile production.
· Eases colic in babies.
· Eases cough and symptoms of cold.
· Eases skin rash, itch and the like.
Making tea is a simple and effective way to reap the benefits of peppermint (or any other mind variety you want). Start with fresh mint leaves which you can easily grow at home or buy from local groceries or farmers market. You can also use dried mint leaves if you want. If you’re seeking health benefits, it’s best to drink mint tea while it’s hot. Sweeten it up by using honey or squeeze lemon juice for an added twist. Enjoy!
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