Magical Mint: 20 Top Health Benefits
Mint is the name representing a group of perennial herbs cultivated in various parts of the world, from the Mediterranean basin where it's believed to have originated to Asia, the U.S., Morocco, Argentina and Europe.[i] Peppermint, spearmint and bergamot mint are just a few renowned species within the genus Mentha.
20 Mint Health Benefits
Let's have a closer look at some of the refreshing science-based benefits of mint to human wellness.
- Alertness -- In a study, smelling peppermint oil while driving led to greater alertness along with reduced levels of frustration, anxiety and fatigue.[ii]
- Allergic rhinitis -- Peppermint may be clinically sound in alleviating the nasal symptoms of allergic rhinitis, including sneezing.[iii]
- Antifungal -- In a study, many natural extracts demonstrated antifungal activity against Candida albicans, yet the strongest antifungal action was seen from peppermint, green tea, henna tree, rose geranium and Persian lime.[iv]
- Colic -- A study concluded that peppermint is at least as effective as the drug simethicone in dealing with infantile colic, a distressing condition among infants for which there's no proven standard treatment.[v]
- Colon cancer -- Extracts from thyme, rosemary, sage, spearmint and peppermint can significantly inhibit the growth of colon cancer cells in humans, exhibiting combination effects on cancer growth.[vi]
- Constipation -- Aromatherapy involving rosemary, lemon and peppermint can relieve constipation in elderly individuals, leading to a higher number of bowel movements, with effects lasting two weeks after treatment.[vii]
- Diabetes -- Spearmint, or aqueous Mentha spicata extract, exhibited an interesting antidiabetic effect in animal models.[viii] Repeated oral administration lowered blood sugar in diabetic rats, comparable to drug (glibenclamide) treatment.
- Indigestion -- A study showed that a combination of peppermint oil and caraway oil in capsule form provided effects similar to medications used against indigestion, helping address stomach pain and other digestive symptoms.[ix]
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) --The menthol in peppermint oil is believed to help alleviate IBS symptoms, thanks to its relaxing effects on the muscles of the digestive tract.[x] A review also found that peppermint oil capsules improved symptoms notably better than placebo capsules.[xi]
- Liver damage -- Spearmint compounds contain important antioxidant potential in protecting liver and erythrocytes against nicotine-induced oxidative damage.[xii]
- Memory and cognition -- A study on 144 young adults revealed that smelling peppermint oil five minutes before an exam produced significant memory improvements.[xiii] Dracocephalum, a member of the mint family, was used by Iranian scientists in a series of placebo-controlled clinical trials on 42 people with early-onset to moderate Alzheimer's, and was found to improve mental state, anxiety and irritability.[xiv]
- Mouth care -- Essential oil mouthwash containing tea tree, peppermint and lemon may reduce bad breath and volatile sulphur compounds among intensive care patients.[xv]
- Nausea -- Among surgical patients, aromatherapy with peppermint, ginger or a combination of both led to a statistically significant decrease in the need for antiemetics for treating postoperative nausea and vomiting.[xvi]
- Neck pain -- Researchers found that an essential oil cream made from marjoram, black pepper, lavender and peppermint can be used to improve neck pain in patients.[xvii]
- Nipple pain -- Peppermint water may alleviate nipple pain and damage associated with breastfeeding.[xviii]
- Osteoarthritis -- Peppermint and rosemary essential oils may benefit osteoarthritis. A nanoemulsion containing the oils reduced related pain by increasing antioxidant capacity and improving the knee joints of animal subjects.[xix]
- Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) -- Spearmint holds promise in treating PCOS by inhibiting testosterone and restoring follicular development in ovarian tissue.[xx]
- Respiratory health -- Wild mint essential oil was found to prevent airway changes induced by histamine and ovalbumin in animal models, relaxing bronchial smooth muscles and suppressing immunological response.[xxi]
- Sleep -- Aromatherapy, lavender and peppermint in a particular study, can help improve sleep quality in cancer patients, a group where this is a common issue.[xxii]
- Skin aging -- Peppermint peel skin treatment may be an effective protocol in treating signs of skin aging, such as discoloration, wrinkles and skin inelasticity.[xxiii]
Discover much more about the wondrous benefits of mint on the GreenMedInfo.com database.
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