Magic mint: 20 health benefits

by GreenMedInfo Research Group

Here are 20 health benefits you can expect from spearmint in all its wonderful forms, from spearmint to spearmint to catnip.

Mint is very popular for the cooling sensation it brings to the palate. But more than just being a flexible component in herbal teasauces, dips, desserts, and delicious drinks, and it’s also a rich source of health benefits.

Mint is the name that represents a group of perennial herbs grown in different parts of the world, from the Mediterranean Basin where it is believed to have originated in Asia, the United States, Morocco, Argentina and Europe.^[i] MintPeppermint, spearmint, and bergamot are just a few well-known species within the genus of mint.

20 health benefits of mint

Let’s take a closer look at some of the refreshing scientific benefits of mint for human health.

vigilance – In one study, smelling peppermint oil while driving increased alertness along with lower levels of frustration, anxiety, and fatigue.^[ii]
allergic rhinitis Peppermint may be clinically useful in relieving symptoms of allergic rhinitis in the nose, including sneezing.^[iii]
antifungal – In one study, several natural extracts showed antifungal activity against Candida albicans, but the strongest antifungal effect was observed from mint, green tea, henna, geranium and Persian lime.^[iv]
colic A study concluded that peppermint is at least as effective as simethicone in dealing with infant colic, a troubling condition among infants for which there is no proven standard treatment.^[v]
Colon Cancer Extracts of thyme, rosemary, sage, peppermint and peppermint can significantly inhibit the growth of colon cancer cells in humans, showing compounding effects on cancer growth.^[vi]
Constipation Aromatherapy containing rosemary, lemon, and mint can relieve constipation in the elderly, leading to an increased number of bowel movements, with effects lasting two weeks after treatment.^[vii]
diabetes Peppermint, or water mint extract, has shown an interesting antidiabetic effect in animal models.^[viii] Repeated oral administration lowered blood sugar in diabetic mice, similar to treatment with the drug (glibenclamide).
Indigestion A study showed that a mixture of peppermint oil and caraway oil in capsule form has similar effects to medicines used against indigestion, helping to treat stomach pain and other digestive symptoms.^[ix]
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) The menthol in peppermint oil is believed to help relieve IBS symptoms, thanks to its relaxing effect on the muscles of the digestive system.^[x]A review also found that peppermint oil capsules improved symptoms significantly better than placebo capsules.^[xi]
liver damage تلف Mint compounds contain antioxidants that are important in protecting the liver and red blood cells from oxidative damage caused by nicotine.^[xii]
memory and cognition A study of 144 young men revealed that smelling peppermint oil five minutes before the test significantly improved memory.^[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 to moderate Alzheimer’s disease and was found to improve mental status, anxiety, and irritability.^[xiv]
oral care – An essential oil mouthwash containing tea tree, peppermint, and lemon may reduce bad breath and volatile sulfur compounds among intensive care patients.^[xv]
nausea Among surgery patients, aromatherapy with mint, ginger, or a combination of the two resulted in a statistically significant reduction in the need for antiemetics to treat postoperative nausea and vomiting.^[xvi]
neck pain Researchers have found that an essential oil cream made from marjoram, black pepper, lavender and peppermint can be used to relieve neck pain in patients.^[xvii]
nipple pain Peppermint water may relieve nipple pain and damages associated with breastfeeding.^[xviii]
in the spine – Mint and rosemary essential oils It may help arthritis. The oil-based nano-emulsion reduces associated pain by increasing antioxidant capacity and improving knee joints in animals.^[xix]
polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)polycystic ovary syndrome) Peppermint shows promise in treating PCOS by inhibiting testosterone and restoring follicle growth in ovarian tissue.^[xx]
respiratory health Catnip essential oil has been found to prevent histamine and albumin-induced airway changes in animal models, relax bronchial smooth muscle and inhibit the immune response.^[xxi]
asleep Aromatherapy, lavender, and peppermint in one particular study could help improve sleep quality in cancer patients, a group that considers this a common problem.^[xxii]
skin aging Peppermint peel treatment may be an effective protocol in treating signs of skin aging, such as discoloration, wrinkles and skin inelasticity.^[xxiii]

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Find out more about Amazing benefits of mint In the GreenMedInfo.com database.

*Warning: Always consult your herbalist or healthcare practitioner when using both natural and pharmaceutical grade medicines for any diagnosed condition. This article is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be used as medical advice.

references

[i] Salehi B et al “Sex plants” mintFrom farm to food factory plants (Basel). 2018 September; 7 (3): 70. Posted on Epub 2018 Sep 4th.

[ii] Raudenbush B et al Effects of mint and cinnamon odor management on driving simulation, mood and workload. N Am J Psychol. 2009; 11 (2): 245–256.

[iii] Inoue T and others Effects of peppermint (Mentha piperita L.) extracts on experimental allergic rhinitis in rats. Biol Farm Bowl. 2001 Jan; 24 (1): 92-5.

[iv] Hsu H et al Herbal extracts with antifungal efficacy against Candida albicans: a systematic review. Mini Reef Med Chem. 2020 June 27. Epub 2020 Jun 27.

[v] Elvis J et al The efficacy of catnip in the treatment of infant colic: a cross-sectional study. Evidence-Based Supplement Alternate Med. 2012; 2012: 981352. Epub 2012 Jul 12.

[vi] Yi W et al The antitumor activity of five culinary and medicinal herbs grown under global warming conditions and their compound effects. J Sci Food Agric. 2011 Aug 15; 91 (10): 1849-54. Epub 2011 Mar 30.

[vii] Myung Ik and others Effect of aromatherapy massage in relieving constipation in the elderly. Taihan Kanho Hakho Chi. 2005 Feb; 35 (1): 56-64.

[viii] Farid O et al “Antidiabetic effect of peppermint in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats” Objectives of Endocr Metab Immunological Disord Drug. 2018 May 16. Epub 2018 May 16.

[ix] Madisch A et al “Treatment of functional dyspepsia with fixed peppermint oil with a caraway oil blend preparation compared to cisapride. A double-blind, double-blind, controlled, crossover equivalency study.” drug research. 1999 Nov; 49 (11): 925-32.

[x] Hills JM et al Mechanism of action of peppermint oil on gastrointestinal smooth muscle. Electrophysiological analysis of patch clamps and the pharmacology of isolated tissues in rabbits and guinea pigs. Gastrointestinal Diseases. 1991 Jul; 101 (1): 55-65.

[xi] Khanna R et al Peppermint oil for the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Clin Gastroenterol. 2014 Jul; 48 (6): 505–12.

[xii] Saad A et al Protective effects of catnip against nicotine-induced toxicity in liver and erythrocytes of Wistar rats. Able Physiol Nutr Tired. 2018 January; 43 (1): 77-83. Epub 2017 Sep 11.

[xiii] Moss M et al Modifying cognitive performance and mood with the scent of mint and ylang-ylang. Int J Neurosci. 2008 Jan; 118 (1): 59-77.

[xiv] Pravda.ru https://english.pravda.ru/science/136741-herbal_medicine_alzheimers/

[xv] Myung Haeing and others Reduction of bad breath and volatile sulfur compounds in intensive care patients using an essential oil mouthwash. J Nutr. 2002 Apr; 132 (4): 703-7.

[xvi] Ferrington M et al “Essential oils to reduce nausea and vomiting after surgery” Norse Brianist. 2019 May 27. Epub 2019 May 27.

[xvii] Ming-Chiu O et al Efficacy of essential oils for neck pain patients: a randomized controlled study. J Alternate Supplement Med. 2014 Oct; 20 (10): 771-9. Epub 2014 Sep 5.

[xviii] Milli M et al Effect of peppermint water on the prevention of nipple fissures in breast-feeding women: a randomized controlled trial. Int Breastfeeding J. 2007; 2: 7. Epub 2007 Apr 19.

[xix] Muhammedfar M et al “The anti-osteoporotic potential of peppermint and rosemary essential oils in nanoemulsion form: behavioral, biochemical and histopathological evidence”. BMC Med Ther Supplement. 2021 Feb 9; 21 (1): 57. Epub 2021 Feb 9.

[xx] Ataabadi M et al “Role of (Peppermint) essential oil in the treatment of hormonal disturbances and reverse follicle formation in polycystic ovary syndrome in a rat model” Adv Farm Pool. 2017 Dec; 7 (4): 651–654. Epub 2017 Dec 31.

[xxi] Sharma S et al “Peppermint arvensis essential oil limits airway changes induced by histamine and ovalbumin in experimental animals” Nat Broad Race. 2017 Apr 7:1-5. Epub 2017 Apr 7.

[xxii] Hamzeh S et al Effects of aromatherapy with lavender and peppermint essential oils on sleep quality of cancer patients: a randomized controlled trial. Evidence-Based Supplement Alternate Med. 2020; 2020: 7480204. Epub 2020 Mar 25.

[xxiii] Scarano A. et al Evaluation of the efficacy and safety of fine-peeling peppermint peel (PMP) for aging skin. J Biol Regul Homeost Agents. 2019 November – December; 33 (6 Supplement.2): 93–101.

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disclaimer: This article is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The opinions expressed here do not necessarily reflect the opinions of GreenMedInfo or its employees.

Source: GreenMedInfo

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