A favorite herbal medicine of the ancients, peppermint leaves have been found in Egyptian pyramids dating back to 1,000 BC. Modern scientific investigations have now confirmed that this remarkable plant has over a dozen healing properties.
What’s so sensational about this herb is that once you put a fresh leaf in your mouth it will leave a refreshing aftertaste, for a long time. This is one of the reasons why it is used in products like toothpaste, chewing gums, mouthwash and breath fresheners.
Let’s take a look at its nutritional facts. Its leaves are blessed with some powerful antioxidants in the form of some essential vitamins like vitamin A, vitamin B-6, vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin K, beta carotene, folate and riboflavin. The beneficial minerals contained in it are calcium, iron, potassium, magnesium and manganese. Besides being the power source of these essential nutrients this is what its magical leaves can do:
One of the most important functions mint leaves can perform is that it supports the digestive system by activating the salivary glands and digestive enzymes. For best results, use mint tea. Moreover, the leaves are also beneficial for soothing colic pain and for gastrointestinal problems.
Mint can help weight loss
Mint can also help in your efforts to lose weight in a healthy way! Mint is a stimulant, and 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 your weight gain!
Mint is a good treatment for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and colic spasms
Peppermint oil capsules have been described as “the drug of first choice” in IBS patients, as it safely helps alleviate symptoms and improve quality of life. Research has shown that it is effective in children and adults alike, with one study showing a 50% reduction in “total irritable bowel syndrome score” among 75% of patients who tried it.
Peppermint oil is an effective alternative to drugs like Buscopan for reducing colonic spasms. It may also relax the muscles of your intestines, allowing gas to pass and easing abdominal pain. Try peppermint oil or leaves added to tea for gas relief.
The strong and refreshing aroma of mint is a quick and effective remedy for nausea. Even just the smell of mint oil or freshly crushed mint leaves or the use of any product with mint flavor, and your stomach issues will be alleviated. In fact, many people keep menthol oil or mint-flavored products with them at all time to avoid nausea. Balms with a mint base or basic mint oil, when rubbed on the forehead and nose, gives quick relief in case of headache. Mint is a naturally soothing substance, so it can alleviate the inflammation and temperature rise that is often associated with headaches and migraines.
Mint is an effective relief for respiratory disorders and coughs
The strong aroma of mint is very effective in clearing up congestion of the nose, throat, bronchi and lungs, which gives relief for respiratory disorders that often result from asthma and the common cold. As mint cools and soothes the throat, nose and other respiratory channels, it relieves the irritation which causes chronic coughing. This is the main reason why so many balms are based on mint.
Some studies have also revealed its benefits for the tuberculosis patients.
For an instant relief from congestion, add 4 to 5 mint leaves to the boiling water and inhale the steam.
Mint is a natural stimulant, and the smell alone can be enough to charge your batteries and get your brain functioning on a high level again. If you are feeling sluggish, anxious, depressed, or simply exhausted, mint and its derivative essential oils can help. It can be ingested, applied topically in a salve form, or inhaled as a vapor, and all of those 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.
Mint improves memory
A recent study explored the effects that mint has on alertness, retention, and cognitive function. It found that people who frequently use chewing gum, whose 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!
Since mint has germicidal qualities and quickly freshens breath, it adds to oral health by inhibiting harmful bacterial growth inside the mouth and by cleaning the tongue and teeth. This is why mint used to 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, mint is one of the most common elements in toothpastes, mouthwashes, and other dental hygiene products. Of course, the easiest way to get these results is to simply chew on the leaves.
Mint can prevent cancer
The compound called menthol present in mint leaves has the power to treat various types of cancer, especially prostate cancer.
While mint oil is a good antiseptic and anti-pruritic material, mint juice is an excellent skin cleanser. It soothes skin, and helps to cure infections and itchiness, as well as being a good way to reduce pimples, and 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.
Mint aids in shingles-associated pain and inhibits herpes simplex virus Type 1
A 2002 case study found that topical peppermint oil treatment resulted in a near immediate improvement of shingles associated neuropathic pain symptoms; the therapeutic effects persisted throughout the entire 2 months of follow-up treatment. Peppermint has also been shown to help inhibit drug-resistant herpes simplex virus type 1
Mint alleviates allergies and hay fever
Season allergies and hay fever (also known as rhinitis) affect millions of people around the world at certain times of the year. Extracts from mint leaves have been shown to inhibit the release of histamines, which often spur on the severe nasal symptoms that are associated with hay fever and seasonal allergies.
Preclinical research indicates peppermint protects against radiation-induced DNA damage and cell death.
Are you feeling tired or bored after reading all of that info on mint? Why don’t you have a cup of this chocolate-mint pudding? That may be just the refreshing boost you need!
Chocolate-mint pudding recipe
Ingredients - Yield: 6 servings (serving size: about 2/3 cup)
3 cups fat-free milk
1/2 cup packed fresh mint leaves (about 1/2 ounce)
2/3 cup sugar
1/4 cup cornstarch
3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa
1/8 teaspoon salt
3 large egg yolks, lightly beaten
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped
Mint sprigs (optional)
1/2 cup packed fresh mint leaves (about 1/2 ounce)
2/3 cup sugar
1/4 cup cornstarch
3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa
1/8 teaspoon salt
3 large egg yolks, lightly beaten
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped
Mint sprigs (optional)
Directions
Heat milk over medium-high heat in a small, heavy saucepan to 180° or until tiny bubbles form around edge (do not boil). Remove from heat; add mint. Let stand 15 minutes; strain milk mixture through a sieve into a bowl, reserving milk. Discard solids. Return milk to pan; stir in sugar, cornstarch, cocoa, and salt. Return pan to medium heat; bring to a boil, stirring constantly with a whisk until mixture thickens.
Place egg yolks in a medium bowl; gradually add half of hot milk mixture, stirring constantly with a whisk. Add egg mixture to pan; bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Cook 1 minute or until thick. Remove from heat; add vanilla and chocolate, stirring until chocolate melts. Pour pudding into a bowl; cover surface of pudding with plastic wrap. Chill. Garnish with mint sprigs, if desired.
Nutritional Information/ amount per serving
- Calories: 227
- Calories from fat: 25%
- Fat: 6.4g
- Saturated fat: 3.2g
- Monounsaturated fat: 2.5g
- Polyunsaturated fat: 0.4g
- Protein: 6.7g
- Carbohydrate: 39.4g
- Fiber: 1.2g
- Cholesterol: 105mg
- Iron: 1.1mg
- Sodium: 106mg
- Calcium: 173mg
