This article is reviewed by an expert
Looking for a natural way to improve your health and wellness? Look no further than mint!
Mint is rich in phytochemical compounds that offer multiple health benefits, including prevention of cancer development, weight loss, and improved cardiovascular health. It also exhibits antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and anti-diabetic effects, making it an excellent choice for those seeking a natural remedy for a wide range of health problems (1).
Let’s have a look at some of the benefits of mint leaves and start incorporating this incredible herb into our diet today.
Benefits of Mint Leaves (1)
Digestion
Primary Benefits: Mint has been used for centuries to treat digestive problems such as indigestion, IBS, stomach pain, and nausea. Peppermint oil, in particular, has been found to regulate muscle relaxation, control inflammation, and fight harmful microbes.
Secondary Benefits: In addition, mint also helps food pass through the stomach more quickly, reducing symptoms of indigestion.
Decongestion
Primary Benefits: The methanol in mint acts as a decongestant, easing chest congestion by loosening mucus in the lungs and shrinking swollen membranes in the nose.
Secondary Benefits: This provides relief from symptoms of several respiratory illnesses, such as colds, flu, bronchitis, and allergies, and boosts overall respiratory health.
Brain Health
Primary Benefits: Mint leaves can help enhance brain function, memory, and alertness. Several studies have also shown that the aroma of peppermint oil is beneficial in improving memory.
Secondary Benefits: Moreover, inhaling mint essential oil can instantly release serotonin in the blood, a neurotransmitter known for easing symptoms of stress and depression.
Cancer
Primary Benefits: Mint leaves contain perillyl alcohol, which has been shown to inhibit the growth of cancer cells in lab studies.
Secondary Benefits: In addition, mint leaves may also help reduce digestive issues, something many cancer patients deal with during treatment.
Cardiovascular Health
Primary Benefits: Mint leaves exhibit myorelaxant activity, making them useful in preventing thrombovascular disorders, which are conditions that occur when a blood clot forms in a blood vessel, obstructing the flow of blood to vital organs such as the heart, lungs, or brain.
Secondary Benefits: By preventing thrombovascular disorders, mint leaves may reduce the risk of arterial thrombotic events, such as heart attacks, strokes, etc.
Muscle Pain
Primary Benefits: The oil extracted from peppermint, a variety of mint, acts as a natural painkiller and muscle relaxer, making it helpful for soothing aching backs and sore muscles.
Secondary Benefits: This can be especially beneficial for individuals who experience chronic pain or discomfort due to conditions like arthritis and muscle strain.
Skin Health
Primary Benefits: Mint exhibits anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties that help treat acne and pimples. In addition, mint leaves are also rich in salicylic acid, which is known for treating acne and cleansing skin.
Secondary Benefits: The antioxidant properties of mint leaves also help remove free radicals from the body, giving you clean and youthful skin.
Oral Health
Primary Benefits: Mint leaves help improve oral hygiene and dental health by killing bacteria in the mouth and providing fresh breath.
Secondary Benefits: By getting rid of the bad bacteria from the mouth, mint leaves also help prevent the formation of plaque and tartar that can lead to cavities and gum disease.
Weight Loss
Primary Benefits: Mint leaves are known to suppress appetite, reduce sugar cravings, and improve digestion.
Secondary Benefits: As such, mint leaves can potentially contribute to weight management efforts.
Ayurvedic View of Mint (2)
In Ayurveda, mint (Mentha arvensis Linn.) is a medicinal herb known as Pudina or Putiha. It is said to possess the quality to pacify all three Doshas, especially the Pitta Dosha.
Ayurveda uses mint for several medicinal purposes. Here are some of the uses of mint according to Ayurveda.
- Ayurveda uses mint primarily to promote digestion and assimilation of food, treat colic pain, and activate the salivary glands in the mouth.
- The extracts of mint leaves are also used to treat intestinal worms and alleviate inflammation and irritable bowel syndrome.
- Mint oil has strong antiseptic and antibacterial properties and is therefore used in soothing the stomach and easing indigestion, diarrhoea, and nausea caused due to motion sickness.
- The refreshing and aromatic properties of mint leaves are used in making soothing balms and essential oils, which help alleviate headaches and nausea.
- The extracts of mint leaves are also used in toothpaste, mouthwashes and mouth freshener to ward off bacteria causing bad breath and clear plaque deposited in teeth.
On a Final Note
Mint leaves offer incredible benefits for our health and well-being, making them a valuable addition to our diets.
The herb contains phytochemical compounds that provide multiple health benefits, including cancer prevention, weight loss, and improved cardiovascular health. In addition, mint leaves also help with digestion, respiration, brain health, muscle pain, skin health and oral health.
By incorporating mint leaves into your daily routine, you can enjoy these benefits while also experiencing the refreshing and aromatic properties of this versatile herb.
References
- https://saudijournals.com/media/articles/SB_81_25-32.pdf
- https://rjpponline.org/HTMLPaper.aspx?Journal=Research%20Journal%20of%20Pharmacognosy%20and%20Phytochemistry;PID=2021-13-3-7
