While enjoying this great water and mInt leaf drink, I began to wonder what are the benefits of mint leaves?
Mint leaves provide a host of health benefits that are often overlooked. In this blog post, we will discuss 11 ways mint leaves can improve our health and wellbeing!
What you will learn
11 Health Benefits Of Mint
Cool Off
Mint leaves have a refreshing and cooling effect on the body, which can be helpful in hot weather or after strenuous exercise.
Place mint leaves in a bottle of water and drink throughout the day to help you stay hydrated and cool.
Here is another article to read on the benefits of mint leaves, but we cover a lot of it here!
Colds and Flu
Mint leaves have antiviral and antibacterial properties that make them helpful in treating colds and flu.
Drinking mint tea or inhaling the vapors from boiling mint leaves can help clear congestion and soothe sore throats.
A study done in 2010 found that mint oil was effective in killing certain types of bacteria.
Allergy Flare-Up Prevention
Did you know that mint leaves can also help relieve allergy symptoms?
Studies show that the menthol in mint leaves has a cooling and anti-inflammatory effect that can help soothe itchy eyes, runny noses, and scratchy throats caused by allergies.
Digestive Aid
Do mint leaves help with digestion?
Mint leaves can help settle the stomach and relieve indigestion.
These amazing leaves can help to improve digestion and prevent indigestion. Use mint tea as a home remedy for an upset stomach and to ease nausea. The antioxidants in mint leaves can also help to protect the digestive tract from damage.
Drink mint tea after meals or chew on a few mint leaves if you are feeling bloated or have gas.
An experiment done at the University of Maryland Medical Center found that peppermint oil capsules were helpful in relieving indigestion.
Benefits of drinking mint water in morning
If you are wondering whether to drink this powerful mix in the morning, you should. Studies show it will keep you hydrated, keep your weight in good health and may help with bloating. I actually used to consume mint water to keep my pregnancy nausea calm. It works!
Can we eat mint leaves directly?
Mint comes from the leaf family called Lamiaceae. These leaves are safe to consume. You can chew mint leaves directly, which can help your gums and teeth.Â
How many mint leaves can you eat a day?
Everything in moderation! The recommended daily dosage of mint is 3 to 6 grams a day.
Skin Care
Mint leaves can be used to treat acne, eczema, and other skin conditions such as soothing cracked nipples.
Because the leaves have anti-inflammatory properties they can help reduce redness and swelling.
Make a mint leaf paste by mashing the leaves and applying it to your skin for relief.
Hair Care
Mint leaves can also be used to improve hair health. This leaf has a stimulating effect on the scalp and can promote hair growth.
Massage a mint leaf paste into your scalp and leave it on for 30 minutes before washing it out.
What does mint do to your scalp?
Mint may help some scalp issues like dandruff as it contains natural antimicrobial properties. Mixing peppermint oil with a carrier oil or buying pre-made mixtures are a good option.Â
You can also add a few drops of peppermint oil to your shampoo or make a mint leaf tea and use it as a final rinse after shampooing.
Relieve Headaches
Mint leaves can also be used to relieve headaches.
Because of the cooling effect mint leaves have they can help to soothe headaches.
Apply a mint leaf paste to your forehead or temples and leave it on for 15 minutes.
You can also inhale the vapors from boiling mint leaves or drink mint tea to help relieve a headache.
Breath Freshener
Mint leaves can help to freshen your breath.
The menthol in mint leaves has a cooling and refreshing effect that can help to mask bad breath.
Chew on a few mint leaves or drink mint tea to help freshen your breath.
You can also make a mouthwash by boiling mint leaves in water and adding a pinch of salt.
Weight Loss
Mint leaves have been shown to aid in weight loss. One study found that those who consumed mint tea daily lost more weight than those who did not. Mint leaves can help to curb appetite and reduce cravings for unhealthy foods.
An experiment done on women at the University of Tokyo found that those who inhaled peppermint oil before meals ate less than those who did not.
Vitamins
Mint leaves are also a good source of vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C, manganese, and copper.
Vitamin C helps to boost the immune system and manganese is essential for bone health.
Copper helps to produce collagen and elastin, which are important for skin and hair health.
Antioxidants
They also contain antioxidants that can protect the body against damage from free radicals.
Have a watch and listen to this video for some more knowledge on the benefits of mint leaves.
Conclusion
So next time you’re looking for a healthy way to cool down or need some relief from an upset stomach, reach for some mint leaves! And don’t forget to add them to your next smoothie or salad for an extra nutritional boost.
