Health Benefits & Medicinal Qualities of Mint
Today my friends, I would like to discuss what I believe to be a natural and amazing herbal remedy that has many health and medicinal qualities. Mint is one of my own favorite herbs and I love that sweet aromatic smell. Known from ancient times, mint is a herb with curative properties.
It is also used in the specific Arabian cuisine as a spice.
Mint is known to have originated in Asia and the Mediterranean region.
How to Store & Use Mint:
- Fresh mint can be bought from your local supermarket and should be stored in the refrigerator for the best freshness. If you buy a bunch of mint, it should be placed in a container of water, stems down, with a plastic bag loosely covering the top.
- The water should be changed every two days to keep the mint fresh for a week.
- You can even grow your own mint in your garden and the pot it and bring it inside during the winter months, which will give your house a wonderful aromatic scent.
The two most popular types of mint that you may use for cooking or in teas or other products are peppermint and spearmint, with spearmint being the milder of the two. Many candies and sweets are derived from peppermint and spearmint.
Mint’s refreshing taste gives it the possibility to pair well with both sweet and savory dishes. You can use mint as a very flavorful tea, or put it on salads, it can be used on meats, vegetables, or in sauces to add a sweet flavor and aroma!
Mint Medicinal Properties: Mint contains a number of vitamins and minerals, which are vital to maintain a healthy body.
Mint contains substantial amounts of:
- Vitamin A, C,
- B12
- Folic acid
- thiamine
- riboflavin
- calcium
- copper
- fluoride
- iron
- manganese,
- phosphorus
- potassium
- selenium
- zinc
1. Mint is the champion for digestive problems. It has been shown to help people suffering from irritable bowel syndrome and other digestive issues. Mint has always been used medicinally to aid digestion and relieve indigestion. Mint can treat diarrhea, gastric fever or toxic infections. If you suffer from frequent indigestion, drinking a cup of peppermint tea after your meal can help.
2. Mint also may have a positive effect on symptoms of poly-cystic ovarian syndrome.
3. Mint can ease the symptoms of colds and flu by unblocking the breathing and respiratory passages, relieve congestion, and headaches. Mint can help with nasal allergies and is recommended in cases of asthma, bronchitis and the flu because of its antispasmodic and sedative properties. Sinusitis can be treated with mint also, because the menthol stimulates the nasal mucous membrane. It can be used as an inhalation in small amounts as well as for chest massages.
4. Mint acts as a powerful antioxidant, protecting the body against the formation of cancerous cells.
5. Mint acts as a mild sedative and has calming properties. You can add a drop or two to your bath water and this will help relax your body. Peppermint oil works nicely with essential oils of eucalyptus and lavender, which can add an extra relaxation values to your body.
6. Mint can relieve minor aches and pains such as muscle cramps and sprains and provides a cooling sensation to the skin on minor burns, itching, and common skin irritations.
7. Mint tea can also clear up acne and blackheads due to fact that it has an antibacterial action. It inhibits the growth of many different types of bacteria and fungus.
8. Mint is a very good cleanser for the blood. It also combats bad breathe.
9. Mental fatigue, stress, depressive states and headaches can be alleviated if mint oil is applied over the temples and back of head. Mint oil is a powerful stimulant and tonic. It stimulates nerves that perceive cold and decrease pain-transmission signals.
10. Mint is recommended for the treatment of rheumatism, for disinfection of the oral pocket and in cases of ear inflammation.
11. Essential Oil Stretch Easy Formula has been very effective with a very high success rate. It has been know to take away stretch marks after pregnancy and sometimes they can be quite a problem.
12. Peppermint can help relieve fever. Use peppermint tea made from 1 teaspoon of dried peppermint leaves for each cup of boiled water. It promotes sweating which in turn reduces your fever.
13. It is a great natural bug repellent— Recipe:
- Use 1/2 cup distilled water
- 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar or witch hazel
- and 40-50 drops of peppermint essential oil.
- put in a small spray bottle and shake thoroughly– Spray it on your body whenever your going outside. Use a small spray bottle I tried this formula and its works great!
Another tip is if you want to keep spiders from coming inside your house spray some mint around your windows, doors, and anywhere you feel necessary. Spiders do not like peppermint.
I like to use the essential oil mint for headaches and as for a natural bug repellent. If I want to smell good I take a drop of the Mint oil and use it for a fragrance instead of a toxic perfume! Mint is truly a natural herbal remedy that can improve our health and give us relieve from many ailments if we choose to use it God given healing powers.
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Marla …how would you use mint for arthritis? Do you make an oil and use it as a rub?
Hi Robin,
Yes I would use it as an oil mixture and rub it on the painful area. There are different ways that work.
One way you could use it is to apply peppermint essential oil to your painful area by making a topical massage oil. Dilute 40 to 60 drops of peppermint essential oil in 3.5 oz. of a carrier oil such as olive oil or grape seed oil. Store the mixture in a dark-colored bottle so it keeps fresh. Let this mixture fuse together for about 4 days before using it and then apply a small amount each day on the areas where you feel pain. Using a carrier oil helps it absorb into the skin I have found. Because of its ant-inflammatory and anesthetic properties peppermint has proven to give many people pain relief.
You can even mix it with other oils such as rosemary, lavender, chamomile and for some people it will enhance pain relief.
I have also used straight peppermint oil on painful areas or muscles and it has helped relieve the pain but it doesn’t seem to absorb as well into the skin. It works differently for different people and my best suggestion is to try to see what works for you the best.
Even drinking mint tea can be helpful and you get all the internal health benefits with it, but for arthritis pain normally applying to the painful area works better in my opinion. I hope this helps.
Live green, live healthy and live long!
Best Wishes,
Marla
Wonderful information. Been using mint as an analgesic for a while now. Wasn't aware of the nutritional value. Thanks.
Thank you Virginia for reading my article. Please come back and check for more informative information. Sign up for my e-mail subscription if you like. I am so happy that my article was of help to you. Mint is a wonderful herbal remedy which I use myself and find very helpful. Your very welcome and have a wonderful holiday weekend.
Fantastic uses for mint, thanks for sharing. I'm going to get some tomorrow.
Thank you Natasha for reading my article. Please come back to check for updates on new and helpful information. I am glad to help – enjoy your mint.