12 Health Benefits of Peppermint
Health Benefits of Peppermint
by: Arlene Gentallan
Peppermint is known for it's distinctive refreshing aroma and cool blast. There's more to this mint that meets the eye. Here are a list of health and medicinal benefits of peppermint:
1. Memory Enhancer
In a study by Moss M, Hewitt S, et al., just the simple aroma of essential oil peppermint is revealed to enhance both alertness and memory. what an amazing aroma!
2. Stress Reducer (Anti-anxiety / anxiolytic)
Peppermint contains rosmarinic acid that inhibits GABA transaminas leading to decrease anxiety. Enjoy a cup of peppermint tea to help you soothe your nerves and go through your day.
3. Relieves Tension Headache
In a study by Göbel H, Fresenius J, Heinze A, et al., it is revealed that topical application of peppermint oil into the temple and forehead alleviates tension-type headache (which is the most common headache.) It also gives us insight that peppermint's oil effect in reducing headache is comparable to acetaminophen (a medicine for pain)
The topical solution they've used is 10 gram peppermint oil combined with 90% ethanol.
Based on their study, they concluded that:
"Compared to the application of placebo, a 10% peppermint oil in ethanol solution significantly reduced the clinical headache intensity already after 15 minutes"
"There was no significant difference between the efficacy of 1,000 mg of acetaminophen and 10% peppermint oil in ethanol solution."
4. Natural Pain Killer
With peppermint's deep cooling sensation, it can relieve the most common bodily pain like headache, arthritis, muscle strain and stiffness. Simply apply peppermint oil over the affected area to ease the pain and swelling / inflammation.
5. Tummy Upset: Stomachache, indigestion, gas, and cramps
Drink a cup of peppermint tea after a meal to help prevent dyspepsia and indigestion. Peppermint has a soothing effect to the smooth muscle of the digestive system which helps prevent cramping. It also relieves irritable bowel syndrome which is characterized by sign and symptoms of abdominal pain, cramping, bloatedness, increase flatulence (gas), diarrhea and constipation.
That's a healthy cup of alternative for medications Buscopan (anti-spasm medicine) which has side effects.
6. Insect Repellant
Here's an economic and environmental friendly way to get rid of those annoying mosquitoes, horseflies and other insects. Simply apply peppermint oil into your skin. Enjoy it's coolness.
7. Relieves Itchy Skin
You can apply peppermint oil into the area bitten by insects like mosquitoes. This will reduce your urge to scratch the area which can leave visible marks on your skin. And if you ever had the the misfortune of accidentally brushing a poison ivy, you'll know how painful and itchy the rash can be. Just apply peppermint oil into the affected area to obtain relief.
8. Anti-Cancer
Peppermint contains perillyl alcohol which is a monoterpene that has an anti-cancer property. In studies done involving animal specimens, it was shown that perillyl alcohol inhibits the growth of cancer cells, like cancer of the breast, colon, lungs, prostate and rectum.
9. Antioxidant
The rosmarinic acid content of peppermint has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory property. This rejuvenates the body and prevent the damaging effects of free radicals we get from the foods we eat and our surroundings.
10. Antibacterial
Peppermint oil has been shown to inhibit the growth of certain bacteria and fungus. You can apply it to your skin and scalp to get rid of pungent smell or dandruff.
11. Freshens breath and Whitens teeth
You can use peppermint as an efficient cost effective oral hygiene tool. Gargle 1 tablespoon of peppermint oil for that cool healthy blast. Aide from keeping your breath fresh and your teeth white, this simple routine can also alleviate your gingivitis and mouth sore.
12. Respiratory Remedy
Stuffy and runny nose can ruin a good day. Peppermint extract can relieve the symptoms of allergic rhinitis, asthma, bronchitis, colds, cough, flu and tuberculosis.
Fast Facts:
Did you know that peppermint is actually a cross breed of watermint and spearmint?
Peppermint is an ingredient to a wide variety of stuffs, such as:
by: Arlene Gentallan
Peppermint is known for it's distinctive refreshing aroma and cool blast. There's more to this mint that meets the eye. Here are a list of health and medicinal benefits of peppermint:
1. Memory Enhancer
In a study by Moss M, Hewitt S, et al., just the simple aroma of essential oil peppermint is revealed to enhance both alertness and memory. what an amazing aroma!
2. Stress Reducer (Anti-anxiety / anxiolytic)
Peppermint contains rosmarinic acid that inhibits GABA transaminas leading to decrease anxiety. Enjoy a cup of peppermint tea to help you soothe your nerves and go through your day.
3. Relieves Tension Headache
In a study by Göbel H, Fresenius J, Heinze A, et al., it is revealed that topical application of peppermint oil into the temple and forehead alleviates tension-type headache (which is the most common headache.) It also gives us insight that peppermint's oil effect in reducing headache is comparable to acetaminophen (a medicine for pain)
The topical solution they've used is 10 gram peppermint oil combined with 90% ethanol.
Based on their study, they concluded that:
"Compared to the application of placebo, a 10% peppermint oil in ethanol solution significantly reduced the clinical headache intensity already after 15 minutes"
"There was no significant difference between the efficacy of 1,000 mg of acetaminophen and 10% peppermint oil in ethanol solution."
4. Natural Pain Killer
With peppermint's deep cooling sensation, it can relieve the most common bodily pain like headache, arthritis, muscle strain and stiffness. Simply apply peppermint oil over the affected area to ease the pain and swelling / inflammation.
5. Tummy Upset: Stomachache, indigestion, gas, and cramps
Drink a cup of peppermint tea after a meal to help prevent dyspepsia and indigestion. Peppermint has a soothing effect to the smooth muscle of the digestive system which helps prevent cramping. It also relieves irritable bowel syndrome which is characterized by sign and symptoms of abdominal pain, cramping, bloatedness, increase flatulence (gas), diarrhea and constipation.
That's a healthy cup of alternative for medications Buscopan (anti-spasm medicine) which has side effects.
6. Insect Repellant
Here's an economic and environmental friendly way to get rid of those annoying mosquitoes, horseflies and other insects. Simply apply peppermint oil into your skin. Enjoy it's coolness.
7. Relieves Itchy Skin
You can apply peppermint oil into the area bitten by insects like mosquitoes. This will reduce your urge to scratch the area which can leave visible marks on your skin. And if you ever had the the misfortune of accidentally brushing a poison ivy, you'll know how painful and itchy the rash can be. Just apply peppermint oil into the affected area to obtain relief.
8. Anti-Cancer
Peppermint contains perillyl alcohol which is a monoterpene that has an anti-cancer property. In studies done involving animal specimens, it was shown that perillyl alcohol inhibits the growth of cancer cells, like cancer of the breast, colon, lungs, prostate and rectum.
9. Antioxidant
The rosmarinic acid content of peppermint has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory property. This rejuvenates the body and prevent the damaging effects of free radicals we get from the foods we eat and our surroundings.
10. Antibacterial
Peppermint oil has been shown to inhibit the growth of certain bacteria and fungus. You can apply it to your skin and scalp to get rid of pungent smell or dandruff.
11. Freshens breath and Whitens teeth
You can use peppermint as an efficient cost effective oral hygiene tool. Gargle 1 tablespoon of peppermint oil for that cool healthy blast. Aide from keeping your breath fresh and your teeth white, this simple routine can also alleviate your gingivitis and mouth sore.
12. Respiratory Remedy
Stuffy and runny nose can ruin a good day. Peppermint extract can relieve the symptoms of allergic rhinitis, asthma, bronchitis, colds, cough, flu and tuberculosis.
Fast Facts:
Did you know that peppermint is actually a cross breed of watermint and spearmint?
Peppermint is an ingredient to a wide variety of stuffs, such as:
- Chewing gum
- Candies
- Cigarette and tobacco
- Tea
- Mouthwash and toothpaste
- Soap
