Mint Leaf Health Benefits
Mint is a herbal plant that has a lot of health benefits because it is a rich source of Vitamin A, Vitamin C, and minerals like copper, iron, manganese, potassium, and many more. Its leaf has a fresh flavor that has the following health benefits:
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Toothpaste is one example of a product that contains mint.
It is incorporated in the toothpaste to create a fresh flavor in the mouth when brushing teeth. To have fresh breath, some people chew on mint leaves knowing that the chemicals found in mint leaves kill bacteria that cause bad odor of mouth. -
For stomachaches, mint leaf can also be very beneficial. It helps the muscles in the stomach and the intestines to relax; soothing nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and other irritable bowel syndrome. It can also be used to ease travel sickness.
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Mint is also believed to be an anticancer food. It has this perillyl alcohol which is a phytonutrient that prevents the incidence of colon, lung, and skin cancer in animals.
However, current studies have not yet proven the same effect on humans. -
The vitamins and minerals found in mint leaves can lessen the harmful free radicals in a person’s body. The mint leaf is also a good source of omega-3 fatty acids.
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Chewing the leaves of mint causes a menthol effect that helps ease difficulty in breathing. When there is proper breathing, there will also be proper blood circulation around the body. It is recommended for cough, congestion, and other respiratory problems.
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The plant is also effective in treating skin problems such as acne, minor burns, and fungal infection.
What are the Uses of Mint Leaf
The leaves of mint have several uses. Below is a summary of how people can make use of mint leaves.
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Learn how to make a homemade mint mouth wash instead of buying a commercially distributed mouth wash. Make use of the leaves of the mint plant. Chop the leaves of approximately 4 tablespoons. Boil 1 quart of water and pour it to the chopped leaves. Allow it to cool down then chill in the refrigerator. This can now be used as mouthwash.
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To add a minty effect on food, chopped mint leaves can also be added on salad dressings, fresh yogurt, fresh fish, vegetables, and others.
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The Pennyroyal, a type of mint, is used by some as a mosquito repellant. Its leaves are rubbed on the skin to keep mosquitoes away. This, however, is not good for ingesting because it is poisonous to the human body.
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Mint is also used as a perfume in the ancient Greek and Roman era. And in old temples, it is used as an air freshener to get rid of bad odor.