The health benefits of mint leaves are no secret, this is a plant commonly found in menthol, in the manufacture of toothpaste, aromatherapy or in mouthwash. Mint leaves have a very distinctive spicy aroma, even approaching the nose to the tree can already feel its distinctive aroma.
The mint leaf taste is spicy and distinctive, just like you smell menthol candy, cold and fresh. This leaf not only gives a spicy and refreshing sensation but has many health benefits.
As a herbal leaf, mint leaves are widely used in various cuisines and drinks and provide many health benefits. First discovered in Europe, then around 1870, mint began to expand to Japan. The health benefits of mint can not be separated from the nutrients that exist such as Mentha piperita L or menthol, menthone and methyl acetate.
Benefits not only in traditional medicine, but in modern medicine mint is also used. For example, the menthol content in mint is a sedative and antispasmodic, and this substance is also found in cough medicines.
Mint is also rich in vitamin A so this plant is good for protecting eye health. Vitamin A is good for the eyes because it can prevent macular degeneration. Vitamin A is an important antioxidant in maintaining eye health.
Mint is also rich in essential oils such as menthol oil, essential oils, saponins, flavonoids and contains polyphenols. In addition, mint leaves also contain various other minerals such as phytonutrients, vitamin C, calcium, phosphorus, chlorophyll, fiber and rich in potassium.
Ok, now we come to the core explanation. We will talk about what are the benefits of mint leaves for health, hopefully it can increase our knowledge, this is what we conclude from healthline.com and alodokter.com
Table of Contents
Health Benefits of Mint Leaves
1. May lose weight
Mint is a plant that is rich in fiber and low in calories so it is good for digestion. This fiber serves to stimulate digestive enzymes so that digestive problems become smooth.
This enzyme works by dissolving fat so that fat that enters the intestine can be digested. The benefits of mint tea are to launch weight loss goals, for maximum results you can consume mint tea twice a day, namely in the morning, afternoon and before bed.
2. As a headache medicine
Mint leaves also work as a remedy for headaches. Usually headaches are caused by tense muscles, and pulling on neurons.
Headaches like this appear when someone is stressed or is working hard. There is a study in Canada which states that headaches like this can be treated with mint leaves. Consuming mint leaves acts as a therapeutic that improves blood flow and relaxes tense muscles.
3. Can treat toothache
Mint leaves have a distinctive aroma like toothpaste. In fact, toothpaste manufacturers use mint leaves in their products so your teeth must smell like mint sometimes. Mint leaves refresh the mouth and breath.
Using mint leaves to gargle or chew them can provide protection for the mouth. Mint leaves not only freshen the mouth but also kill bacteria on the teeth, gums and bacteria on the walls of the mouth.
Other benefits of mint leaves for health
4. Source of antioxidants
Mint leaves, like lettuce, are rich in antioxidants. Antioxidants are substances that can fight free radicals (causing oxidative stress). This oxidative stress causes various diseases including premature aging and cancer. It can be said that oxidative stress causes damage to body cells.
More: 16 Best Health Benefits Of Lettuce
Mint leaves for health are also because of the perillyl alcohol content, this is a substance that can stop the spread of cancer cells. In addition, there is also another antioxidant called rosmarinic. The benefits of rosmarinic are to prevent certain inflammatory diseases.
5. Can improve digestive health
The benefits of mint leaves also improve digestion. It acts as a carminative that can squeeze out gas in the stomach and fight other digestive tract symptoms.
This carminative property makes mint leaves good for consumption to prevent and treat flatulence.
More: What Does Rhubarb Taste Like?
6. Can relieve pain
It can be said that mint leaves are a natural pain reliever. If you experience pain in certain areas of the body. Apply mint leaf extract topically, it will provide a solution to your problem.
Mint preparations such as mint tea are quite good as a natural pain reliever, it works like aspirin, where the effect is like you use aspirin.
Other health benefits of mint leaves
7. Healthy hair
Mint leaves are also beneficial for hair health, especially to treat itchy hair and dandruff. How to get the benefits of mint for hair is to soak mint leaves and let stand for a week.
Then this soaking water is used as a conditioner. Use it to wash your hair in the shower.
8. Can relieve stress
Mint leaves are also useful for relieving stress. If you feel stressed or tense the nerves in the head, use mint leaf extract on the side of the head and this will provide a relaxing effect.
9. Relieves fever symptoms naturally
Mint leaves contain menthol which provides benefits for relieving fever symptoms. It improves the respiratory and digestive tract, and this can relieve symptoms of fever.
Also see: Coriander vs Cumin: Are they the Same?
10. Treating asthma
Mint leaves also provide great benefits for asthmatics. For those who experience this problem, you should provide medicine so that you can consume it whenever you need it.
