Learn about the benefits and composition of mint. How to apply it, what effect it has on the body, read the chemical composition and contraindications.
Mint (English Mentha or Mint) is a medicinal plant that is widely used in folk medicine to get rid of various ailments, as well as in cooking and cosmetology. It is useful to regularly drink tea, using mint leaves instead of tea leaves, because such a drink has a calming effect on the nervous system.
Species of mint
Today, a fairly large number of different types of mint are known, the main difference of which is the composition of essential oils and the properties exerted on the human body. As Wikipedia points out, there are about 25 species and 10 natural hybrids in total. We will consider only 2 - the most popular.
Peppermint
Peppermint is the most popular because its leaves contain a large amount of menthol. Thanks to the essential oils of menthol, this type of plant is used in traditional and folk medicine, as well as cosmetology. Menthol is added to various remedies used to treat certain skin conditions and is found in toothpaste to help remove bad odors from the mouth.
Medicinal mint has a lot of positive properties:
- it is an excellent diuretic, due to which excess fluid is excreted from the body. If you consume a lot of pickles, it is good to drink fresh mint tea every day;
- there is a choleretic effect, therefore it can be used as a means for losing weight;
- it is used as an antiemetic - a few drops of pomegranate and mint juice are mixed. This composition helps relieve an attack of nausea, stop vomiting and can be taken during pregnancy;
- has a sedative effect on the nervous system, helps relieve anxiety. To do this, it will be enough to drink a cup of tea, for the preparation of which dried or fresh mint can be used;
- the plant has anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects. For this, fresh herb is brewed, mint should be boiled for several minutes and the finished tea can be taken for migraines and headaches;
- Peppermint can be used in cosmetology to strengthen and heal hair. It is useful to regularly rinse the strands with a warm broth after each wash. However, if such a natural rinse is used, it is strictly forbidden to use a hair dryer to dry your hair. This product perfectly nourishes strands, restores natural shine, stimulates hair growth, eliminates the problem of split ends;
- peppermint decoction lotions are recommended to eliminate inflammation and relieve itching of the scalp.
Plain mint
This type includes several types, usually the most used: Japanese mint (Mentha japonica), water (Mentha aquatica), marsh (Mentha pulegium) and apple (Latin Mentha rotundifolia).
The composition of mint leaves contains a large amount of menthol, which has an antiseptic, antispasmodic and local anesthetic effect. Plain mint can be taken internally as a tea or externally.
Mint brings benefits for angina pectoris, severe pain in the stomach, intestines - is taken orally. If severe toothache is concerned, neuralgia, bronchitis or other respiratory tract disease is diagnosed, the plant is applied externally. It is due to its properties that mint is added to a variety of ointments, drops, tablets and other medicines.
Mint decoctions help relieve inflammation in the oral cavity, eliminate abdominal cramps, heartburn, heart pain. This plant has an excellent tonic effect, is able to relieve palpitations, bringing it back to normal. It is often used during the treatment of flatulence, ulcerative colitis and constipation.
And due to the presence of bitterness, the plant helps to stimulate the work of the gallbladder and liver. It is used in the removal of stones formed in the gallbladder, helps to gently but effectively cleanse the liver.
Common mint is widely used both in the pharmaceutical industry and in perfumery, it is added to a variety of confectionery and some alcoholic beverages.
Mint properties
Mint has a lot of useful properties, thanks to which it has been used in folk medicine for many centuries, because our ancestors knew about its positive effect on the body.
Benefits of mint
- An excellent and natural sedative. Mint leaves are brewed as a simple tea, the drink is infused for 10 minutes and is ready to drink.
- It has a powerful anti-inflammatory effect, therefore it is contained in various medicinal products.
- It has an analgesic, astringent and expectorant effect. Peppermint is useful in the treatment of various diseases of the stomach, rheumatism and tuberculosis.
- The tincture, made from peppermint, quickly relieves even severe headaches.
- Helps with flatulence.
- Peppermint essential oil stimulates hair growth. To do this, you need to prepare a simple decoction - the leaves of the plant (300 g) are taken and poured with boiling water (1 l), the mixture is boiled for 30 minutes. The broth is infused for another half an hour and is used to rinse the strands.
Chemical composition and calorie content
The calorie content of fresh mint per 100 g is 70 kcal, as well as:
- Protein - 3.75 g
- Fat - 0.94 g
- Carbohydrates - 6, 89 g
- Ash - 1.76 g
- Water - 78, 65 g
- Dietary fiber - 8 g
Vitamins:
- A - 212 mcg
- B1 - 0.082 mg
- B2 - 0.266 mg
- B5 - 0.338 mg
- B6 - 0, 129 mg
- B9 - 114 mcg
- C - 31.8 mg
- PP - 1, 706 mg
Macro and microelements:
- Calcium - 243 mg
- Potassium - 569 mg
- Phosphorus - 73 mg
- Magnesium - 80 mg
- Sodium - 31 mg
- Iron - 5.08 mg
- Manganese - 1, 176 mg
- Iron - 5.08 mg
- Copper - 329 mcg
- Zinc - 1, 11 mg
Peppermint treatment
- It improves blood circulation, mint is used to slow down and normalize heart palpitations.
- Recommended for diseases of the vascular system and heart.
- The plant oil is used in the preparation of a large number of medicines used for stomach ailments.
- Regular consumption of mint helps to normalize digestion, relieve nausea and flatulence.
- If there are no contraindications, mint can be used to treat asthma, various inflammatory processes in the bronchi and lungs.
Contraindication
- The presence of individual plant intolerance.
- With strong nervous excitability, insomnia.
- If infertility has been diagnosed, since regular consumption of mint can aggravate the situation.
- Low pressure.
- During breastfeeding (milk supply may decrease).
- Not recommended for men, because there is a decrease in libido.
- Children under 3 years of age.
Useful properties of Mint
- blood pressure drops;
- the heart rate is normalized;
- recommended for angina pectoris, arrhythmias, atherosclerosis;
- the tone of the walls of blood vessels increases;
- has an antiseptic and disinfectant effect;
- headache is relieved;
- breathing is easier;
- body temperature drops;
- sore throat is eliminated;
- there is a cooling and anesthetic effect during the treatment of pharyngitis, tonsillitis;
- the inflammatory processes occurring in the maxillary sinuses are eliminated;
- the work of the kidneys and gallbladder is facilitated;
- the functioning of the intestine is normalized;
- the acidity of the stomach decreases;
- the development of peptic ulcer is prevented;
- the development of pathogenic bacteria is prevented;
- relieve attacks of heartburn;
- a strengthening effect is exerted on the liver cells, due to which their protective functions increase;
- the development of gallstone disease is prevented;
- the outflow of bile is normalized.
Harm
Uncontrolled use of mint leads to unpleasant consequences and an allergic reaction, manifested by the following symptoms:
- itching, skin rashes;
- breathing is disturbed;
- redness of the skin;
- bronchospasm;
- Strong headache;
- nausea;
- vomit.
Plant application
Peppermint has a lot of positive properties and is becoming an almost irreplaceable medicinal plant that can be used in various fields.
Mint in cooking: recipes
This plant gives an interesting flavor to dishes. Mint perfectly soothes and refreshes, gives a charge of vivacity and energy. It is most often used in the preparation of a variety of refreshing drinks. Mint tea can be brewed at any time of the year using fresh or dried raw materials.
A variety of dishes can be prepared with this herb - meat, fish, first, second, desserts, drinks and decoctions.
1. Non-alcoholic mojito at home
To make a refreshing mojito you will need:
- Sparkling mineral water or plain water - 300 ml
- Lime - 1 pc.
- Fresh mint - 15 × 20 leaves
- Sugar - 2-3 tsp
- Ice crushed in a blender - 2/3 glass
The cooking process is simple:
- Cut the lime into slices.
- Place lime, mint leaves and sugar in a glass.
- Muddle down.
- Add ice.
- Pour the soda all the way to the top and stir the mojito.
- Garnish with a mint leaf if desired and serve with 1 × 2 straws.
2. Mint tea
For the preparation of traditional mint tea, 1 tbsp is taken. l. leaves of the plant and 200 g of boiling water is poured. The drink is infused for about 10 minutes. You can drink tea both hot and cold. You can add a few drops of lemon juice.
3. Infusion of mint
To improve the functioning of the digestive system and improve appetite, it is useful to prepare the following infusion:
- 2 tsp dry mint leaves are crushed;
- raw materials are poured in 1 tbsp. boiling water;
- the tincture is left for 30 minutes;
- the medium is filtered and can be received.
4. Broth
This agent has a disinfectant and antitussive effect. It is recommended to take it in 1 tbsp. l. three times a day for diseases of the respiratory system. The preparation of the broth is carried out according to the following recipe:
- take 15 g of dry mint leaves;
- 1 tbsp is poured. water;
- the mixture is placed on the stove, brought to a boil, boiled for 15 minutes;
- the broth is left for half an hour, filtered.
5. Oil
Peppermint essential oil is widely used due to the large amount of menthol in its composition. During a cold, menthol helps to ease breathing, helps with asthma, sinusitis, cough, bronchitis, headache. It can be used to relieve an attack of nausea and vomiting, useful in diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.
Peppermint oil is useful for depression, severe stress, emotional stress. To relieve intense stress, it is recommended to add a couple of drops to the bath.
Mint in cosmetology
Peppermint essential oil is widely used in beauticians to maintain good condition of the skin and hair:
- useful for weakened, thin and brittle hair, eliminates dandruff, irritation and increased oiliness of the scalp. To do this, it is enough to add literally a couple of drops of mint essential oil to the usual shampoo, then apply to the hair, foam, leave for a minute, and then rinse off with plenty of water;
- to improve blood circulation and stimulate hair growth, it is recommended to rub a few drops of peppermint oil into the scalp;
- the oil perfectly moisturizes and nourishes the skin of the face, relieves irritation and itching, helps in the fight against acne and pimples.
Video about the beneficial properties of mint and how to use it:
Mint is very useful for the body, helps in the fight against various ailments, is widely used in cooking and cosmetology.
