What Are The Benefits of Mint?

What are the benefits of mint? Mint is a popular herb that can be used fresh or dried in many dishes and infusions. Mint oil is often used in toothpaste, gum, candy, and beauty products.

The Mentha, or mint, family refers to a group of around 15 to 20 plant species, including peppermint and spearmint.

Mint has one of the highest antioxidant capacities of any food. Learning how to use fresh herbs and spices such as mint to add flavour when cooking can also help to cut down on sodium intake.

Benefits

Mint is believed to have a number of health benefits.

Allergies: Mint plants contain an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent called rosmarinic acid. This has been studied for its effectiveness in relieving seasonal allergy symptoms, revealing a promising natural treatment.

Common cold: Mint contains menthol, a natural aromatic decongestant that helps to break up phlegm and mucus, making it easier to expel. Menthol also has a cooling effect and can help relieve a sore throat, especially when combined with tea.

Indigestion and gas: Mint is a calming and soothing herb that has been used for thousands of years to aid with upset stomach or indigestion. Mint is thought to increase bile secretion and encourage bile flow, which helps to speed and ease digestion (and which may also support healthy cholesterol levels). Peppermint is also thought to relieve pain and discomfort from gas and bloating. Peppermint tea is a common home remedy for flatulence.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS): The use of peppermint oil has been found to be an effective and safe treatment for those suffering from abdominal pain or discomfort associated with IBS.

Pain relief: Applying peppermint extract externally has been found to increase pain threshold in humans. Mint has been found to be as effective for pain relief as a when taken as a "tea."

Skin: When applied topically in oil, ointment or lotion, mint has the effect of calming and cooling skin affected by insect bites, rash or other reactions.

Oral health: Mint is a natural anti-microbial agent and breath freshener.

Diet

Mint can be used to flavour dishes accompanying lamb, soups and vegetable salads.

Adding mint is a great way to add flavour to a dish or beverage without adding excessive calories, sugar or salt.

Mint leaves are a tender herb (along with coriander and basil), with gentle stems. They are best used raw or added at the end of cooking in order to maintain their delicate flavour and texture.

When buying mint, look for bright, unblemished leaves. Store in plastic bags, or loose plastic wrap in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh for up to one week.

Mint is relatively easy to grow and can even be grown in small pots on a sunny windowsill. Growing mint in your garden can help ward off ants and flies.

When preparing mint, use a sharp knife and cut gently. Using a dull knife or over-chopping will bruise the herb and much of the flavour will be lost on the cutting board surface.

Mint is commonly used to flavour Middle Eastern dishes, such as lamb, soups, and vegetable salads.

Try mint limeade by mixing lime juice with sugar or stevia and muddled mint leaves. Top off with water and ice cubes.

Incorporate mint into a fresh fruit salsa with chopped apples, pear, lemon or lime juice, jalapeno and honey.

Jazz up your water by adding mint leaves and cucumber for a refreshing treat.

Add a few chopped mint leaves to your next chocolate chip cookie dough.

Pour hot water over mint leaves and steep for 5-6 minutes for homemade mint tea. Try using chocolate mint leaves for a twist.

Chop mint and toss with fresh pineapple for a quick snack.