Top 10 Powerful Benefits of Peppermint

mint

Photo credit: bigstock

Peppermint has been used since Egyptian times and has been a favorite of many cultures. Now, modern research has proven that this sweet smelling plant also has many health benefits, including healing aspects.  Here we will show you the top 10 ways you can use peppermint to both heal and soothe.

 

1. Stomach Problems

Many people know about sucking on a peppermint when you have nausea or indigestion but there is recent scientific evidence showing that peppermint has a strong response to those with irritable bowel syndrome. In a recent study done in Italy, a huge 75 per cent of those with IBS had a significant reduction in symptoms after taking peppermint oil capsules for 30 days.

 

2. Food Cravings

In a 2011 study, people who were told to smell peppermint oil every two hours reported that they did not feel hungry and ate about 2,800 calories less per week than those who didn’t get a whiff of that candy cane smell. Find out healthy replacements for unhealthy things.

 

3. Breastfeeding

In a study done in 2007 it was found that peppermint water helped to prevent nipple pain and cracking in mothers who were breastfeeding.

 

4. Headaches

Tension headaches, which are generally brought about by stress or anxiety, might be eased with just a little topically applied peppermint oil. In a 1996 study, rubbing a drop of peppermint oil on the forehead and temples eased headaches just as well as over the counter pain medication, in just 15 minutes of use, with no side effects whatsoever.

 

5. Shingles

Peppermint oil that was applied topically had an almost immediate effect of relieving the pain associated with shingles, and these effects continued for the entire 2 months of treatment, so says a 2002 case study.

Continue to Page 2

PrevPage: 1 of 2Next
//

2 Comments

  1. Justin Wahlquist

    May 1, 2014 at 6:17 pm

    Another little-known benefit: Studies have shown that peppermint oil can drastically increase your chances of surviving exposure to gamma radiation. In one study, 87% of rats given peppermint oil survived exposure to gamma rays, compared to 0% survival of those that didn’t get the oil.

  2. WhiteCrow

    May 11, 2014 at 6:29 pm

    Justin – thanks for sharing that! I didn’t know peppermint was so versatile! Great article