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Top 10 Powerful Benefits of Peppermint
Photo credit: bigstock
6. Hay Fever
A study done in 2001 showed that using the extracts from the leaves of peppermint act as an antihistamine, which shows that it could be just as effective in relieving the symptoms of allergic rhinitis, more commonly known as hay fever.
7. Prostate Cancer
In preclinical research, peppermint was found to contain an ingredient called menthol, which has been shown to hinder the growth of prostate cancer. Read also about cancer causing foods you are probably eating every day.
8. Cavities/Bad Breath
Powdered peppermint leaves were used in the Middle Ages to stop bad breath and whiten teeth. Modern research now shows that using peppermint oil extract can stop cavities by killing the germs that cause them, even better than commercial mouthwashes.
9. Cold Symptoms
Smelling peppermint might clear your nasal passages when you have a stuffy nose, but even if it doesn’t, for some reason it tricks your brain into thinking it does. So inhale some peppermint oil next time you have a head cold. Read more about natural foods that cure colds.
10. Memory
In a study done in 2006, people who smelled peppermint had improved memory and an increased sense of alertness than those who didn’t take a sniff.
Sources:
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.
WhiteCrow
May 11, 2014 at 6:29 pm
Justin – thanks for sharing that! I didn’t know peppermint was so versatile! Great article