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Top 10 Powerful Benefits of Peppermint
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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.
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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