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Why You Need More Peppermint In Your Life
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Peppermint also combats other gastrointestinal-related problems like functional dyspepsia. A study published in the Ailment Pharmacology and Therapy medical journal revealed that a combination of peppermint and caraway oil treatment significantly improved symptoms in 67 percent of patients.
Colon conditions like colonic spasms and infantile colic can also be improved with peppermint oil. A 2003 study found that peppermint oil mixed with barium made enema treatments for colonic spasms more effective. Obviously, these are both serious conditions, so seek professional guidance from a doctor or pediatrician before attempting any treatment.
In addition to its many stomach and intestinal benefits, peppermint also helps with respiratory conditions. This is usually done by breathing in peppermint oil fumes from a diffuser or boiling water (obviously be careful not to scald yourself if you pursue the latter option).
One study conducted in 2009 found that inhaling peppermint oil fumes could significantly improve the symptoms and inflammation associated with tuberculosis. Breathing in diffused peppermint oil can also bring relief to people suffering from the common cold, seasonal allergies and congested sinuses.
There are also its pain-relieving qualities. If you have ever used a rub for sore muscles, you’ve probably noticed it has a very powerful, mint-like scent that immediately clears out your sinuses. This is because of the active ingredient, menthol. It turns out that menthol is very helpful for alleviating soreness and pain caused by inflammation in the muscles or joints. A study found that topical application of peppermint oil was effective for reducing pain caused by myofascial pain syndrome and fibromyalgia, producing results that were comparable to commercial products like Icy Hot and other natural products like eucalyptus oil.
READ ALSO: Chamomile Tea Lowers The Risk Of One Very Big Cancer
Peppermint and peppermint oil have many natural medicinal purposes, and we’ve only begun to scratch the surface here, but this guide offers insight into some of the most beneficial applications of this amazing herb. It has stood the test of time, and modern science backs it up.
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