Have a healthy nutrition It not only entails including in our diet those products that provide us with the necessary nutrients for the proper functioning of our body, but also including others accessories that may have interesting properties for health.
In this sense, the medicinal herbs They usually have many benefits that help us take care of our health and that, sometimes, we are unaware of. Something that causes us not to get the most out of them that we should.
That is why today we want to talk to you about one of these plants and we are going to discover 5 unknown properties of peppermint that help you have better health. So, if you want to know more, we encourage you to keep reading.
What is peppermint and where does it come from?
Peppermint is one medicinal and aromatic plant which comes from the Mentha species, which is why its technical name is Mentha spicata. It is an herb well known for its excellent aroma and because it is used in many drinks such as Mojitobut the truth is that their properties they go beyond this.
In fact, peppermint has expectorant, soothing effects and many more that we will know in detail below. Surely, after reading them, you feel like consuming this plant more regularly.
5 Properties of peppermint that you do not know
As we have just commented, the peppermint benefits They go far beyond giving an aromatic touch to drinks or other types of recipes. In fact, it has the most interesting properties for our health and that is why it has been used in traditional medicine for many years.
However, so that you can learn more about all the advantages of using this plant, we are going to tell you about them in detail below.
1. Get rid of bad breath
Surely, when looking at toothpastes, more than once you have realized that one of the usual ingredients is peppermint. The reason is clear, it helps us eliminate bad breath that sometimes occurs in our mouth.
This is so because peppermint fight germs causing this bad smell, while giving a minty touch to our mouth and leaving us with a much more refreshing taste.
But not only can it be used in toothpastes, its antibacterial and antimicrobial action It can also be used if we use it as a mouthwash. And, best of all, is that it not only helps us against halitosis, but also cures other diseases that we may have in this cavity.
2. Relieves stomach problems
If we had to talk about one of the best-known characteristics of peppermint, it would undoubtedly be its ability to treat discomfort that we can have at the stomach level. In fact, this is the best known property of this medicinal herb.
But why are these functions attributed to it? Actually, peppermint is antispasmodic and also carminative which means that it helps us to expel gases in a much faster and more effective way. Something that considerably improves some problems such as indigestion, nausea or bloating.
But, in addition, also decreases acidity and encourages us to carry out a good digestion, since it increases the production of bile. At the same time, it promotes the relaxation of the smooth muscles of the digestive tract to avoid possible stomach problems.
Furthermore, it is also important to note at this point that the antiseptic character of this plant, helps reduce bacteria growth within the digestive tract.
3. Fight respiratory problems
Another relatively well-known function of this plant is its use to treat some respiratory problems. Specifically, it is used for relieve nasal congestion and to treat bothersome symptoms of a cold.
This is because it helps us clear the airways thanks to the fact that they allow us to expel phlegm in a simpler way. All this thanks to the fact that it has effective components against the treatment of these conditions, such as acid ascorbic acid, menthol and tinol.
4. Reduces headaches
If you are one of those people who regularly suffer from headaches or have muscle overload, you should know that mint can also be a great ally for you. This is due to several issues, but the first one is that this plant acts as analgesic and anti-inflammatory so they reduce muscle pain and headaches.
But, in addition, it has also been proven that it has effects similar to those produced by menthol creams, since it transmits cold. And, as you well know, this causes vasoconstriction of the arteries, reducing inflammation.
Finally, and as we have previously mentioned, the menthol present in this plant has a muscle relaxation effect that helps eliminate these pains.
5. Promotes relaxation
Last but not least, is the fact that it is one of the plants that can help us reduce stress and anxiety of our life. Something that makes it part of our list of essential aromatic herbs to have at home.
This is because it causes a sedative effect on our organism that favors greater mental clarity and decreases cortisol levelsthe hormone that is directly related to stress.
To do this, it is best to use it as an infusion, which we can drink or simply use on our face to calm the skin and take advantage of its nutrients. Although, if you are not too fond of infusions, you can also smell mint leaves, which usually produce relaxation on the nervous system.
As you can see, it is a very complete plant that can help us treat diseases and generally improve the symptoms of some common conditions. That is why we recommend that you get a plant so that you can have it in your house and use it when you need it, in addition to benefiting from its wonderful aroma.
