Mint: it smells great, it grows fast, it tastes good and it has amazing benefits. Not to mention, growing it in your home will help keep pesky bugs like ants and flies outside. The health benefits of mint leaves are unbelievable!
Health benefits of mint leaves
1. Relieves headaches and nausea
By rubbing a fresh mint leaf on the forehead, or drinking a cup of mint tea, you’ll successfully relieve migraines and headaches.
2. Treats asthma
Since mint helps clear the respiratory tract, regular use is perfect for anyone who suffers from asthma. Mint also contains rosmarinic acid that acts as a powerful antioxidant, which helps to block allergy-producing leukotrienes.
3. Treats a cough and respiratory problems
Thanks to the intense smell of mint it helps in case of breathing and respiratory problems. You can either rub a few mint leaves on the chest or apply a natural mint cream in order to soothe the cold. If you want to ease breathing, you should inhale or drink mint tea.
4. Improves oral health
Because mint has a ton of anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, it is great for your oral health because it stops harmful bacterial growth inside the mouth. It also makes your breath minty fresh! All you have to do is rub a mint leaf directly on your teeth and gums, or chew on the leaves for a few minutes.
5. Strengthens the immune system
Compounds found in the mint, such as vitamins C, B, D, and E, phosphorus, calcium, phytochemicals, help it to boost the immune system, fight colds, and treat infections.
6. Stimulates digestion
The containment of the phytonutrients and antioxidants, make it perfect for improving the production of digestive enzymes and treating the digestive issues and soothing the stomach.
According to the scientists, this ability is due to the high methyl silicate and menthol content. It is recommended to drink 2 cups of mint tea daily and indigestion and bloating will be successfully prevented.
7. Treats tenderness and inflammation during breastfeeding
By rubbing a mint leaf on the breasts or drinking a cup of mint tea can soothe the pain, tenderness, and inflammation during breastfeeding.
8. Helps in the treatment of cancer
Recent research shows that mint can also prevent certain kinds of cancers because a phytochemical that can be found in mint leaves helps to cut off the blood supply to tumors.
9. Stops hiccups
By drinking mint water, which is high in menthol, you’ll be able to stop instantly hiccups.
10. Improves mood
Due to the ability to support the serotonin production in the brain, it has a property to improve memory and mood.
11. Helps weight loss
By adding mint to your diet you are helping your body lose weight faster because, as we know, mint is a stimulant that helps stimulate digestive enzymes. These digestive enzymes absorb nutrients from food, but also consume fat and turn it into usable energy, rather than storing fat for later.
12. Improves memory
According to numerous studies, mint shows the ability to effectively boost thinking and memory and reduces forgetfulness. It is recommended to drink a few cups of mint tea daily.
How to grow herb at home
Having in mind all above-mentioned benefits of the mint, it would be highly beneficial if you grow your own mint herb at home. You just need to follow next instructions:
Step 1) Take a 12-16 inches wide pot and fill it with soil,
Step 2) Plant a mint leaf in it
Step 3) Place the pot in a sunny place in your home,
Step 4) Trim it when it reaches 6 inches. You should trim the flower buds too, in order to keep the herb in place.
Step 5) Harvest only a third of its leaves at a time.
Sources: lifehack.org, healthylifeboxx.com
