Whether you want to stimulate your mind, make your hair
shine or brighten up your skin, mint is the answer and it is also easy to use.
Peppermint has so
many beauty uses, and its powerful aroma tingly menthol effect are both
stimulating and soothing. Characteristic of this plant is that it leaves a
sweet flavor with a cool sensation after eating. Containing essential oils and
tannin which reacts together, the herb is perfect revitalizer for both body and
mind. It also has valuable healing properties. Either fresh or dried, mint can
be used to mix curries, soups, salads, juices and herbal teas.
Age-old uses:
Mint has been popular since ancient times. Greek and Roman
herbalist prescribed mint for everything from hiccups to leprosy. Mint was used
by ancient Egyptians in cooking and perfumes, while Greeks and Romanians
freshened up by taking mint-scented baths. Romans viewed it as a brain tonic,
too, aiding concentration and inspiration. For centuries, Arabs have drunk mint
tea to increase their virility.
100 g of fresh mint leaves contains: 70 calories, 0-94 g of
fat and 8 g of dietary fiber. Mint is high in vitamins with 28% of the
recommended daily allowance for foliate, 141% of vitamin A and 51% of vitamin
C. it is also high in minerals with 24% of the recommended daily allowance for
calcium, 36% copper, 63.5%iron, 20% magnesium, 51% manganese and 10% zinc.
Are you looking and feeling out of condition? If so, then
find some mints, fresh or dry and the following benefits could be all yours:
Skin reviver:
Peppermint essential oil has high menthol content that makes
it cool refreshing on the skin. Many cosmetic companies use mint in face wash
and masks for its invigorating properties. Note that the menthol content can
also be an irritant, hence best foe oily and resilient skin. Peppermint’s
quality helps it to control the bacterial that can accumulate on the skin
surface making it ideal for acne, eczema, etc. whether severe or mild acne, eat
mint regularly to eliminate toxins in the body and purify the blood.
How to use:
To treat oily skin or broken capillaries, add two (2) drops
of peppermint essential oil to an un-perfumed moisturizer or four (4) drops to
a body cream says Julie sadler, author of Aromatherapy.
For an invigorating deep down facial cleanser, add three (3)
drops of peppermint oil to bowl of boiling water, cover your head
with a towel and steam your face for 10 minutes. Splash with cool water to wash
away grime and close pores.
To Tone and freshen skin, add just a couple of drops to your
bath-anymore can cause stinging. To relieve skin irritation, itching and
rashes, add four (4) drops of peppermint to 2 mls of carrier oil such as grape
seed or almond oil and apply on the affected area of the body. To aid in
circulation use peppermint oil, it makes good massage oil.
Mental stimulator:
The stimulating and uplifting smell of peppermint dispels
lethargy, improves concentration and clears mental fog. In Japan, employers
waft minty odors through the offices to keep the workers alart and focused.
How to use: Heat
four (4) drops of oil in aromatherapy burner to scent your room with the
invigorating fragrance. Even better, give yourself a massage – wonderful
uplifting when you are feeling mentally fatigued.
PS: Always
remember to dilute the peppermint in carrier oil (3 drops to 10 mls carrier
oil). This greatly stimulate detoxifies.
Breath sweetener:
Mint is also recommended for bad breath. It is a potent
all-natural warrior against your smelly breath. Besides easing nausea,
indigestion and heartburn, mint may fight the bacteria in your mouth that
causes bad breath.
How to use: It
contains chlorophyll and the act of chewing the leaves may help scrap the
odor-causing bacteria from your mouth. In addition, mint will leave its
signature minty-fresh taste behind. A hot mint tea is a great way to end a meal
with a fresher breath.
Not only does mint freshen the breath, it is believed to
whiten teeth. Make your own mouth wash with few drop of peppermint oil in a
glass of water. Gaggling with this routinely, freshens your breath and is
better than harsh chemical mouth washes, which can encourage bacteria to return
in greater numbers.
Foot soother:
Peppermint’s stimulating qualities makes it a favorite in
foot care preparation. It will soothe weary feet, leaving them feeling tingly
and refreshed. It will also relieve aches and pain. Peppermint in cool water is
a perfect foot bath for a hot dry season’s day.
How to use: Add
five (5) drops of peppermint to warm water and soak your feet for 10 minutes.
Regular use may also help to combat excessive odor and sweating.
Hair and scalp
tingle:
Mint-based hair products are excellent for making hair
squeaky clean. Many also contain tingly menthol to put the zing back to your
scalp; they also have a cooling effect and will help rid hair off of excess
oil. Peppermint oil stimulates blood supply to hair follicles and soothes and
refreshes the scalp; leaving an itching, flaking scalp calm, de-sensitized and
moisturized.
Stomach calmer:
The aroma of mint activates the saliva gland and produce
digestive enzymes. As a result our digestion becomes easier.
How to use: To
get the properties of mint, pour warm water along with a few leave of mint.
Take a few moments and enjoy mint tea to cope with stomach pain and digestion.
Pain killer:
You can also take advantage of the warm mint to freshen up
your leg muscles.
How to use: mix 1
cup sea salt, 1/3 cup olive oil, and 6 drops of peppermint oil. Rub in the foot
a few moments then rinse. Sea salt will remove dead skin cells while menthol
aromas will relieve muscle pain.
Taking herbal mint tea may reduce irritable bowel syndrome
IBS and also relieve abdominal pain.
When applied topically, headaches will also be reduced.
Germicidal:
The menthol found in
peppermint is actively germicidal. In laboratory studies, peppermint oil kills
several type of bacteria and the herpes of simplex virus, which causes cold
sores and genital herpes. These findings seem to validate peppermint’s
traditional roles in treating wounds and bronchitis.
Respiratory
decongestant:
The menthol in peppermint helps relieves nasal, sinus and
chest congestion. Mint is an effective remedy for cold, primarily because of
its decongestant action. Additionally, it is an effective cough suppressant.
The use of mint on a regular basis may help asthma because
it can provide relaxation and help relieve breathing.
An Article by Published:
Ifeoma chukuwma. (Ph.D) Ethnomedicine.
Source: Sunnewsonline.com
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