PEPPERMINT / essential oil / herbal tea : Benefits in 8 minutes !
You will find in this Youtube video and in this health and wellness blog article :
- The active ingredients of peppermint
- The virtues of peppermint, how does peppermint work?
- The uses of peppermint: hair growth, ...
- The benefits of peppermint essential oil
- What are the side effects of peppermint?
- Contraindications and dangers of peppermint
- The benefits of peppermint infusions, how to consume peppermint?
Peppermint is a plant known for its effects on digestion, but it also has other very interesting health benefits.
The active ingredients of peppermint
To begin with, let me remind you that there are several types of mint: spearmint (mostly used in cooking or as a tea) and peppermint (darker leaves turning red) which is used in herbal medicine, because it is richer in active ingredients.
Peppermint is rich in vitamins of the A, B9, C and E groups as well as in trace elements and minerals such as calcium, iron, manganese and magnesium.
This plant contains antioxidants of the polyphenol family, flavonoids and carotenoids such as beta-carotene.
The active substances of peppermint are menthol and menthone. These substances have an antispasmodic (against spasms) and analgesic (reduces pain) action.
The virtues of peppermint, how does peppermint act?
When peppermint is applied to the skin, it brings a sensation of cold that helps fight against pain. In Japan, it is used as a patch to reduce fever.
Peppermint also has properties of decongestant, disinfectant for the mouth (it fights against infections and bad breath) and diuretic (it facilitates the elimination of urine).
Uses of the peppermint
The dry leaves of peppermint can be consumed in infusion to limit the spasms.
Peppermint essential oil is used in inhalation to clear the airways during a cold for example, but also by rubbing it on the temples to fight against headaches or on the muscles to reduce muscle pain, it also promotes hair growth and regrowth.
Peppermint is often used in cosmetic products to give a purifying, refreshing and healing effect.
It is a beneficial plant for people who suffer from chronic inflammation of the intestine or irritable bowel, it limits the appearance of disorders associated with these diseases such as bloating, spasms and abdominal pain.
It also facilitates digestion and fights against the appearance of nausea.
The benefits of peppermint essential oil
The essential oil of peppermint can be consumed in tablets or in gastro-resistant capsules (not deteriorated by the acidity of the stomach). Be aware that in France the essential oil is not available in this form.
If you ever consume medication based on peppermint essential oil in oral form (tablets, capsules, ...), you should not go beyond 3 months of treatment.
In ingestion, the essential oil can be consumed (2 to 4 drops) by diluting it in another vegetable oil.
Contra-indications and dangers of peppermint
In ingestion, the essential oil of peppermint is contraindicated in people who suffer from gallstones (it promotes the release of bile), as well as in pregnant women, women who are breastfeeding and children.
The intake of the essential oil in ingestion must be reserved for the adults.
In case of overdose of peppermint essential oil, skin rash, dizziness, headache, decreased heart rate, seizures or agitation may occur. It is therefore imperative to contact the doctor quickly.
Peppermint can also cause increased blood pressure, digestive disorders and headaches as side effects.
Peppermint can interact with many medications if consumed in large quantities over the long term, especially in the form of essential oil.
In particular, it interacts with heart medications. It is very important to inform your doctor if you wish to use this plant on a regular basis or as an essential oil. Peppermint can also decrease the absorption of iron.
The use of the essential oil is contraindicated in pregnant women, especially in the first months of pregnancy, because of its high risk of abortion and in women who are breastfeeding, as well as in children under 12 years of age and children who are prone to convulsions.
Finally, the essential oil should not be used even in local application in children under 12 years, there is a strong risk of spasms of the larynx (choking). In local application, this essential oil can irritate the eyes, it is recommended to wash the hands after its use.
What are the side effects of peppermint?
I draw your attention to the fact that the consumption of tablets or capsules with a high concentration of peppermint or its essential oil can cause complications in people who suffer from ulcers or heartburn.
The essential oil can also be used as an inhalation to purify and clear the airways by pouring 3 to 4 drops of the essential oil into a large bowl of warm water and inhaling the vapors.
The benefits of peppermint infusions, how to consume peppermint?
In infusion, it is enough to put 5 g to 6 g of the dry powder in a large glass of hot water, to let infuse 10 minutes then to drink the drink. It is possible to take it 3 times a day at most.
It should be noted that peppermint infusions are contraindicated for children under 5 years of age.
In local application, it is imperative to mix peppermint essential oil with another vegetable oil such as sweet almond oil for example before applying it to the skin to avoid any risk of burning.
To limit the risk of allergy, it is advisable to apply a small amount on a small area of the skin (outside the face and sensitive parts) and see what happens, if ever an allergic reaction appears (redness, itching, pimple, ...), you must avoid using it.
Dr Noura Marrai (Doctor of Pharmacy, YouTuber Health, creator of the health well-being Pharmaquiz application),
Pharmaquiz YouTube channel:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3CzlCm-0Yh7-lYM6K2SfVg?sub_confirmation=1
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