What do you think of when you think of mint? Most of us think of peppermint sticks and other mint flavoured candies and desserts, but when a herbalist thinks of this common herb, he or she thinks of the power of mint for healing. Just how powerful is mint, though? Recent studies are discovering mint to be even more powerful than was formerly believed.
Nutrients Found in Peppermint
For starters, peppermint is surprisingly rich in nutrients. Aside from the essential oils (menthol, menthone and menthol acetate) that make it so effective at breaking up phelgm and thinning mucus when you have a cold or minor chest infection, peppermint also includes many important nutrients, including:
- Vitamins A, C, thiamin (B1), riboflavin (B2), B12 and K
- Calcium, copper, fluoride, iron, potassium, selenium and zinc
- Folic acid (particularly important for foetal development)
- Antioxidant compounds
The potent combination of essential oils and vitamins and minerals explains why mint has been a popular folk remedy for centuries and ingredient in over-the-counter medications for at least 100 years.
Peppermint tea has also been a traditional remedy for a variety of digestive complaints for centuries. More recently, researchers have discovered that peppermint oil supplements can significantly ease the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), a little understood disease that is on the rise in the developed world. According to an Italian study reviewed by Harvard Medical School, 75% of study participants experienced a "major reduction" in IBS symptoms. Researchers believe the essential oils in peppermint, particularly menthol, work by blocking calcium channels. This has the effect of relaxing the smooth muscles of the intestines. Because the oils can also relax the sphincter muscle that prevents stomach acid from entering the esophagus, enteric coated capsules, which dissolve in the intestines instead of the stomach, are advised for IBS sufferers and those who suffer from heartburn.
The Power of Mint
Another member of the mint family, skullcap barbat (scutellaria barbat), a herb used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), shows promise as an effective treatment for cancer. In a University of Salford study reported by BBC News, a research team headed by Professor Alan McGown found that a drug based on an extract of skullcap barbat shrank tumours in laboratory animals by starving the tumours of their blood supply.
Another study, reported in the Journal of Cancer Research and Therapeutics, indicates that mint may be able to ward off the harmful effects of radioactivity. The purpose of the study was to discover effective ways to protect cancer patients from the side effects of radiation therapy. Extracts of two types of mint, Mentha piperita and M. arvensis used on laboratory animals showed significant anti-radition effects. Researchers speculated that the "radioprotective effects are possibly due to free radical scavenging, antioxidant, metal chelating, anti-inflammatory, antimutagenic, and enhancement of the DNA repair processes."
While the final results are not in, it is clear that an herb with so many health benefits should be high on anyone's list of natural home remedies and that mint herbal tea is more than just a refreshing beverage. You can find many herbal extracts and herbal supplements here on NT Pages. As with any medication, you should get professional advice before using them for medicinal purposes. Some herbs, like some conventional medications may have side effects or contra-indications.
