Peppermint is one of the common aromatic herbs. It is characterized by its green leafy leaves. There are many varieties, most of which are old and some are annual. Peppermint is found in Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia, North America and other regions. peppermint herb tends to grow in the environment and moist soil, and is 10-120 cm in length, and is spread over large areas.
It is common to use mint leaves dry or fresh in the preparation of dishes of different foods and authorities, and used as one of the spices that are added to foods, and also used as an aromatic flavor of drinks and sweets, such as tea, juices and ice cream, is also a mint drink of the best drinks that earn the body activity and vitality and used to help To relax and fight exhaustion after hard working days.
Peppermint oil
Mint oil is extracted from the pneumatic parts of flowering mint herbs by evaporation distillation. Mint oil contains many compounds, notably Menthol, which accounts for 30-40% of the peppermint extract. Menthol is an oil-rich, It is an organic compound classified as secondary alcohol, known for its sedative and sedative properties, and is used in the manufacture of many preparations.
Benefits of peppermint oil
Man has known and used mint oil since ancient times, about 1000 years BC, where it was found in many pyramids of Egypt and used in Chinese and Japanese folk medicine, and currently enter the mint oil in the treatment of many health problems and diseases, including:
- Peppermint oil is used to relieve irritable bowel syndrome, bloating, indigestion, intestinal cramps, heartburn, diarrhea, nausea, and acts as a chaser for gases.
- Used to fight stress, fatigue, and improve the ability to concentrate and give a sense of vigor, vitality, and energy.
- Helps to relieve morning sickness.
- It helps in the treatment of oral infections, strengthens gums, fights bacteria in the mouth and tooth decay, and earns a breath of fresh breath. Therefore, it enters into the toothpaste industry for its property in the fight against decay and the killing of bacteria.
- Helps in the treatment of respiratory diseases such as influenza, sinusitis, bronchitis and others, and in such cases prefer boiling and inhalation of vapors rising from it.
- Helps in relieving cough and its severity. It acts as an emollient and solvent for sputum and enters the manufacture of some cough medicines for its ability to purify the chest and bronchi.
- Helps to treat menstrual and dysmenorrhea problems in women.
- Due to its characteristic in the cooling is used topically on the skin to treat sunburn and relieve skin irritation.
- Useful in the treatment of itching and skin sensitivity when used topically.
- Relieves headache and sister pain if the forehead is massaged.
- Peppermint oil is a powerful calming agent for nerves, and putting some of the points in the burner helps to soothe the air, fight insomnia, and help sleep and relax.
- It is an effective muscle relaxant, a pain killer and is used topically to treat muscle pain, backache and others.
- Topically used to relieve arthritis, rheumatism and nerve pain.
- Combats fatty secretions in the skin and protects them from grains and gives them freshness and vitality and protects them from pimples.
- It reduces the effects of insect and mosquito bites. It also acts as an insect repellent. Points can be placed in a small container near the window.
- Inhaling peppermint oil helps you feel full quickly and relieve eating, thus maintaining an ideal weight.
- Helps increase hair growth if the scalp is massaged with some points.
- Helps to fight dandruff, also reduces the secretion of fatty secretions produced by the scalp and works to cool them, and can be added drops on the lotion (shampoo).
- Putting drops of peppermint oil down the nasal cavity for a child with attention deficit and hyperactivity helps him concentrate and reduce his movement.
- Peppermint oil helps to relieve the pain of teething in infants when fat on the gums.
- Activates blood circulation and strengthens the immune system, and works to reduce fever.
- Helps athletes to relieve cases of muscle spasm, enter into many drugs used to this end.
Side effects of mint oil
Small doses of peppermint oil found in dietary supplements, lotions, and dermatological drugs are generally safe and do not lead to serious side effects. However, pregnant and lactating women are advised to avoid these products because there are no studies that confirm their safety in the fetus and the infant.
Side effects that may occur when using peppermint oil sensation of burning in the stomach or feeling burning sensation at the anus in case of diarrhea, and some people may suffer from sensitivities when using peppermint oil, and appear in the form of redness and ulcers in the mouth, Use it for people with allergies.
Peppermint oil may interfere with some medicines, may reduce the ability of the body to get rid of them, and thus cause the side effects of the drug, and therefore advised the patient who takes medications chronically to consult the doctor when using mint oil to make sure there is no conflict between him And between the drugs he is taking.