Peppermint magic: Unlocking the lesser-known benefits of those little green leaves

Do you know what makes your mornings fresh as soon as you wake up rubbing your eyes and head to the washroom to brush your teeth? Often, it’s not the screaming alarm clock or the splash of cold water – but the toothpaste! Yes, it’s the toothpaste, or especially – the taste of the toothpaste! Do you know, what’s the most popular flavour of the most sold toothpastes? It’s the minty one!
Like everything in the world these days, toothpastes are available in a range of flavours, too! But if there’s one that has always remained popular, it has to be mint.
Why? Well, because mint is not just another interesting flavour to add to toothpaste that keeps your mouth fresh. It helps keep your teeth and mouth healthy.

Mentha, also known as mint, is a genus of flowering plants in the mint family, Lamiaceae. They are aromatic, almost exclusively perennial herbs.
Its name was derived from the Greek mythological figure Minthe, a nymph who was transformed into the fragrant plant. For millennia, mint has been used as a symbolism of hospitality. In ancient Greece, it was rubbed on tables to welcome visitors.
Apart from amping up the hospitality factor, mint has several other benefits as well. It is a fragrant and delicious plant that is an ingredient in many foods and beverages. It also has health benefits that may include relieving indigestion, improving brain function, and masking bad breath.

Peppermint, one of the many species in the mint family, is a hybrid species of mint, a cross between watermint and spearmint. Indigenous to Europe and the Middle East, the plant is now widely spread and cultivated in many regions of the world. It is occasionally found in the wild with its parent species. Peppermint is one of the most popular amongst the min family and it is a multi-purpose herb that has been used in the health, culinary, and beauty & wellness industries around the world.

Peppermint, that is a popular flavouring for gum, toothpaste, and tea, is also used to soothe an upset stomach or to aid digestion. It has a calming and numbing effect, and is often used to treat headaches, skin irritation, nausea, diarrhea, menstrual cramps, flatulence, and anxiety associated with depression. Here is a comprehensive list of several benefits of peppermint:
Mouth freshener: A combination of peppermint, tea tree oil, and lemon oil can improve breath smell. Its anti-inflammatory properties help reduce inflammation in the gums. Moreover, the antibacterial properties of peppermint oil help keep plaque problems away, giving you fresh breath and a healthy mouth.
Muscle aches and joint pain: Peppermint can be used topically to help with muscle aches and joint pain. It has both analgesic and anesthetic properties that can help reduce the inflammation in the tissues and joints, which is the primary cause of pain. You can use peppermint oil to treat pain in the knees, neck, back, etc.

Headaches: Peppermint can help soothe headaches. The cooling properties of menthol help relax muscles and stimulate blood flow to the affected area, relieving pain.
Digestive issues: Peppermint oil can help with nausea and digestive issues like indigestion, heartburn, or acid reflux. Peppermint oil can help relieve symptoms like pain, bloating, diarrhea, and gas.
Nausea: Peppermint can relieve nausea, especially for people undergoing chemotherapy. It can also help open nasal passages and loosen mucus in the lungs. Peppermint also helps prevent sickness and is an ingredient in chest rubs.

Skin health: Peppermint oil can reduce the severity of itchy skin. Peppermint is one of the best essential oils for oily skin. The overproduction of sebum in oily skin can clog the pores, making them appear larger than their normal size. Peppermint oil helps regulate oil production and tightens pores. It also helps fight acne-causing bacteria, keeping acne at bay.
Hair health: Peppermint oil can stimulate circulation to the scalp and increase follicle depth. Peppermint essential oil benefits those with dandruff big time! Bacterial and fungal growth on the scalp are significant reasons for dandruff. Peppermint oil has antibacterial and antifungal properties that can help soothe an itchy scalp and prevent dandruff.
Energy:Peppermint tea can help promote clarity, focus, concentration and overall well-being. Applying peppermint oil can awaken your senses, relieve fatigue, and give you a quick boost of energy. Blend one drop of peppermint oil with 2 drops of cold-pressed coconut oil and apply on the back of your neck. It will help invigorate the senses and energise your body and mind.