The aromatic, delicate and refreshing aroma of mint is familiar to everyone.
The plant is very relaxing, it is added to tea to calm the nervous system.
Mint, whose beneficial properties were known in antiquity, has unique properties.
It is used in cooking, traditional medicine and even cosmetology. However, peppermint still has several contraindications, they must be known in order to avoid unpleasant consequences.
Peppermint composition
Often the question arises as to why a person needs to include mint in his diet. The plant contains components of natural origin, which saturate with its healing properties.
The composition of mint includes the following components:
• menthol;
• routine;
• tannins;
• carotene;
• vitamin C;
• phytosterols.
Mint: beneficial properties of the plant
Mint is included in the composition of not only traditional medicine, but is also often used in official pharmacology. The range of applications of the plant is really wide. Mint has practically no contraindications, which makes it a universal "home doctor".
Mint: useful properties
1. Allows you to normalize blood pressure, while expanding blood vessels and even stabilizes heart rate.
2. Quickly relieves any cough, soothes a sore throat.
3. Helps to cope with insomnia, mint tea soothes the nervous system and tones.
4. Relieves headaches.
5. Relieves gum disease, disinfects the oral cavity, and retains fresh breath for a long time.
6. If you regularly add mint to the diet, you can significantly reduce the risk of cancer.
7. Mint is recommended for women during menopause and the menstrual cycle, as it relieves pain and soothes.
8. Helps strengthen the immune system, improves the body's resistance to bacteria.
9. A weak decoction of peppermint saves a woman from toxicosis in early pregnancy.
However, you need to remember that peppermint still has contraindications. Before using the medicinal properties of the plant, you need to carefully study the pros and cons.
Peppermint: beneficial properties and recipes of alternative medicine
1. Fragrant tea to enhance immunity. A drink with menthol herb soothes the nervous system, especially recommended before bedtime and with colds. To make tea you need to finely chop 4-5 leaves of fresh mint and pour them with boiling water (200 ml). Such a drink should be drunk no more than 2 times a day.
2. Therapeutic infusion. 1 tablespoon of dry chopped plants is poured with boiling water (250 ml). The container is removed in a dark place until completely cooled. The drink is filtered and consumed 2 times a day before meals. It is believed that this is an excellent prevention of gastritis. Also, peppermint infusion will help stop vomiting, give the oral cavity a pleasant freshness for a long time.
3. Mint, the useful properties of which are very much appreciated in folk medicine, is used to prepare female home healing broth. You need 2 tablespoons of dry grass to fill with plain water (500 ml), boil for 10 minutes and insist for half an hour. A strained drink is consumed 1 tablespoon 3 times a day before meals. The tool relieves menopause, relieves pain during menstruation.
4. Alcohol tincture. A teaspoon of dry menthol herb is poured with 100 ml of alcohol. The container with the product is removed for a week in a dark place. Medicinal infusion is intended for external use. With a headache, he rubs his temples.
5. Peppermint essential oil, which has practically no contraindications, perfectly treats coughs and colds. It is also able to relieve bloating and relieve heartburn. It is enough to drop one drop of oil in 50 ml of water, just dissolve a piece of sugar and consume as needed.
Application in home cosmetology
At home, mint can be used not only for treatment, but also to maintain its external beauty. The unique composition of the plant tones and disinfects the skin.
Recipes "home beautician"
1. Lotion with a tonic effect. 1 tablespoon of dry mint is poured with 250 ml of water, boiled over low heat for 15-20 minutes. When the product has cooled, it must be filtered and the lotion is ready. They are advised to wipe their face 3-4 times a day.
2. Alcohol tincture of menthol herb perfectly helps against hair loss. It needs to be rubbed once a week into the scalp, distributed along the length of the curls. This mask lasts 20 minutes, then rinses off with shampoo.
3. A refreshing face mask. Grind fresh mint with a blender, mix with yogurt until gruel forms. The resulting mixture is applied to the face for 15 minutes, then washed off with cold water.
Peppermint has a contraindication for external use only - the presence of individual intolerance to the plant.
Cooking Application
Peppermint is often added to salads, saturates them with a special taste and aroma. Grass is also used for making sauces and refreshing drinks. There are many options for using mint in cooking, the useful properties of which are no longer in doubt, you just need to show your imagination.
1. A refreshing drink. 1 glass of lime, a little sugar and 2 small sprigs of fresh mint are added to a glass of sparkling water. Drink should be allowed to brew for 15 minutes in the refrigerator, then you can drink it. It perfectly tones and refreshes.
2. Few people use the mint jam recipe, but in vain, it turns out incredibly tasty and is not difficult to prepare. 300 grams of fresh grass should be poured with water (450 ml) and boiled for 10 minutes. After this day, you need to insist the mixture, the next day, boil it again, but with sugar (800 grams). To make the jam more flavorful, you can also add lemon zest there.
3. Greek sauce. The cucumber is peeled and rubbed on a fine grater and mixed with natural yogurt. There is added chopped garlic (5-6 cloves), mint (about 50 grams), salt to taste. Everything is thoroughly mixed until gruel is obtained. The sauce needs to be allowed to stand in the refrigerator for 2-3 hours, so that it is "full", then use it. Greek sauce goes well with any meat.
Peppermint: contraindications
Mint has many more beneficial properties than contraindications, but it is necessary to know some precautions to avoid unpleasant surprises.
1. If you are allergic to menthol, it is forbidden to use it in any form.
2. For children under 3 years old, mint is not recommended.
3. The plant reduces vascular tone, so it is not recommended for people with varicose veins.
4. Menthol herb lowers blood pressure, hypotonics should be used with caution.
5. Men are forbidden to consume mint often in large quantities, this leads to a decrease in potency.
Despite the benefits of peppermint, you can not abuse it, as a gag reflex and weakness can occur. Everything should be in moderation. If you strictly follow the recipes, menthol herb will saturate the body with useful trace elements, strengthen immunity and allow you to forget about what insomnia is.
