Mint Leaves (2024)

FAQs

What is mint leaf good for? ›

Eating fresh or dried leaves: Used to treat bad breath. Inhaling essential oils: May improve brain function and cold symptoms. Applying it to the skin: Used to reduce nipple pain from breastfeeding. Taking capsules with food: May help treat IBS and indigestion.

Mint leaves are generally safe for consumption, however people with gastroesophageal reflux disease should minimize the consumption as it may cause stomach irritation. Menthol oil is contraindicated in children to use topically as it may cause breathing difficulties.

Drinking mint water can help you stay hydrated and may even help you lose weight — if it replaces higher calorie beverages in your diet. Some people also find mint water helps ease side effects of indigestion like gas and bloating.

Medicinal Use of Mint Plants

Mint has been long known as an herbal remedy, easing queasy stomachs, calming stress and anxiety, and promoting restful sleep. Peppermint tea has long been viewed as an excellent way to ease an upset stomach, calm the digestive tract, and alleviate indigestion, gas, and cramps.

However, if your symptoms of indigestion are related to a condition called gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD, you should not use peppermint (see "Precautions" section).

People with GERD should avoid mint and mint water, as they can trigger their symptoms. When consumed in large amounts, mint may cause adverse effects. Peppermint oil on the skin can cause irritation and rashes. It should not be applied to the face.

Mint leaves are low in calories making them a great choice for adding flavour to your meals without significantly increasing your calorie intake. Mint tea may help lose belly fat and satisfy tea cravings.

Consuming 12-15 fresh mint leaves daily is the best way. You can even consume them by adding them to detox water, herbal teas, yogurt, smoothies, salads, soups, dips and sauces, etc.

Allergies to mint occur rarely. In people who are allergic to mint, the herb may trigger asthma. Rarely, the consumption of fresh mint leaves or mint oil can cause allergic reactions. When taken in large amounts, the menthol in mint may cause heartburn, nausea, abdominal pain, and dry mouth.

Can I drink mint leaves everyday? ›

While mint is safe for most people, you should always check with your doctor before including it in your diet. Some studies have shown that while drinking mint water promotes digestion, it may worsen the symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

It seems that peppermint has a lowering effect on the heart rate and the systolic blood pressure.

Benefits of mint for liver

Mint is known to effectively boot the performance of the liver. Owing to the presence of nutritional essential oils and properties such as relaxing and soothing, mint is a highly beneficial herb to enhance the liver strength.

Mint is a popular herb that may possess potential health benefits. This may include helping with digestive health, reducing allergic symptoms, and soothing common cold symptoms. Mint or mentha belongs to the Lamiaceae family, which contains around 15–20 plant species, including peppermint and spearmint.

An ancient herb that has been used for thousands of years for both culinary and medicinal purposes, mint keeps unhealthy cravings at bay, helps you lose weight, maintains electrolyte balance, regulates body temperature and maintains your energy levels throughout the day.

For these reasons, you should take herbs with care, under the supervision of a health care provider. DO NOT take peppermint or drink peppermint tea if you have gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD -- a condition where stomach acids back up into the esophagus), or hiatal hernia.

While there are no set guidelines regarding how many cups of peppermint tea you should have a day, most studies recommend 2-3 cups, with a few researchers suggesting that drinking up to 4-5 cups may be fine as well. Because peppermint tea contains no caffeine, it can be consumed in the evening.