Mint (Pudina) Benefits and Side Effects

Bad breath or halitosis is a common condition that is caused due to certain foods and lifestyle habits such as smoking. Certain oral diseases may also cause bad breath. A clinical study reported that regular use of peppermint mouth rinse can reduce bad breath significantly. Chewing mint leaves, gargling with mint water or sugar-free mint chewing gums could also be effective in preventing bad breath.

There could be various reasons why someone gains weight. Some of the most common reasons include overeating, physical inactivity, and stress. So, one can easily lose weight by involving themselves in physical activities and making necessary changes to their diet plan. Including natural products and herbs such as mint to the diet can help one lose weight naturally.

A study shows that herbal teas such as peppermint tea increase fluid consumption which is very beneficial in maintaining a healthy weight. Furthermore, it increases the secretion of digestive juices which helps in weight loss by increasing metabolism.

Further research shows that including adaptogenic herbs such as mint can also aid in weight loss. 

(Read more: Diet chart for weight loss)

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Mint essential oils are often used in aromatherapy as a revitalizer and mood booster. Aromatherapy is a type of alternative therapy wherein the extract from herbs are inhaled through the mouth or nose. Some molecules from essential oils can get absorbed in the skin so they are also be applied topically to reap their health benefits. Rarely, these oils are consumed although it is not considered very safe to do this.

Research shows that mint oil can help improve brain functions and boosts memory. A study done on 144 people claims that peppermint oil aroma helped increase the memory and improves mood. Another study showed that inhaling mint oils during driving improved alertness and decreased frustration and fatigue in drivers.

Several studies have been done to test the amicrobial action of mint and mint oil. It has been found that mint extracts exhibit potent antibacterial action against a wide range of bacteria including Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. An older study suggests that mint essential oil has a chemical compound known as p-menthane which is an excellent antimicrobial.

According to a study published in the Arabian Journal of chemistry, the antimicrobial action of peppermint oil is similar to that of gentamycin (a well known antibacterial drug).

Candida albicans is a type of yeast that grows in the human gut. This fungus can cause urinary tract infection, digestive disorders, sinus infection and infection in the skin and nails. Peppermint oil is known for its antifungal properties. This activity of the peppermint oil is attributed to its inhibitory effects on yeast enzymes which play an important role in candida growth.

Painkillers are over-the-counter drugs that are effective against headache, menstrual cramps, body pain etc. But, like all other medicines, these medicines also come with side effects. Regular use of these painkillers can cause problems to the liver and kidneys. Due to side effects of these drugs, there has been a growing trend towards alternative therapies and herbal treatments.

Wild mint has been used as a painkiller by the local people of Turkey. Research suggests that mint can be an effective analgesic (painkiller). A study done on animal models showed that the menthol content of mint is responsible for its analgesic properties.

In a double-blind placebo, mint consumption has been found to be very beneficial in reducing period pain. which shows the potential of mint to be used as a painkiller without many side effects.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a condition that is characterised by abdominal discomfort, diarrhea, gas, and constipation. Research shows that mint can be effective to cure the symptoms of IBS. A review published in Phytomedicine suggests that peppermint oil is effective to ease the general symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome. Another study claims that peppermint oil helps relieve the pain caused due to IBS by interfering in certain pain stimulating pathways in the body.

Stress is a normal reaction of the body towards a threat or fear. But when someone feels stressed all the time, then that is something to worry about. Too much stress could lead to problems like hypertension, anxiety, headache etc. A preclinical study done to evaluate the effectiveness of mint as a stress reliever showed that there was a significant drop in the anxiety levels on consumption of mint extracts There was also a significant increase in the happiness hormone dopamine and mood-regulating hormone serotonin. However, more studies are needed to understand the effects of mint as an anti-stress agent in humans.

According to NIH, there has been an increase in the cases of common allergies in the last few decades. Allergies are the response to common airborne allergens like dust, pollens, and mold and it leads to symptoms like coughing, sneezing, and sinus infections.

Hay fever or allergic rhinitis is one such condition. It is caused by an allergic reaction to pollens or dust present in the air in certain months of the year. A preclinical study was conducted to identify how mint helps in relieving or reducing the nasal symptoms of allergic rhinitis. The results suggested that mint inhibits the release of allergy-causing compounds (histamines) thereby relieving the symptoms of rhinitis.

Another study suggests that the menthol present in mint helps in reducing nasal congestion, common cold, asthma etc. Additionally, the rosmarinic acid (RA) present in mint has also been reported to exhibit anti-allergen properties against seasonal allergic rhinoconjunctivitis that affects children.

(Read more: Types of allergic reactions)

Nipple pain and cracking are common among first time feeding mothers. This condition usually occurs in the first few weeks of breastfeeding and can be painful. Mint is a rich source of menthol which has been found to possess calming and numbing properties when applied externally.

Mint water is also known to exhibit some antibacterial property. Because of these properties, mint water is usually used externally to quickly heal skin wounds, itching, burns, and inflammation.

A study done on breastfeeding mothers showed that regular external application of peppermint water resulted in less or no nipple pain and it was also helpful in the prevention of nipple cracks. Since mint water is a natural substance, it is less likely to have adverse effects on the mother or the baby.

(Read more: Post pregnancy diet chart)

Cancer is a disease marked by an abnormal proliferation of body cells. In spite of so many available therapies, it continues to be one of the leading causes of death around the world.

Radiation therapy and chemotherapy, as treatments for cancer, are accompanied by their own set of side-effects. One major drawback of radiation therapy is that this method also harms the healthy tissues. A preclinical study showed that mint extract possesses radioprotective properties that can help protect the healthy tissue. This is attributed to the fact that mint possesses high levels of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties.

Another study showed that mint contains rosmarinic acid (RA), a natural antioxidant that is effective against different types of ailments and was particularly effective against human colon cancer cells.