Mint: medicinal properties and contraindications for the human body

Gardeners talk a lot about the healing properties and contraindications of mint. The well-known grass grows on every site. Mint tea is an integral part of the country menu.

Ogorodnikov is pleased with the unpretentiousness of fragrant grass. It is planted once, and then for many years they try to limit the spontaneous spread. An additional value of the plant is the attraction of pollinating insects. The cucumber bed next to the mint is stunning with an abundance of ovaries.

Beautiful gardeners use grass for beauty treatments. The infusion frozen in cubes has the property of toning the skin of the face and narrowing the pores.

There are many kinds of fragrant plant. They differ in the color of the leaves, the height of the stem, the saturation of the smell, the astringency of the taste. Gardeners can always choose a variety suitable for growing. But the most useful is peppermint. It is in it that the active components are combined in the required proportions.

Chemical composition and calorie content of grass

The characteristic smell of peppermint is due to the essential oil present in it (2%). It consists of cineole, pulegone, apinene, limonene. People perceive the combination of chemical compounds as a “minty” smell. Another plant contains:

• menthol (esters of isovaleric and acetic acids);
• vitamins (B, A, C, PP);
• flavonoids;
• bitter;
• tannins;
• organic acids;
• copper, iron, manganese, strontium (trace elements);
• phosphorus, potassium, calcium, sodium, magnesium (macronutrients).

100g mint contains: 0.94g fat, 3.75g protein, 79g water, 7g carbohydrates, 8g dietary fiber (fiber).

Due to the unique composition, active effects on the body and properties, peppermint is recognized as a medicinal plant. Gardeners have not only a honey plant in their garden, but also a useful tool They can provide first aid or cure some diseases with natural and tasty grass.

Healing and beneficial properties of the plant

Peppermint contains significant amounts of menthol. This determines the use of the plant for medicinal purposes. The herb's properties determine its range of uses:

1. The benefits of mint as a sedative are known to all summer residents. It is worth brewing tea, drinking it with a spoonful of honey - and nervous excitement disappears.
2. Lotions from the infusion of herbs relieve pain from bruises and sprains.
3. When used regularly, the decoction has the property of relieving the gardener of migraines and headaches.
4. An infusion of fresh or dried mint leaves has healing properties. It improves digestion.
5. Eating the herb cures flatulence, vomiting, diarrhea.
6. Inhalations help relieve cough, relieve swelling of the nasopharynx.
7. Mint tea removes water from the body. This facilitates the work of the cardiovascular system.
8. Herbal preparations have a choleretic property.
9. Toothache is relieved by gargling with warm mint infusion.
10. Tea and fresh grass have the ability to activate the brain.
11. Menthol has the property of an anesthetic: it excites the nerve endings, there is a feeling of cold. Small vessels constrict. Pain decreases.

Regular use of mint (fresh, dried, tea, infusions or decoctions) is good for he alth: the plant tends to tone the body and strengthen the immune system. Unpretentious grass gives gardeners cheerfulness and good mood.

Use in traditional medicine

It is impossible to imagine folk medicine without mint preparations. Features of the herb are revealed in tea, decoctions, infusions, oil. Peppermint is eaten fresh (salads) or dried (spices).

The medicinal properties of aromatic herbs can reduce the symptoms of colds, flu. Mint improves the functioning of the cardiovascular system, relieves pain.

Bunches of mint hanging in the room freshen the air. Essential oils have the ability to calm the nervous system, improve sleep. The gardener falls asleep faster in this bedroom.

Essential oil

Produced by distillation of peppermint. The drug has antimicrobial and antiviral properties. The oil helps to get rid of heart pain (it includes Valocordin). Effectively cures colds, flu. Increases expectoration when coughing.

Recipes have been used in folk medicine:

• when you have a cold, lubricate the wings of the nose;
• rubbing temples for headaches;
• with rhinitis inhalation with a solution of a glass of water and 2-3 drops of oil.

Indigestion is treated by taking kefir with 2 drops of oil.

Features of peppermint oil are used in aromatherapy. Water is poured into the phyto-lamp with 3-4 drops of the product. A burning candle is placed below. When the water evaporates, the room is filled with a mint aroma. The gardener rests and relaxes after a hard day's work.

Infusion and decoction

Drugs differ in preparation technology:

1. For infusion 2 tablespoons of fresh (or 1 dried) mint leaves are poured into a glass of hot water. Wrap and leave to cool. Strain.
2. For a decoction, pour 2 tablespoons of fresh (or 1 dry) raw material into a glass of cold water. Heat under a lid in a water bath until boiling. Strain and cool.

Means are stored in the refrigerator for no more than a day: with longer storage, the beneficial properties of the plant disappear.A decoction of the plant is usedin the treatment of respiratory diseases (rinsing, ingestion and inhalation), problems of the digestive tract, cardiovascular diseases.

Features of the infusion are used to relieve the symptoms of arthritis. A glass of funds is poured into a warm bath. Appointment time - 30 minutes.

Peppermint spirit tincture

To prepare the product, 100 g of crushed fresh peppermint leaves are poured into 0.5 liters of vodka. Keep in a dark cool place for 3 weeks. Shaken every week. Then they filter. The finished product is stored in the refrigerator.

The tincture has pain-relieving and relaxing properties. It is rubbed into the skin with bruises. With toothaches, rinsing from a teaspoon of tincture and a glass of warm water is effective. Spasms in the intestines are relieved by taking a glass of water with 15 drops of tincture before meals.

Peppermint tea

For cooking use black, green tea or herbal preparations based on chamomile, thyme, rosehip. Peppermint leaves are added to the main tea leaves. Pour hot water (80 degrees Celsius), insist. Add lemon or honey before drinking.

This drink has properties to quench thirst, soothe. In the heat, tea is consumed chilled, with the addition of pieces of ice. In winter and autumn, the drink warms and restores strength. It should be drunk after physical and mental stress.

For women, a drink with mint helps to improve the condition during menstruation and menopause.

Mint in cooking

The unique properties of the plant are used in cooking. Dried grass is used as a seasoning in the composition of Provence herbs. It flavors meat and fish dishes. Fresh leaves are added to vegetable and seafood salads.

Peppermint ice cream and sorbet are great refreshing in the heat. Aromatic oil is added to alcoholic cocktails. Dishes are decorated with original leaves.

Mint in cosmetology

Body care uses mint's soothing, anti-inflammatory properties. Lotion wipe acne inflamed skin. Peppermint oil masks strengthen hair and restore shine.

Daily rubbing with mint ice on the skin of the face will eliminate fine wrinkles, increase skin elasticity. The whitening property of the herb is used to get rid of annoying age spots.

Rinsing the mouth with infusion or decoction effectively refreshes and disinfects the oral cavity. The whitening property of the plant is used to return teeth to their original color: just add oil to toothpaste.

Contraindications and possible harm to the body

The properties of peppermint are used to treat many diseases. But before you start using it, you should familiarize yourself with the contraindications. Grass is harmful to people with low acidity of gastric juice. The plant has the ability to reduce it.

The plant should not be used:

• gardeners with varicose veins;
• sexually active men;
• drivers or people with professions that require increased attention and concentration;
• hypotonic patients;
• women undergoing fertility treatment;
• children under 12.

It is recommended to start taking the remedy with small doses due to a possible allergic reaction. It is important for gardeners to remember: successful treatment lies in the competent and moderate use of the properties of mint.

How to properly prepare raw materials

The most useful raw material is at the beginning of the flowering of the plant. It should be collected in dry weather in the morning (after the dew has dried) or in the evening (before it falls). It is recommended to cut the stems at a height of 10-15 cm. Raw materials must be tied into loose bundles and hung in the shade (under a canopy, in a barn, on a veranda).

Dried plants should be poured into glass jars with ground-in lids. Store in a dark, cool place.

Alcohol tincture retains its beneficial properties throughout the year. It can also be prepared in the summer and used as needed.

Peppermint oil is difficult to make at home. It is sold in pharmacies.

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