What are the benefits and effects of mint leaves?
Nov 15, 2024
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Yang Ziqi
Introduction
Mint leaves are pungent and dispersing, cool in nature and heat-clearing, thus providing certain relief for symptoms such as external wind-heat invasion, fever, and headache. They are commonly used to treat discomforts at the early stage of wind-heat type cold, including fever, headache, and sore throat. When crushed and applied topically to the skin, mint leaves produce a cooling effect and help relieve itching, inflammation, and pain. The catechol acid contained in mint leaves is an effective anti-inflammatory agent.
Mint leaves are the leaves of the mint plant and have various medicinal properties and benefits, such as dispelling wind-heat, clearing the head and eyes, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects, refreshing the mind, and relieving stress. The analysis is as follows:
1. Dispelling Wind-Heat
Mint leaves have a pungent and dispersing nature with cooling properties that clear heat. They can help alleviate symptoms of external wind-heat invasion, such as fever and headache. Mint is commonly used to treat early-stage wind-heat colds characterized by fever, headache, and sore throat.
2. Clearing the Head and Eyes
The aromatic nature of mint helps open the orifices, effectively clearing the head and eyes and benefiting the throat. It can improve symptoms such as headache, dizziness, red and watery eyes, and sore throat.
3. Antibacterial and Anti-inflammatory Effects
When crushed and applied topically to the skin, mint leaves produce a cooling sensation and offer anti-itching, anti-inflammatory, and pain-relieving effects. The catechol acid contained in mint leaves acts as an effective anti-inflammatory agent, while menthol, an extract from mint leaves, has strong antibacterial properties.
4. Refreshing the Mind
Mint leaves contain special compounds such as menthol and isomenthol, which can stimulate the brain and promote blood circulation, thereby helping to refresh and invigorate the mind.
5. Relieving Stress
Mint leaves can help relieve irritability and insomnia, improve depressive moods, and promote a sense of physical and mental well-being, thus aiding in reducing work-related and daily life stress.
Women who are breastfeeding, pregnant, or planning pregnancy should use mint leaves cautiously, as mint has certain stimulating effects that may reduce milk production in nursing mothers and possess anti-early pregnancy and anti-implantation effects.
