Mint. Its not just for your Mojitos.
The things you may know:
1) Mint is known for its ability to soothe the digestive tract and reduce severity and length of stomach pain
2) It makes a fantastic tea, mint and flavoring
3) Mint is widely used in heating/cooling topical preparations for pain relief. Menthol is composed of 24-48% peppermint oil.
Things you may not know!
1) Mint has studied and proven to have strong anti-fungal properties. Specifically against dermophytic fungi which cause athlete's foot and ringworm. No over the counter preparations are available to this effect however to my knowledge.
2) Mint has In vitro (work conducted with living organisms in their normal, intact state) shown anti-viral effects as well specifically against herpes and influenza virus.
3) Mint was featured in a study in 2001 which proved Mint to have anti-bacterial properties against several common pathogens such as E. Coli and MRSA.
4) Mint may have an additional benefit of soothing symptoms associated with gastrointestinal upset in patients with Irritable Bowel Syndrome.
Side Effects/Considerations:
1) In patients with Hiatal Hernia, heartburn or GERD (Gastroesophageal reflux disease) mint may cause relaxing of the diaphragm and worsening of pre-existing symptoms.
2) Mint applied topically especially in concentrated preparations may cause a tingling and burning feeling or contact dermatitis (rash)
3) Mint ingested may cause flushing or headache.
Mint.....Its whats good!
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