Mighty Mint!

Peppermint is a beloved flavor of the holiday season. Peppermint finds its way into just about every Christmas treat imaginable – candy canes, peppermint Bark, peppermint cookies, peppermint candies, peppermint hot chocolate, peppermint cocktails, and more. Why is it so popular? The flavor of mint can cut through the richer flavors associated with food eaten during the holiday season. It’s a palette cleanser of sorts. Mint leaves behind a cool sensation in the mouth and, as Christmas is associated with snow and ice, this seems to make sense as the flavor of snow.

Peppermint is not just for treats – there are many health benefits of this minty herb! Peppermint also works as an anti-inflammatory agent and it can relieve indigestion — quite helpful as we begin the annual Christmas binge. Peppermint oil has been shown to relax muscles in your digestive system and improve various digestive symptoms. Therefore, peppermint tea may provide similar benefits. As peppermint acts as a muscle relaxant and pain reliever, it may diminish certain types of headaches. The menthol in peppermint oil increases blood flow and provides a cooling sensation, possibly easing pain. Peppermint, of course, freshens breath and the peppermint oil itself has been shown to kill germs that lead to bad breath.

Peppermint has antibacterial, antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties. Because of this, peppermint tea may fight clogged sinuses due to infections, the common cold and allergies. Additionally, research demonstrates that menthol — one of the active compounds in peppermint — improves the perception of airflow in your nasal cavity. Therefore, steam from peppermint tea may help you feel as though your breathing is easier. Compounds found in peppermint oil help perk you up, which has been shown to relieve fatigue and daytime sleepiness. Along the same vein, peppermint oil may help increase alertness and memory, which may improve concentration. Now that you know what wonderful health benefits that peppermint has, Private Home Health Care invites you to eat as many peppermint flavored foods as you can!