WELLNESS

A Pinch of Magical Mint

Spices can be the tiniest pinch on a plate, and yet when manipulated and concentrated, they can pack a huge wholistic punch. Their leaves, roots, and stems can carry minerals and other micronutrients that can alleviate common ailments. One such plant family that seasons plates and palates around the world is the mint family, formally known as the Lamiaceae family. This family has thousands of varieties that appear in almost every culinary tradition from Asia to Italy. When concentrated and properly prepared, the mints have benefits that are more than flavorful. The mints have documented uses as herbal agents to treat loss of appetite, aches and pains, respiratory ailments, nausea, and indigestion-related problems.

The most famous mint is peppermint. A cross breed of two other family members, this mint is commonly seen in candy, toothpaste, tea, and in the savory flavors coating dishes like lamb. Peppermint oil is where the plant’s power lies, specifically in its menthol content. Menthol has been the subject of medical research on many occasions, including a study from March 2018 published in the Pharmacology & Therapeutics Journal. This study demonstrated wide impacts on the accelerated speed of nerve and muscle impulses based on the application of the oil. Peppermint’s magic was further detailed in an October 2020 publication in Phytotherapy Research, which analyzes nineteen studies that were focused on the effects of peppermint oil on migraine headaches. The researchers concluded that the oil showed positive impacts on the treatment of acute episodes, pointing toward the high menthol content as the primary agent that produced reduced symptoms. This may be good news for 37 million Americans who suffer from migraine and possibly tension headaches who are looking for complementary treatments.

Rosemary is another popular mint similar to peppermint but without the menthol content. Uses of rosemary stretch from culinary flavoring on steak and chicken to the bathroom soap scents. Medical traditions dating back to the ancient Greeks and Italians have this mint stimulating hair growth and relieving a belly ache. These traditional uses are supported by a 2021 study, which reported it to have a positive impact on gastrointestinal health through decreased oxidative stress and inflammation in the GI tract. Int J Nutr. 2021; 6(4): 1–10.

Rosemary’s impact on hair growth and

The mints have documented uses as herbal agents to treat loss of appetite, aches, and pains.

care has also been the focus of research in relationship to male-pattern baldness. Rosemary oil demonstrated equivalent effects in regrowing hair to a standard market solution. When tested at six months, the researchers found that both treatments significantly increased the overall hair counts among the men studied and could be used to regrow hair. Rosemary has traditionally been used to decrease dandruff and skin irritation that causes dryness as well, making it a win for a balding head.

Lastly the Italian culinary basic, basil, is a mint as well. There are more than 40 different basil varieties grown around the world for their edible and medicinal uses. Like the other mints, essential oils can be extracted from the plant and used in soaps and cleaners to add a powerful antibacterial and anti-fungal property to any cleaning regime.

One variety of basil that has particular potential for medicinal use is holy basil or tulsi. In 1996, tulsi was found to have impacts on antidiabetic activity for non-insulin dependent type 2 diabetics. Consumption decreased fasting blood sugar levels, blood sugar levels after a meal, and urine blood sugar levels. Research in Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2017 analyzed 24 human studies that showed “tulsi is a safe herbal intervention that may assist in normalizing glucose, blood pressure, and lipid profiles, and dealing with psychological and immunological stress.” Furthermore, these studies indicate the daily addition of tulsi to the diet, and/or as an adjunct to drug therapy, can potentially assist in prevention or reduction of various health conditions and warrants further clinical evaluation.

A bit of minty magic has some tasty and extraordinary benefits, but before consuming these plants, make sure you are not on medications that potentially interact with them. The mints (including rosemary and peppermint) change how the liver breaks down medications and therefore it’s important to keep your doctor abreast of your usage prior to starting any complementary routine.

Nothing in the article constitutes medical advice. All medical advice should be sought from a medical professional.

EMILY REIBLEIN

Director-Health, Safety, Security and Environment (HSSE) Crowley Logistics