Health Benefits of Peppermint/Pudina

Page Content >>>

Peppermint or Pudina, as it is known in Hindi, besides adding aroma and flavour to food preparations, offers amazing health benefits too.

Peppermint is one of the species of the mint herb. It is a cross between watermint and spearmint. The flavor of peppermint is more prominent as compared to spearmint because of the high concentration of menthol.

Also known as Mentha piperita, peppermint probably has the highest antioxidant capacity, compared to other foods and is extensively used in the traditional herbal medicine practices, across cultures.

Nutritional Facts

Peppermint/Pudina contains trace amounts of iron, potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, calcium, and vitamin A & C.

Nutritive value of 100 gm of peppermint contains 37 calories, 5.89 gm of dietary fiber, 4.66 gm of proteins, 2.39 gm of carbohydrates, 0.65 gm of fat, 17.16 mg of vitamin C, 539 mg of potassium, 205 mg of calcium, 8.56 mg of iron and 10.79 mg of sodium.

Possible Health Benefits of Peppermint/Pudina…

1/6. Promotes digestion

1. Menthol, the active oil in pudina possesses antibacterial and antiseptic properties that help ameliorate indigestion.

2. Peppermint is a soothing herb that calms an upset stomach. Pudina increases bile secretion, speeding, and easing digestion.

3. Peppermint speeds up the quick movement of the food through the stomach, ameliorating digestive symptoms linked with indigestion.

2/6. Treats asthma

Pudina possesses anti-inflammatory and relaxant properties which help offer relief in asthma. It reduces congestion of the nasal pipe.

3/6. Treats common cold

1. Menthol, an active oil present in pudina, is an aromatic decongestant which breaks up the mucus and phlegm, making it comfortable to expectorate.

2. The anti-inflammatory effects of peppermint reduce the irritation produced by chronic coughing.

3. Menthol extract clears congestion of the throat, nose, bronchi, and lungs; enhances nasal breathing.

4. Peppermint aids in soothing the effects of several respiratory complaints and common cold.

4/6. Prevents allergies

Rosmarinic acid, an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent present in peppermint is effective in reducing seasonal allergy symptoms.

5/6. Promotes skin health

1. The anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial effects of mint are effective in acne-prone skin. It is a customary treatment for pimples and acne.

2. The high content of salicylic acid present in pudina helps in combating acne.

3. Pudina offers clearer and youthful skin because of the high amount of antioxidants present which prevents free radical activity.

4. The antipruritic and antiseptic effects of pudina, cures skin infections, acne, and itching.

5. The juice derived from pudina is useful as a skin cleanser.

6. The soothing and calming effect of pudina helps in soothing insect bites, rash, or other reactions.

6/6. Other possible benefits

Apart from the above-mentioned health benefits pudina further produces few more health benefits namely, cures headache, aids weight loss, improves brain power, eases symptoms of morning sickness or nausea, beats stress and depression.

Also helps with stomach disorders, possesses immune-boosting properties, helps protect against harmful bacteria,prevents gas and flatulence, relieves pain, manages gastrointestinal problems, improves irritable bowel syndrome, decreases breastfeeding pain, and mask bad breath.

Peppermint probably has the highest antioxidant capacity, compared to other foods. Peppermint is extensively used in the traditional herbal medicine practices, across cultures.

How to use Pudina?

There are various ways in which pudina can be used. Some of them are as follows:

In Mint tea.
As Capsules.
In toothpaste.
In medicines.
In cosmetics.
For garnishing.
As Mint ointments.
As a flavouring agent.
As fresh or dried leaves.
In soups, salads, chutney, etc.
In shampoos, soaps, skincare products, etc.

How to make Peppermint Tea?

2 cups of water are to be taken and boiled.

Take four or five peppermint leaves and tear them. Add these leaves into the water.

Cover the pot and let the leaves stay there for approximately 5 minutes.

Now, strain the peppermint tea into a mug.