From Weight Loss To Herbal Remedies- Give Mint A Try

When I worked as a makeup artist years ago we had this incredible mint cream in a bottle (It was made by Origins, I think) that we would use on our clients to relax them (thank goodness because there were some cranky ones). I remember that it did actually work and relaxed me too. I never thought about the effects of mint much until recently when I was at a friends house and was watching her pick some fresh mint that she had grown. It brought back memories of that fresh smelling mint cream so I decided to look into it and I am excited at what I have found. Mint works as an herbal remedy and has been shown to promote weight loss. Anything healthy that promotes weight loss and I am in-plus it can aid what might be ailing you!

Miracle Mint

**A whiff of peppermint may help you shed those unwanted pounds(this is easy! Hurrah!)-A study at Wheeling Jesuit University in West Virginia tracked 27 adults for two 5 day periods and found that those who wafted peppermint oil under their nose every two hours ate almost 350 calories less a day than non-sniffers. You can also try chewing mint leaves or a stick of mint-flavored gum. I think this may be one of my all time favorite weight loss tricks. It smells great, requires very little effort (with the exception of people wondering what you are sniffing at and looking at you suspiciously) and is healthy. ref-Good Housekeeping May 2008.

**Cures Afternoon Hunger Pangs-Try a sugar-free mint or even a chocolate mint for those chocolate lovers. The small portion and satisfying mint will help cure those afternoon hunger cravings without the big calories.

**Gets Rid Of Bad Breath-If you are looking to smooch with that special someone you may want to try a drop of peppermint pure essential oil on the tongue. It can freshen your breath quickly and naturally.

**-Apply fresh mint juice (can usually purchase mint juice at your local health food store) over the face every night for the treatment of acne, pimples, insect stings, eczema, scabies, & other skin infections.

**Swollen gums, mouth thrush or mouth ulcers-mix together 10ml (2 tsp) cognac or whisky, 5 drops mint oil and 300ml (1/2 pint) hot boiled water. Gargle with this several times throughout the day until finished, leaving the liquid in the mouth as long as possible each time. More here.

**Toothaches and headaches-Drinking 5 grams of fresh peppermint boiled in a cup of water with a pinch of salt is believed to relieve toothaches and headaches.

**Inhaling peppermint oil can help relieve severe nasal congestion, but should not be used too often. It can irritate your mucous membranes if used frequently. Young children should not use peppermint oil and nursing mothers should stay away from peppermint oil, as it can decrease your milk flow.

I think that we are going to grow some mint of our own (I hope I don't somehow kill it-I am just not good at growing things regardless of how hard I try) and make mint tea as well. It certainly can't hurt and will probably help in more ways than I know. I will never look at mint the same way again.

P.S. This week I have a great guest post by Christopher Warden, a New York City fitness professional and co-author of Unlock Your Strength (see widget on lower right) and am doing a review of one of my favorite websites. I hope you will check back for this exciting week at Health Nut Wannabee Mom!