Discover 7 health effects of peppermint for children

In addition to being famous for being a miracle cure for the common cold, peppermint's effects on the health of young children are demonstrated in many other ways.

According to many studies, the health effects of peppermint on children are great. This herb contains so many healthy antioxidants. Want to add mint to your baby's foods but still have not fully understood the benefits of this herb, even though you have heard a lot? If so, please join aFamilyToday Health to continue with the following sharing for more useful information.

What herb is peppermint?

Mint (mint in English) is a herbaceous, perennial plant that is used as a spice vegetable and herb. The stalk is usually green or purple, the leaves are ovoid, elongated and serrated around the edges. When you smell mint leaves, you will see that this herb emits a very distinctive, fragrant, spicy, spicy, very seductive, sensory smell.

According to the researchers, peppermint contains very high levels of methol, about 40.7%. In addition, there are some other nutrients such as protein, beta-caryophyllene, limonene, beta-pinene, calcium, vitamins A, B6, C, D. Therefore, this herb is considered a valuable medicine. for human health, especially young children.

How to add mint to a child's diet?

Just like with other herbs, you can add mint to your baby's diet in a variety of ways. Peppermint has a very unique flavor, so it can be added to salads or mashed and processed with meat and fish to add flavor to the dish. In addition, you can also use mint leaves to decorate foods for children.

If your baby is over 8 years old, you can eat raw mint leaves. However, before feeding your baby, you need to wash it thoroughly. If you do not intend to use it immediately after purchase, you can store the mint leaves in the refrigerator.

In addition to the above recipes, you can also make mint tea for your baby to drink. This herbal tea is very good for the health of children because it has a calming effect on the nerves and helps children reduce anxiety and stress.

Mint soup is great for the day when a child has a cold or fever. Because this dish not only helps improve health but also helps children improve mood.

7 health effects of peppermint on children

Peppermint can provide your baby with many health benefits if added to his diet:

1. Prevent allergies

Peppermint is rich in antioxidants. In addition, peppermint contains an anti-inflammatory substance called rosmarinic acid. These substances will help your child fight allergy-related symptoms. For kids with seasonal allergies , regular mint consumption is good.

2. Treatment of the common cold

Peppermint has the effect of shrinking the swollen membranes in the nose, breaking down phlegm and mucus in the respiratory tract to be easily eliminated from the body. Therefore, this spice vegetable is considered to be a medicine that can improve the symptoms of stuffy nose, difficulty breathing caused by colds , flu. In addition, methol, the main chemical component of mint leaves, also helps with antibacterial and cough relief.

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3. Treatment of indigestion and flatulence

According to information from the University of Maryland Medical Center (UMM), USA, active ingredients in mint have the ability to soothe abdominal muscles, increase the rate of bile fluid circulation to enhance and accelerate digestion. Chemistry, improving indigestion symptoms for both children and adults. In addition, this herb also works to alleviate the discomfort caused by bloating and bloating.

4. Prevent irritable bowel syndrome

Studies have recognized that peppermint oil is effective in treating symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) in young children. In a clinical trial, patients with IBS syndrome were given peppermint oil capsules twice daily for 4 weeks. The results showed that there was a significant improvement in disease status, with 50% reduction in the total number of IBS symptoms.

5. Pain relief

The effect of peppermint oil is known to help relieve muscle pain or colic in young children. If your child has frequent stomach or stomach aches, giving him peppermint oil may help cope with the situation. This is an effective pain reliever and is considered a "natural aspirin" medicine for young children.

6. Good for the skin

The harmful effects outside the environment tend to have a negative impact on the soft skin of your baby. If you apply peppermint oil on your baby's skin regularly, it will soothe and help your baby's skin stay shiny and smooth. If your child has a burn or a rash, you can also try peppermint oil to treat your baby.

Baby skin care with peppermint oil is quite popular in many parts of the world. In particular, peppermint oil can help heal wounds caused by insect bites. Therefore, if you travel to the countryside or remote mountain forests, don't forget to bring mint oil for your baby.

7. Improve oral health

Thanks to its antibacterial and antifungal properties, peppermint is very helpful in preventing pests , bad breath, gum infections ... Children are very prone to tooth and gum problems because they love to eat sweets. . You can choose to give your baby a toothpaste or a mouthwash that contains mint to prevent this problem. However, before giving it to you, you need to check on the packaging whether the product is suitable for children.

Notes when giving mint to children

When choosing to buy mint for your baby's food, choose mint plants that have leaves that are fresh, not crushed, wilted, or yellowed. You can store mint for a week in the refrigerator. However, put the mint in a plastic or paper bag before refrigerating it.

When cutting mint leaves, do it gently. Use a sharp knife because using a blunt knife will flatten the leaves and lose flavor.

Do not give mint to your child if he or she has gastroesophageal reflux disease . This is because peppermint can irritate the lower esophageal sphincter muscles, which in turn can make GERD worse.

Do not apply peppermint oil or rub peppermint leaves on a child's face as this can create spasms and cause breathing problems.