When you think of mint, you probably don't think of the medicinal properties of this plant.

Yet, for centuries, healers have used this very common plant to treat a number of diseases. It is an easy solution to treat a variety of sometimes unpleasant diseases.

Here are five reasons to start using more mint in your dishes:

1. Preventing colds

Mint is very rich in antioxidants. And antioxidants help prevent oxidative damage and also inflammation. They also give your immune system a boost that can help fight off a cold or flu. Even if you already have a cold, mint can still help.

. Another benefit is that mint can help soothe the sore throat that comes with a dry cough. Drinking tea with organic mint is a great way to help you get immediate relief if it's a bad cold.

2. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

IBS can be embarrassing... Even worse, it's painful. Instead of turning to drug solutions, try peppermint. One study showed that peppermint oil completely eliminates pain in patients with IBS. Another study revealed that it reduces IBS symptoms by at least 50% after only one month and this on 75% of the subjects. You can find natural peppermint oil in capsules for daily use at your local organic store or online.

3. Relieve allergies

Mint is rich in rosmarinic acid (RA). This antioxidant with anti-inflammatory properties can help reduce the symptoms of seasonal allergies. Unlike antihistamines, AR not only helps stop the reaction, it also helps kill activated allergic immune cells. And it does so without harming your other immune cells. Patients in one study experienced a significant decrease in inflammatory cytokines in their nasal fluids after taking 200 mg of AR for 21 days.

You can also find it in supplement form in stores and online.

4. Relieve occasional indigestion

The mint, especially peppermint can also help you when you eat something you shouldn't have. It helps to improve the flow of acids in the stomach as well as bile. This can make the digestion faster and easier. Mint can even help you feel less bloated and swollen. It can also relieve heartburn and mild gastrointestinal spasms.

Be sure not to use mint if you have acid reflux. It can quickly give you a painful burn if you already have esophageal damage.

5. Soothe the skin

One of the worst parts of summer is often mosquito bites. You can apply mint leaves or essential oil directly to your skin. This will help stop the itching and irritation. Fresh mint can even act as a natural mosquito repellent. But it goes beyond insect bites. It can also help you soften rashes and other skin reactions.
Whether you grow your own mint or keep it in your closet, mint is an ideal plant to have on hand. It is a refreshing natural solution to some unpleasant and annoying health problems. And those are just a few of them... Our editor has found that rubbing peppermint oil on the temples works wonders for a headache.