Eat more spearmint for better health

Spearmint has long been a popular addition to a number of different products that are designed to care for the body. Well-known for its minty taste and the fresh feeling it gives a person, spearmint also offers health benefits beyond a pleasant taste. This herb is commonly found in a variety of different products such as cosmetics, mouthwashes, health food products and toothpastes.


Though it is similar to peppermint, spearmint does not contain as much menthol. This gives it a milder flavor and aroma that results in a broad appeal for the herb. Spearmint also contains ample amounts of cineol, limonene and dihydrocarvone. These compounds help give spearmint its healing properties that confer health benefits for the people who consume products containing the herb, including spearmint tea.

Using spearmint to treat digestive issues


Spearmint has been shown to be effective at treating a number of digestive disorders. One way it accomplishes this is by relaxing the stomach muscles. This could help treat conditions such as nausea, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), indigestion and diarrhea, as well as other common digestive concerns. This was the conclusion reached according to a review of the effects of spearmint tea that was recently published in Phytotherapy Research.

Spearmint to reduce inflammation

There has been promising research results in using spearmint to treat conditions such as sore throats, that often result in inflammation and swelling. Spearmint has also proved promising in reducing inflammation in the respiratory tract. Some people have experienced relief from swelling when spearmint was applied directly to their mouths. In other cases, spearmint was shown to offer relief from the common cold, toothaches, headaches and cramps.

Abnormal hair growth and spearmint

A condition in which abnormal hair growth is seen on the stomach, face and breasts of women is called hirutism. Understandably, this condition can cause great stress for those women who suffer from it. A study published in Phytotherapry Research showed that there are promising results for those participants who drank two cups of spearmint tea per day for five days. The spearmint tea reduced the amount of androgens that were present in the bodies of these women. Androgens are those hormones in the body that prompt the body to exhibit primarily masculine traits, such as facial hair.

Spearmint lends itself greatly to spawning hybrid versions. Some of the more illustrious versions include ginger spearmint, pineapple spearmint, corn mint and Japanese mint. An interesting note about this versatile herb is that almost every part of the plant has been had some medicnial use, either in a traditional sense or for more modern uses.

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Three Amazing Uses for Tea Tree Oil

Long before the advent of modern medicine, people were using essential oils for medicinal purposes. The oil of the evergreen shrub, tea tree, was particularly venerated by ancient cultures, especially the Australian Aborigines. In fact, evidence shows that the Aborigines have been using the oils of their indigenous Melaleuca alternifolia tree for centuries to treat a wide array of conditions ranging from simple coughs to serious skin conditions.


Today, tea tree oil enjoys a reputation comparable to that of baking soda or coconut oil: A must-have health product whose sanitary and medicinal uses could fill (and have filled) numerous books. This article provides a distillation of the three most popular uses for tea tree oil.

Mouth Cleanser

There’s a good reason why so many mouth care products contain tea tree oil as a central ingredient: Being a potent antibacterial, tea tree oil is able to kill just about anything harmful residing in our mouths. Adding a few drops of tea tree oil to a mixture of baking soda and purified water, for instance, makes an excellent homemade toothpaste. Alternatively, you can make a simple but potent mouthwash by mixing a few drop of tea tree oil to purified water and swishing the mixture around your mouth for a couple of minutes after brushing. Some people like to add peppermint oil to the mixture to improve its taste.

Incidentally, if your morning consists of an oil pulling routine using sesame or sunflower oil, consider adding a few drops of tea tree oil to the oil to give it additional antibacterial power. Those of you who oil pull using coconut oil don’t need to do this since coconut oil is already an antibacterial.


Skin Care

Since tea tree oil is a antimicrobial and antifungal as well as an antibacterial, it can help treat almost any skin condition through topical application. If you’re suffering from acne, psoriasis, eczema, athlete’s food, insect bites, cuts, rashes, or any other skin issue, apply tea tree oil to the affected area using a cotton bud and leave it to absorb for at least a few hours, but ideally overnight. If you find that the oil is too harsh for your skin, you can dilute it with purified water.

Note: Even though it is a natural product, using tea tree oil to treat certain skin conditions might be futile if those conditions stem from certain dietary or lifestyle issues that remain undiagnosed. For example, a lot of people unknowingly suffer from common skin ailments like acne or eczema due to a wheat or gluten intolerance. Therefore, if tea tree oil or other antimicrobial products are failing to treat a certain condition, that condition probably has a deeper cause that needs to be treated before any residual symptoms can be addressed.

Household Cleaner

Who needs artificial and overpriced household cleaners when tea tree oil can kill germs and microbes just as well, and without filling your house with chemicals? To make a homemade cleaner out of tea tree oil, simply combine two teaspoons of it with two cups of purified water in a spray bottle. Then, the sky is the limit: from tiles to kitchen surfaces to sinks to toilets, tea tree can clean it – and without leaving an unpleasant, lingering aroma.

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7 Tips For Healthy Living After 50

Although it's important to stay healthy at any age, it's crucial for you to take a more active role in your health as you get older. After the age of 50 it's important to manage your physical, mental and psychological health on a daily basis if you want to live a full, energy-filled life of good health. Use these 10 tips to stay on top of your energy levels so you'll feel young and vibrant for the rest of your days. 

Eat Well 

As you age it's important to streamline your portion sizes and eat the right foods. As you get older your body requires less calories so it's especially important to figure out your daily caloric needs. Make sure your diet is well balanced and contains enough protein, vegetables and dietary fiber. Limit alcohol, sugar and simple carbohydrates to stay on top of your game and maintain optimal energy levels.

Exercise

After 50, you should aim to get at least 40 minutes of daily physical activity. The best activity for middle aged people is walking. Walking burns lots of calories while at the same time it is relatively easy on your joints. Walking doesn't require an expensive gym membership and it's easy to fit into your schedule. All you need is a good pair of walking shoes and your body.

Socialize 

It's important that individuals over the age of 50 stay mentally sharp and fulfilled by staying socially active. Friendships and relationships should be maintained and strengthened as one ages. Make an effort to plan activities with your friends at least once a week. Men and women over the age of 50 are now finding themselves in an empty nest after the children leave home and it's important to keep your social life active or depression could set in. Join a community center, book club or association to keep your social skills well exercised.

Sleep Well

After 50 is not the time for skimping on sleep. The best way to insure that you're receiving a proper night's rest is to make sure that you go to bed each night at the same time and wake up every morning at the same time. Routine will help stabilize your circadian rhythm and insure quality rest. Keep all cell phones, iPads and electronic devices out of the bedroom to avoid distraction.

Health Checks 

Make sure that you're going to see your doctor at least once per year for all of your checkups, blood work and screenings. These preventative exams can catch issues early on and help build a better health future. Health check ups are also a great time to talk to your doctor about vaccinations and regular screenings for age-related diseases such as cholesterol, osteoporosis and diabetes.

Exercise Your Brain 

Keep your brain well-exercised by playing word games, such as Scrabble or Words With Friends. Games are a great way to kill two birds with one stone: you'll be socializing while strengthening your noodle. Memory games are another great way to exercise your brain. A simple match game with your grandchild can keep you sharp and agile.

Soak In The Sun 

First, protect your skin by applying sunscreen with a high SPF. Then, head outdoors. The sun helps your body create Vitamin D which will help your body fight against cellular mutations and disease. Just 30 minutes of daily sunlight will help your body to produce Vitamin D and the sun exposure will also improve your mood.

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