Peppermint – Infinite Unknown

– Ward off cancer, protect against radiation, and ease irritable bowel syndrome with mint (Natural News, July 11, 2012):

A seemingly humble herb, mint offers a variety of exceptional health enhancing features. Research has shown that certain varieties of mint have properties that help defend against cancer and damaging radiation. Not only does this herb offer protective benefit, but it also provides those who suffer from irritable bowl syndrome much needed relief.

Mentha piperita (peppermint) is native to the Mediterranean and nutrient rich. The fresh herb contains ample amounts of vitamin A, C, B12, K, along with folic acid, thiamine, and riboflavin. Mint also provides many essential minerals such as calcium, copper, fluoride, iron, potassium, selenium, and zinc. The essential oils found in mint include menthol, menthone, and menthol acetate.

Read morePeppermint (Mentha piperita): Wards Off Cancer, Protects Against Radiation, And Eases Irritable Bowel Syndrome

(NaturalNews) Herbs from the Lamiaceae family, also known as the mint family have been shown to drastically reduce the infectivity of HIV-1 virions, single infective viral particles. A research team from the University of Heidelberg has found that extracts of lemon balm, sage and peppermint work rapidly to produce their effects in amounts that display no toxicity. The extracts were seen to enhance the density of the virions prior to their surface engagement. They also displayed a strong activity against herpes simplex virus type 2.

The researchers examined water extracts from the leaves of lemon balm, sage and peppermint for their potency to inhibit infection by HIV-1. They found that the extracts exhibited a high and concentration-dependent activity against the infection of HIV-1 in T-cell lines, primary macrophages, and in ex vivo tonsil histocultures. This effect was produced at extract concentrations as low as 0.004% without affect to cell viability.