Smoking mint leaves may not be as common as smoking tobacco cigarettes, but it’s still a habit that has gained popularity over the years.
The extraordinary emerald green color of pure mint leaves and its calming benefits is enough to impress you and make you believe in the power of this herb.
The absence of nicotine in this herb also makes mint a suitable alternative to smoking tobacco. Hence, the reason for its growing popularity in the cigarette industry.
This article explores the numerous benefits associated with smoking mint, possible side effects, and risk factors associated with the habit.
What are mints?
Mints are aromatic herbs that grow perennially and possess about 15 to 20 species, including peppermint and spearmint. It is also popularly used in the production of products like tea, toothpaste, candy, pastries, oil, and beauty products among other things.
Also, mint or mentha have served as cooking ingredients for ages, and aid in medicinal solutions like treating asthma and nasal congestion.
Does smoking mint help you stop smoking?
Smoking mint does not actually help you stop smoking or make you detest smoking tobacco products. However, unlike tobacco or cannabis products which become addictive and force users to crave them constantly, mint has no such effect.
This is why smoking mentha has been adopted by those who hope to quit smoking tobacco products and those who can’t handle the harsh effects of tobacco products.
Suggestions that smoking mentha or menthol cigarettes reduced the withdrawal symptoms of those with nicotine addiction and also aided smokers in completely quitting cigarettes is merely a hoax as no study proves this.
Does smoking mint have side effects?
Smoking most mint herbs is relatively safe and has no known side effects. However, this should be done in moderation as it does not stop the harmful effects of smoke inhalation.
Regardless of whether you smoke mint leaves or tobacco, long-term exposure to smoke can lead to a series of side effects and health complications. These may include dry mouth, risk of heart disease, nausea, heartburn, and/or vomiting.
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Is smoking mint leaves harmful?
No scientific research has been able to prove or suggest that smoking mint is harmful to one’s health. However, there are still health risks associated with you inhaling any type of smoke regardless of whether it is from a medicinal herb.
Also, taking up mentha smoking can lead to wanting to try out something more potent and might open doors to other substance abuse and chain smoking. This will no doubt have a negative impact on your health just as a regular cigarette would.
What are the health benefits of smoking mint tea?
There are claims that smoking mint optimizes blood flow, calms the nerves, and expands the lung’s capacity. However, there is no officially conducted research backing such claims on mint smoking.
Another benefit of smoking mentha is that you won’t have to worry about nicotine addiction. This makes the medicinal herb a popular alternative for chain smokers who wish to slowly quit smoking cigarettes.
Also, when added to other smokable herbs, mint can make it easier to breathe as it momentarily increases your pathways. As long as you do not make it a habit, smoking peppermint won’t force you into any physical dependency or addiction.
What does smoking mint feel like?
Smoking mint gives you that cold airy/chilly feeling similar to when you lick menthols. Unlike other herbs that are smokable, the effects of mint are noticed almost immediately like the calming of the nerves and clearing of the throat and nostrils.
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Can peppermint cause bloating?
Yes, ingesting or inhaling peppermint can cause bloating, worsen heartburn symptoms, and lead to indigestion.
This is because peppermint calms the sphincter (the muscle that separates the esophagus from the stomach) between the esophagus and the stomach, thereby forcing stomach acids to flow into the esophagus.
Once stomach acids flow back to the esophagus, you might experience bloating, indigestion, and heartburn.
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Is smoking mint safe for pregnant people?
No, smoking mint is not safe for pregnant people. People who smoke mint or any type of cigarette may be at risk of a miscarriage. In fact, smoking during pregnancy remains among the top causes of infant mortality and morbidity.
If you’re pregnant, I would recommend avoiding the appeal of smoking menthol. This is because pregnant women are usually susceptible to menthol smoking as it helps deal with cravings, nausea, and the weird taste associated with pregnancy.
FAQs
Can smoking mint kill you?
No, smoking mint won’t kill you, at least not immediately. While a mint cigarette is touted to calm the nerves and aid blood circulation, it can also lead to health complications (e.g lung cancer) associated with smoke inhalation.
Can smoking mint get you high?
No, smoking mint won’t give you any high like other smokable herbs or plants like hemp or marijuana. Mint lacks psychoactive properties and as such won’t stimulate your brain as hemp does.
Can you smoke mint daily?
Yes, you can but it is not advisable that you smoke daily. When you smoke mint daily, it can be just as harmful and dangerous as you inhaling any other type of smoke.
Conclusion
There remains no suitable scientific research that claims that smoking mint is exceptionally harmful to your health besides the regular risks associated with smoke inhalation. Mint also does not stop smokers from quitting tobacco.
Additionally, while there are claims that smoking mint is relatively healthy, there is no scientific study to back such claims. In fact, it is not really certain if the complete medical benefits associated with the herbs still stay intact when smoked.
As long as you smoke it in moderation and not regularly, mint is generally not harmful neither does it pose immediate health risks.
Find out all you should know about peppermint and mint in general. Their uses, health benefits, as well as certain differences peppermint might possess from other mint plants.
I hope you found this article helpful. Thanks for reading.
