Why does peppermint clear (or at least seem to clear) your sinuses?
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The menthol content in peppermint is what does the job, reducing swelling in mucous membranes and possibly having some very mild analgesic effect. Menthol is also the active ingredient in a lot of cough drops and throat lozenges, although the stronger version of the latter tend to have some form of lidocaine. Menthol is also one of the active ingredient in Vick’s products last I checked.
In much the same way that spicy things do; peppermint contains something (in this case menthol) which has anti-inflammatory properties and can even help fight bacteria.
In short, mint is just cold-spicy
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