Popular mint with its refreshing aroma is easy to grow and makes a great addition to beverages as well as various dishes and sauces.It is an ingredient in tourareg tea, which is popular in North African and Arab countries. Mint can be found growing naturally in Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia and North America.It grows in many places but does better in wet environments with moist soils. There are several different species of mint, which is generally a perennial herb. Mint plants reach anywhere between 10-120 centimeters tall and they can spread over a large area. Because of this, they are sometimes considered invasive. However, they can make good companion plants because of their ability to attract beneficial insects and repel pests. They are susceptible to white fly and aphids. Mint can be harvested at any time and the fresh leaves are best used immediately although they can be stored in the fridge in plastic bags for a few days. The essential oil of mint is used alot in breath fresheners, antiseptic mouth rinses and toothpastes.
Marvellous Benefits of Mint
The powerfully refreshing scent of mint makes it helpful in relieving headaches and nausea. Rubbing balm containing mint onto the forehead or temples is effective. Mint is soothing and can ease the inflammation and rise in temperature that often accompanies headaches and migraines.
Mint is beneficial in clearing the congestion in the nose and chest that occurs with the common cold as well as in cases of asthma. Mint tea can also soothe a sore throat and the irritation of a persistent cough. Its relaxant qualities help with this also. The menthol in mint helps to break up phlegm and mucous, making it easier to expel. A cup of mint tea can work wonders in cases of indigestion, gas and bloating. It can also ease irritable bowel symptoms and nausea, including the nausea brought on by motion sickness. Mint is believed to facilitate bile flow, which also helps digestion. The menthol it contains protects the stomach lining, stopping gastric ulcers from forming. Brazilian mint works very well in this capacity when taken as a tea. The scent of mint is uplifting and having fresh mint around or diffusing mint oil throughout a room can calm anxiety and lift depression and sluggishness. It stimulates qualities of alertness, cognitive function and memory retention. One of the first uses of mint in Europe was as a room deodorizer. Application of mint oil can relieve the nipple pain and cracks that can occur with breastfeeding. Mint has one of the highest anti-oxidant capacities of any food.
There are enzymes found in mint which may help prevent and treat cancer.
Mint can be added to beverages in summer to facilitate cooling down but if it is consumed by someone with a fever, it will induce sweating, which helps break the fever and facilitate recovery. Mint juice can be applied to burns and also to rheumatic joints.
Mint essential oil has been used in aromatherapy to help relieve post-surgery nausea.
Mint juice is a fantastic skin cleanser, which helps reduce pimples and acne. It can cure skin infections and itchiness and is very effective when applied to insect bites. Its anti-inflammatory qualities reduce swelling. Mint often appears in insect repellent products as many insects don't like the scent. Mint generally benefits digestion and can assist weight loss by stimulating the digestive enzymes that absorb nutrients from food and turn fat into energy.
Mint is fantastic for dental care. It has germicidal qualities and prevents the growth of harmful bacteria. It cleans the teeth and tongue and is a wonderful breath freshener so it is commonly found in dental products. Mint leaves can be chewed or rubbed directly onto the teeth and gums. The antiseptic qualities of mint make it useful for skin care. Mint leaf extracts inhibit the release of certain chemicals, which aggravate the nasal symptoms of allergies and hay fever. Its anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties also make it useful for relieving the discomfort of allergy symptoms. In the garden, mint makes a wonderful companion plant. It is rich in nectar and pollen so it will encourage beneficial insects but it will discourage pests. How to Use Mint
When added to a variety of dishes, mint gives a them a great flavor without adding calories, sugar or sodium. I always love new potatoes cooked with mint. Mint leaves, like cilantro and basil, are tender with gentle stems. They are best used raw or added at the end of cooking to maintain flavor and texture. Mint should be cut gently and with a sharp knife to avoid losing the flavor. Mint is a great addition to a cool beverage on a hot summer day. It adds a nice flavor to iced water. It can also be consumed as a warm tea, which is great for helping digestion and peppermint, in particular, can ease indigestion and gas. Mint can be applied to the skin in cases of insect bites, itchiness and swelling. Mint leaves can be chewed to freshen breath. A sprig of mint, along with thyme and wormwood can be put near a pet's bed to ward off fleas. Fresh mint in a room can act as an air freshener. Mint oil can also be diffused throughout the room. Mint oils can also be added to home cleaners, which leaves a nice scent .
Mint juice is a fantastic skin cleanser, which helps reduce pimples and acne. It can cure skin infections and itchiness and is very effective when applied to insect bites. Its anti-inflammatory qualities reduce swelling. Mint often appears in insect repellent products as many insects don't like the scent. Mint generally benefits digestion and can assist weight loss by stimulating the digestive enzymes that absorb nutrients from food and turn fat into energy.
Mint is fantastic for dental care. It has germicidal qualities and prevents the growth of harmful bacteria. It cleans the teeth and tongue and is a wonderful breath freshener so it is commonly found in dental products. Mint leaves can be chewed or rubbed directly onto the teeth and gums. The antiseptic qualities of mint make it useful for skin care. Mint leaf extracts inhibit the release of certain chemicals, which aggravate the nasal symptoms of allergies and hay fever. Its anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties also make it useful for relieving the discomfort of allergy symptoms. In the garden, mint makes a wonderful companion plant. It is rich in nectar and pollen so it will encourage beneficial insects but it will discourage pests. How to Use Mint
When added to a variety of dishes, mint gives a them a great flavor without adding calories, sugar or sodium. I always love new potatoes cooked with mint. Mint leaves, like cilantro and basil, are tender with gentle stems. They are best used raw or added at the end of cooking to maintain flavor and texture. Mint should be cut gently and with a sharp knife to avoid losing the flavor. Mint is a great addition to a cool beverage on a hot summer day. It adds a nice flavor to iced water. It can also be consumed as a warm tea, which is great for helping digestion and peppermint, in particular, can ease indigestion and gas. Mint can be applied to the skin in cases of insect bites, itchiness and swelling. Mint leaves can be chewed to freshen breath. A sprig of mint, along with thyme and wormwood can be put near a pet's bed to ward off fleas. Fresh mint in a room can act as an air freshener. Mint oil can also be diffused throughout the room. Mint oils can also be added to home cleaners, which leaves a nice scent .
Risks of Mint
Some people have an allergic reaction to mint and experience symptoms such as abdominal cramps, diarrhea, headaches, heartburn, tingling or numbing around the mouth, anaphylaxis or contact dermatitis. So in this case, it should be avoided. Do not use mint if you have gastroesophageal reflux disease as mint can aggravate it. Pure menthol is poisonous and should not be taken internally. Don't put mint oil onto the face of a baby or a small child as it may cause spasms that make breathing difficult. Be careful with mint products if you are suffering from gallstones If taking medications, consult a health practitioner to find out whether the mint products could interact with the medications.
Storing Mint
Mint is an easy herb to cultivate in pots or in the garden but if purchasing it, be sure to buy mint plants that have bright, unmarked leaves. Mint can be stored in plastic bags or plastic wrap for about a week in the fridge. The leaves can also be dried and stored in airtight containers in a cool, dark place. If purchasing mint oils, buy them in dark, glass bottles and store them in a cool place away from direct sunlight.
Some people have an allergic reaction to mint and experience symptoms such as abdominal cramps, diarrhea, headaches, heartburn, tingling or numbing around the mouth, anaphylaxis or contact dermatitis. So in this case, it should be avoided. Do not use mint if you have gastroesophageal reflux disease as mint can aggravate it. Pure menthol is poisonous and should not be taken internally. Don't put mint oil onto the face of a baby or a small child as it may cause spasms that make breathing difficult. Be careful with mint products if you are suffering from gallstones If taking medications, consult a health practitioner to find out whether the mint products could interact with the medications.
Storing Mint
Mint is an easy herb to cultivate in pots or in the garden but if purchasing it, be sure to buy mint plants that have bright, unmarked leaves. Mint can be stored in plastic bags or plastic wrap for about a week in the fridge. The leaves can also be dried and stored in airtight containers in a cool, dark place. If purchasing mint oils, buy them in dark, glass bottles and store them in a cool place away from direct sunlight.
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