Mint is one the most versatile herbs to have around. It is easy to grow indoors or outdoors. There are over 40 varieties of mint and just as many uses for this fantastic herb.
To preserve this herb you can dry for later use or lay the flat dry leaves on a cookie sheet, flash freeze and seal in containers for later use.
Listed below are 10 uses for mint for medicinal purposes, in your kitchen and other uses.
Medicinal Uses:
Digestive and Stomach Trouble: Peppermint tea helps calm the digestive tract. It can help with nausea, indigestion, gas, and cramping
Hiccups: Make a cup of lukewarm water, a couple of squeezes of lemon juice, a pinch of salt and few mint leaves and drink.
Sunburn Reliever: Make peppermint tea and refrigerate for a few hours. Rub gently on your sunburn with cotton balls.
Congestion: Some people find that smelling mint leaves helps with congestion, sinus infections, common cold or allergies.
In the Kitchen:
Tea: Steep 1 to 2 teaspoons of dried peppermint leaves in boiling water. Steep for 10 minutes. Add honey for sweetness. For “iced tea”, just serve this liquid over ice. Another way to have “mint tea” is to add sprigs of the mint to a pitcher of already brewed tea and let it sit for 30 minutes or more.
Ice Cubes: Freeze whole leaves in ice cubes to add to beverages
Mint Syrup: Boil mint leaves with sugar and water to make a mint syrup to sweeten tea or any type of drink
Garnish: Use as a garnish for vegetables or drinks
Therefore, it would be highly beneficial if you grow your own mint herb at home. All you have to do is the following:
Take a 12-16 inches wide pot, fill it with soil, and just plant a mint leaf in it. Then, place the pot in a sunny place in your home, and trim it when it reaches 6 inches.
You should trim the flower buds too, in order to keep the herb in place. To preserve it, harvest only a third of its leaves at a time.
