MINT Herb of the month June 2020

💥Mint💥

Latin name= Mentha x piperita

All the mints including peppermint, spearmint and lemon balm are rich in vitamin C, beta carotene, and chlorophyll. Mint is to stimulating to the mind and creates “wakefulness” whiffs of the oil and sometimes even the tea will improve alertness and awareness. The X in the botanical name Mentha X piperita lets us know that this plant is a hybrid. Peppermint is a cross between spearmint (Mentha spicata) and water mint (Mentha aquatica)while many different mints have been in use throughout human history it was only in the late 17 th century that peppermint was recognized as a distinct species in England. It was added to the England pharmacopoeia in 1721. Peppermint in one form or another is readily found at coffee shops and grocery stores it is a spicy yet cooling plant that tastes great while offering powerful benefits for digestion fevers and even mood it can offer profound relief to someone suffering from the painful symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome or nerve pain. Peppermint is often referred to as a blast of green energy. It renews, refreshes, and energizes without depleting or using up energy reserves when you need a gentle pick-me-up try peppermint tea which will gently restore and revitalize.

Some of the ways we use mints in Herbal Remedies: stomach upset, hiccups, bad breath, cold, flu, fever, sinus congestion, gas, nausea, spasms, headaches. And externally to soothe the itching and inflammation of the skin.

Growing Peppermint:

Peppermint prefers rich moist well-drained soil and full sun to partial shade. It does best in zones 5 through 9, but don’t be afraid to experiment if you live in a colder zone because peppermint, like most mint has a wild spirit and is a survivor. Peppermint starts easily from root divisions and cuttings. In fact the most challenging aspect of growing peppermint, or any other mint is keeping it contained. You might consider growing peppermint in a container to keep it from taking over the garden. Of course the best way to keep peppermint from spreading beyond its place in the garden, is to continue to harvest it for teas, cooking, Herbal Remedies, and mint juleps.

The mint family is called Lamiaceae, one of the largest plant families and the first of the eight core plant families to learn! All mints have a square stem though not all square stems are in the mint family, if it is aromatic it is! Key indicators are square stem, strong aromatics, opposite leaves, and unique irregular flowers. Other culinary Heroes of this family include Basil, Sage, Marjoram, Rosemary, Oregano, Savory, Hyssop, and Lavender.

*Mints intermingle and interbreed quite readily so if you grow more than one type you can end up with all manner of mints. Most of which won’t taste or smell as nice as the parent plants. They won’t be as medicinally active either so attempt to keep your mint separated or at least in different beds or pots in the garden; they are not good bed mates.

For Digestive Issues

Peppermint is a renowned digestive Aid and is the herb of choice for relieving nausea and gas. As an antispasmodic it helps muscles relax and can reduce stomach cramping and spasms, and it’s clean refreshing flavor is welcome after a bout of indigestion or vomiting. Peppermint tea strongly relieves many types of common digestive complaints. Have a tummy ache? Try a cup of peppermint tea! Have a nervous stomach? Try a cup of peppermint tea! Have gas and bloating after a meal? Try some peppermint tea! Have some peppermint tea the next time you have a case of the stubborn hiccups. Peppermint doesn’t just help with your everyday run-of-the-mill tummy aches it has also been clinically shown to be helpful for people suffering with severe digestive disorders such as IBS.

For Improved Mood and Alertness

Simply smelling peppermint has benefits one study showed that smelling peppermint essential oil helped improve memory and alertness. Another study showed that smelling peppermint essential oil relieved mental exhaustion and moderate burnout. Rosemary Gladstar says “Peppermint is often referred to as a blast of green energy it renews, refreshes, and energizes without depleting or using up energy reserves”. And it’s not just internally it’s an old tradition to wash dinner tables with peppermint tea as a way to improve the appetites and moods of the diners.

For Relieving Pain

Peppermint works wonderfully to soothe pain it is commonly used in the form of a fomentation to ease headaches especially those related to tense muscles. A fomentation is an herbal preparation that involves soaking a cloth in an herbal tea and then applying it to a specific area. Often used to reduce the pain of headaches it is my favorite herb to use for bee stings Burns and toothaches. For burns at a drop or two of peppermint essential oil to 2 tablespoons of honey and applied directly to the burn. Honey makes an excellent sterile dressing for the burn while the peppermint cools and relieves the pain usually within minutes. Peppermint oil can relieve intense nerve pain although human clinical trials are lacking Rosalee de la florette has witnessed several people benefit from peppermint essential oil applied to painful feet due to diabetic neuropathy. Peppermint oil has also been used to relieve the nerve pain felt after an outbreak of shingles. Peppermint can also relieve the itching and inflammation of sunburns poison oak/ivy and hives. You can use the tea as a wash or at a strong Brew to bath water.

For Colds and Flus

Peppermint has long been used in both traditional Chinese medicine and Western herbalism to address fevers that accompany the flu. It opens the pores of the body allowing the heat to escape which makes it a great choice for fevers when the patient is restless and feels hot. A traditional Western herbal formula is the combination of elderflowers, peppermint, and yarrow. To break up congestion in the lungs essential oil of peppermint or an herbal steam with peppermint can be inhaled with similar effects. To make an herbal steam place a handful of fresh or dried peppermint in a medium sized Bowl poor just boiled water over the leaves then place your face above the bowl with a towel draped over your head in order to catch the steam Rising. The temperature under the towel should be as warm as possible without burning you. Breathe deeply and keep a box of tissues nearby to blow your nose as needed.

Key Constituents: volatile oils Menthol and menthone, flavonoids, phenolic acid, triterpenes. Mint also contains vitamins and minerals including vitamins A, B-6, C, E, and K, beta carotene, folate and riboflavin and the minerals calcium, iron, potassium, magnesium and manganese.

Magical Attributes

Gender: Male Planet: Mercury

Element: Fire

Powers: purification, sleep, love, healing, psychic powers

Magical uses: peppermint has long been used in healing potions and mixtures. Peppermint also has a long history and purification spells. The fresh leaves rubbed on the head are said to relieve headaches worn around the wrist assures that you will not be ill. Smelt it compels one towards sleep and placed beneath the pillow it sometimes offers one glimpses of the future in dreams. Rubbed against Furniture walls and floor boards to cleanse them of evil and negativity. Peppermint is also used in travel spells. It’s bright green leaves and crisp sent lead to its use in money spells and prosperity spells. The easiest of which is to place a few leaves in the wallet or purse or rub where your money is kept. Common mints such as spearmint and Pennyroyal are closely related and in a pinch can be used one in place of another.

Using Peppermint:

The therapeutic amount for peppermint is: as a Tea 1-3 teaspoons dried mint or 2-6 teaspoons fresh mint. Drink 3-5 cups a day. Both fresh and dried peppermint leaves work equally well for all purposes. If substituting one for the other in a recipe used twice as much fresh herb than dried. There are many ways to incorporate mint into our daily lives and diets. Green smoothies, salads, pestos, desserts, you can even make your own toothpaste recipe to follow.

Precautions: while peppermint is described as perfectly safe and no known reactions or harmful side effects are present. In recent years it’s been noted that peppermint can cause or exacerbate heartburn in some very sensitive individuals so avoid it in excess if you have active symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease. Also overuse of peppermint could dry up breast milk for the nursing mother.

Sources: Alchemy of Herbs by Rosalee de la Foret chapter 16, Medicinal Herbs by Rosemary Gladstar pg 184, Cunninghams Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs pg 200, herbmentor.com

Favorite recipes

Tooth powder: to make the powder combine ¼ cup baking soda, 1 teaspoon neem powder, 1 teaspoon clove powder, ½ teaspoon of finely ground sea salt and a few drops of peppermint essential oil. Allowed to air-dry, then store in an airtight container. To Use: mix the tooth powder with enough peppermint tea or water to make a moist paste. Use to brush your teeth like store-bought toothpaste.

Mean Green Mint Smoothie: serves 2  1 avocado (small one)  ½ apple peeled and cored  2 cups greens (spinach, kale, dandelion greens etc)  1 cup fresh mint (or ½ cup dried)  6 ounces Coconut Water  1-2 tablespoon each Honey, Apple Cider Vinegar, and herbal powder  Filtered water or ice to fill line Blend and serve! We use this as a snack between breakfast and lunch. If using as a dessert or later in the evening I would replace the coconut water with yogurt or coconut milk. Because of the peppermint and the coconut water in this mix, this is a very energizing smoothie.