Uses, Health benefits and tips to successful home cultivation of Mint.
Mint, known scientifically as Mentha is an aromatic herb known for its refreshing aroma and distinct flavor. It is a culinary delight and boasts of numerous health benefits. With a variety of species and cultivars, mint is a versatile herb that can be easily cultivated at home, providing both culinary and medicinal uses. The most common species of mint cultured at home are Peppermint (Mentha piperita), a species known for its high menthol content, giving it a cooling sensation and distinctive flavor, Spearmint (Mentha spicata), a sweeter and more subtle tasted species compared to Peppermint and Chocolate Mint (Mentha piperita f. citrata) which has a delightful chocolate undertone, making it a favorite for desserts and beverages.
Uses of Mint Leaves
Mint is widely known for its cooking and medicinal properties. You would be surprised to know that mint is used in many culinary and beverage preparations in its fresh and dried form. Here are some of the ways to use mint leaves in your home.
1. Mint syrup: You can make mint syrup by boiling mint leaves with one part sugar and two parts water. This is as a readymade ingredient to instantly flavor your drinks on a hot day.
2. Mint tea: Boil mint leaves in a teapot for 5-7 minutes and enjoy this refreshing tea hot or cold to aid digestion or for relief from headaches and menstrual cramps.
3. To spice up vegetables and fruit salads: Add mint leaves to steamed vegetables during the last 2 minutes or chop or wrinkle in some mint leaves to fruit salads to enhance the flavor of the vegetables or fruits.
4. In iced beverages: fresh mint leaves dipped in iced beverages is a quick fix to feel cool and refreshed on hot days.
5. As mouthwash or breath freshener: chop a quarter cup of fresh mint, bee-balm lemon balm, basil, thyme or oregano leaves and infuse in a liter of boiling water. When cool, strain the herbs and store in the refrigerator for a natural mouthwash for oral infections. Just chew on a few mint leaves for fresher breath on the go!
Mint leaves can also be added to protein smoothies, soups, cookies, and sauces and used as garnish for desserts. Outside the kitchen, mint is used in essential oils to scent up a space, as insect repellant, hair rinse, facial astringent, mint bath and even to ease sunburn pain.
Health Benefits of Mint
Mint has been traditionally used as a digestive aid to soothe digestive issues such as indigestion, bloating and gas. Its natural compounds help relax the muscles of the digestive tract, promoting smother digestion.
The aroma of mint has a calming effect on the stomach and can alleviate nausea and motion sickness. Inhaling the scent of mint has also been shown to enhance cognitive function, improve focus and alleviate stress and fatigue thereby providing mental clarity.
Menthol, the primary compound in mint, acts as a natural decongestant providing relief from congestion and respiratory ailment like coughs and colds.
Mint also contains antimicrobial properties that help combat harmful bacteria in the mouth making it effective in freshening breath and preventing oral infections.
Tips to Cultivating Mint at Home
Mint is not reliable when grown from seeds so transplants are advised for use when growing mint at home.
Most herbs do best when they’re planted in pots that are at least 12 inches across which allow room for root growth. Mint should be planted in its own container due to its invasive nature. If you choose to plant mint in the ground, consider using a bottomless container buried in the soil to contain the invasive roots.
When planting mint, use large well-draining pots such as plastic, clay or ceramic ones or hanging planters. The pots should be placed in a spot that receives adequate sunlight as mint thrives in partial shade to full sun.
Plant the cuttings in the prepared soil and water thoroughly after planting. Place cuttings 12 inches apart when planting in the ground or a wide container. Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged.
To harvest, pinch off leaves or stems or snip off with scissors. Avoid overharvesting but prune the plant regularly to encourage bushier growth and prevent it from becoming leggy.
Conclusion.
By cultivating mint at home, you not only have access to a fresh and flavorful herb for culinary delight but also harness its variety of health benefits it provides. Brewed into a soothing tea, chopped into salads or infused into desserts, mint adds a burst of flavor and vitality to your dishes while promoting overall wellbeing so why not embark on a mint growing adventure and reap the reward of this versatile herb.
