The Lamiaceae family is proud to have the Mint or Mentha plant in their ranks. Even more, there are around 13 to 18 varieties of mint in total. Peppermint has a strong smell and taste that many people find refreshing and pleasant. For these refreshing qualities it is used in many cosmetic products, including mouthwashes, ointments, toothpaste, bubble baths, etc. Growing mint in your own garden should be almost a must, especially for its excellent uses and health benefits.
Reasons to start growing mint in your garden
Mint is also used in the culinary world and gives every meal, whether sweet or savory, a specific flavor. But this is not the end. Peppermint is amazing when it comes to providing health benefits, too.
Encourages digestion
This is reason enough to grow mint in your garden, as having a natural remedy on hand to ease a troubled digestion (which is often a daily problem at times) is very necessary today. Peppermint can help deal with indigestion. This herb is packed with antioxidants and phytonutrients that calm the stomach. In addition, the smell of mint activates the salivary glands and facilitates the process of digestion of food through the production of digestive enzymes. These enzymes relax the stomach muscles and prevent spasms.
As stated, menthol and methyl salicylate found wonderfully soothe the stomach and provide normal digestion of food.
Brew a cup of peppermint tea and drink it after every meal to improve the work of your gastrointestinal tract.
Treat headaches and nausea
Migraines and headaches can be easily solved by consuming peppermint regularly. Due to its strong smell and taste, the mind works amazingly from the outside as well.
You can rub your forehead or nose with several mint leaves and let your headache heal in no time.
Stops hiccups
Hiccups occur when there is extra air in the lungs and stomach, so by consuming peppermint water, you can avoid them. The book states that hiccups can be resolved quickly by consuming peppermint due to the menthol found in the herb.
Improves breastfeeding
Problems with breastfeeding, such as breast and nipple tenderness, pain, and discomfort can be treated with a simple peppermint leaf rub or peppermint tea. Many studies have confirmed the miraculous benefits of peppermint, so give it a try.
Improve memory
As many scientific researches has shown, peppermint works very well in aromatherapy and can encourage the process of thinking and memorization.
Peppermint can help you solve your forgetfulness problem, so make yourself a mint tea and drink it regularly. In addition, you can leave the mint to aromatize your house to feel fuller of energy.
Helps with breathing problems and coughing
As it smells very strongly, peppermint can significantly ease the breathing process and can treat any type of cold or cough. You can find a creme de menthe and rub it on your chest or you can do the same with fresh mint leaves as well. To fix your breathing problems, inhale peppermint tea vapor or drink peppermint tea daily.
Stimulates weight loss
Because peppermint can produce digestive enzymes and help with food processing, it can also promote weight loss. Make sure to include peppermint in your diet and convert fat storage into energy.
Trigger the immune system
Many beneficial nutrients are found in peppermint leaves, such as phosphorous, calcium, vitamins C, D, E, and small amounts of vitamin B complex. All of these can boost immunity and make you resistant against infections and colds.
Helps in cancer treatment
Research has shown the beneficial influence of peppermint in cancer patients, especially if the cancer was found in the colon, liver, skin, and lungs. Because it is full of phytochemicals, peppermint leaves can stop the blood supply that causes tumors to grow.
Get rid of asthma
As peppermint leaves are recommended to treat many respiratory diseases, they can also cure asthma. Peppermint is rich in rosmarinic acid, which offers strong antioxidant benefits, and this prevents allergy-triggering leukotrienes.
Improves mood
By just smelling the mint leaves, you are already doing your body a favor, you should feel energized and you are instantly refreshed. Peppermint leaves can also reduce stress and anxiety as it helps the body release more serotonin.
Whenever you find yourself in a bad mood, trust peppermint leaves to solve this. You can always go for a mint bubble bath and feel your body relax due to the aroma.
Improves oral health
Peppermint leaves, as mentioned above, are rich in antibacterial and anti-inflammatory compounds. As a result, these can prevent bacteria of any kind from entering the body, especially through the oral cavity.
You can start by rubbing mint leaves on your teeth and gums, and let it work for several minutes.
How to grow mint?
Mint is a very simple plant to grow. It has a specific root system, called runners, as it grows new leaves and you can plant along its roots as they grow.
To grow mint, be sure to plant the mint leaves in separate pots, as they tend to take up a lot of space once they start to grow.
You can use peppermint seeds or simply replant an existing leaf. The second option works better and faster.
To do this, take a container that holds water and that is between 30 and 40 cm. wide (12 and 16 inches), potting soil and the mint plant.
Make sure the mint gets plenty of sunlight and keep watering so it doesn’t dry out.
Trim the mint plant 6 inches high, this way, it will create bushes and will not spread in another direction. Remember to trim the mint buds so the plant stays in place.
It is important to know that you should not harvest more than 1/3 of the leaves, so that you do not lose the entire plant. You can dry the collected leaves by hanging them upside down or placing them on a tray.
Mint uses
If you decide to grow mint, you will see the multiple uses that you can give it: in the kitchen, as an aromatic drink, as a cosmetic product and as a remedy. You choose.
