Mint
August is usually an unbearable month in parts of the states. And it must have been the reason God invented Mint!! Well, ok there are many reasons for mint, but it feels like the month of August it is more appreciated than any other month. Wikipedia states the Peppermint is a hybrid mint, a cross between the watermint (Mentha aquatica) and spearmint (Mentha spicata).
Peppermint
Peppermint has many enjoyable properties, such as sharpening the conscious mind, increasing concentration and helping your memory, just to name a few. Peppermint is a great disinfectant and antiseptic and should be kept in your first aid kit at home and the office. Peppermint’s anti-inflammatory properties are great in reducing swelling and strengthening the skin’s natural defenses. But Peppermint may be best known for its qualities to treat digestive issues such as nausea, indigestion, cramps, motion sickness, liver problems and flatulence.
Peppermint is also great for releasing fevers, flu, headaches and migraines. Often it’s found in many products you already consume: mouthwash, cough syrups, athletic rubs and insect repellents. Peppermint oil is very effective in small doses. Below are some easy home made remedies for our featured essence.
Peppermint
Headache Remedy
1 drop Peppermint
Massage one drop into your temples. Put your feet up for a few minutes. Find a quiet place to relax and meditate on. Think a refreshing place you’d like to visit. *Do avoid eye contact with this oil.
Muscle Sprain Remedy
10 drops of Eucalyptus
10 drops Peppermint
1o drops Rosemary
Mix oils into 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil. Cool sprain with ice pack for 20 minutes, then massage with blend.
Mouth Wash
4 drops Lemon
2 drops Peppermint
Mix oils into 2 cups of distilled water. Don’t be surprised by this simple and home made version. You’ll never buy mouthwash again.
Stomach Blues
1 drop Eucalyptus
1 drop Peppermint
2 drops Rosemary
Mix oils into 2 tablespoons of a base oil and massage the stomach. You should be relaxed and stationary to let this blend do its magic.
I found this incredibly yummy recipe on Nosh and Tell’s website (via Tastespotting of course) http://www.noshandtell.com/?p=672, where Whitney and Ariel made these delightful, delicious cookies!! I have to make these this Holiday season, no question about it!
Peppermint Bark Chunk Cookies
Makes about 2 dozen
About 1 cup of broken up peppermint bark
6 oz chocolate chips
1 1/2 cup all purpose flour
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 cup butter (room temp)
3/4 tsp vanilla
1 egg
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Place sugars, butter, eggs and vanilla in mixer bowl. Blend for 2 minutes.
Sift flour, salt and baking soda together. Add to butter mixture and mix until just combined.
Stir in chocolate chips and peppermint bark by hand. Drop on baking sheets by spoonfuls.
Bake at 350 degrees F. for 8 to 10 minutes. Cool on baking sheet for about 1 minute. Remove to wire rack to finish cooling.
And lastly for the month of August, there is nothing like mint tea, and though I usually make a cup of hot mint tea in the evenings, I made a great
August Cooler
solar batch of hibiscus tea and added local honey from my girlfriends beehive and my home grown mint. Quite the healthy thirst quencher for the August heat.
Plant your peppermint today, and enjoy many of its benefits.
Au revoir!
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