Minty Fresh

I’ve had mint on the brain recently.

Actually, on my hands…then the scent of it gets into your head, in spite of all the allergies the pollen wants to send my nose-way, and it’s a short trip from the nose to the brain…..

Mint, Ordinary mint, Mackerill Mint or Spearmint

Mint is growing in my pilgrim garden, everywhere, except in the garden beds…and I do mean everywhere. Last Sunday I cut a bushel basket full of mint, and there was plenty left for the woodchucks to snack on.

Good thing mint is so  good for so much.

Wild mint of North America – Mentha canadensis. That’s right, Canada Mints!

The other Canada Mints

Pa Flynn, my great grandfather who worked at Baker’s Chocolate, always had the little red and white peppermints in his pocket, so the smell of mint – and certain pipe tobaccos – remind me of him. They say that scent is the strongest sense to support memory.

The Rx: Mint

The Target: IBS, headaches
The Dose: 1 cup of tea daily

Chewing on peppermint can freshen your breath, but there’s another reason you should try the herb. The menthol in peppermint helps prevent muscle spasms, one of the reasons peppermint oil effectively treats irritable bowel syndrome. The oil is also useful for relieving headaches. Rub some on your temples or wrists and breathe in the minty scent.

Botanist James A. Duke, PhD, author of The Green Pharmacy Guide to Healing Foods, recommends brewing mint tea for any type of pain. Pour boiling water over peppermint leaves and steep until the tea is as strong as you like. Add wintergreen leaves for an extra pain-fighting boost; a compound in wintergreen called methyl salicylate blocks the enzymes that cause inflammation and pain. “You could call it herbal aspirin,” he says. A final squeeze of lemon will help you extract as many pain-reducing chemicals as possible from the plants.

http://www.prevention.com/health/health-concerns/10-healing-foods-fight-pain?s=9&?cm_mmc=Facebook-_-Rodale-_-Food-_-10FoodsThatWorkJustAsWellasMedicine

Peppermint and Corsican mints

My favorite mint is – no surprise here –  chocolate mint

Chocolate Mint

he York Peppermint Patty – pretty close to perfect

My newest chocolate -mint combo treat – toothpaste.

Chocolate Mint flavored toothpaste. Oh, Yes! Oh, What a Beautiful Morning!