You can find it along roadsides and trails, as well as my garden where it has become a sort of weed. This is a great plant for tea, it sports a long list of healing properties. Mint tea as you know is great for colds and flu, it can also be a great calming tea and settles the tummy when your not feeling well. I have been researching this humble plant and it is said that it has as much vitamin C as it's fresh weigh in oranges! It also has more vitamin A than carrots! Now I am glad it has taken over my flower garden and I am purposely planting it anywhere I can find a spot of free earth.
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| My mint in Spring. |
I am cultivating this in my front flower garden almost by accident. One small root took hold and now 4 years later it is covering 10 square feet of the area. It is a very prolific plant and has wonderful purple flowers in the Summer. Bees love it's flower and deer hate to eat it, so you have a great combination for your natural landscaping.
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| Mint in bloom. |
To make tea from the plant simply snip a handful of leaves and steep them in hot water for about 3-5 minutes. To dry the plant for year round use simply pick the long stems and lay them in the sun or in a dry area for a day then store in an air tight container. Use 1 Tablespoon dried mint leaves for one cup of tea.
I could go on and on about the culinary uses of this herb, it goes great with Lamb and makes a nice addition to green salads. Make sure you chop it finely and disperse it in the salad well, it can pack a punch if you get a whole mouthful of mint. There are many mixed drink recipes using this versatile herb and who wouldn't want a cup of mint iced tea in the dead of summer?
So if you would like a mint cutting to grow for you very own, let me know and we can make that happen. And remember plant it in a place you want A LOT OF MINT, or container plant this baby for good control.
