Sunday, August 21, 2022

Edible Mint Leaves Health Benefits

 

mint-leaves

Refreshing Mint Leaves Flavor

Mint leaves referred to as Mentha species are a genus of the plants of Lamiaceae mint family of flowering plants commonly known as mint or deadnettle. Mint leaves were originally used as a medicinal herb to treat chest pains, stomach is also used in traditional medicine and cosmetics. The ancient Greeks of the Northern Mediterranean civilization rubbed mint on their arms believing it would increase strength. Medicinal plant compounds and phytochemicals have drawn the attention of researchers due to the impact it has on human health leading to significant pharmacological uses. The use of plants dates back to 60,000 years ago before the birth of civilization. Today more than 30 percent of all medicinal drugs including their derivatives and analogs derived from plants and natural products will continue to have a considerable impact on human health.


Among medicinal plants mint leaves Mentha species exhibits multiple health beneficial properties such as prevention from cancer development, and anti-obesity, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, and cardioprotective effects as a result of its antioxidant potential combined with low toxicity and high efficiency says PubMed Central. Many of the plants are aromatic widely used in culinary preparations as herbs with rosemary, basil, mint leaves, sage, marjoram, thyme, oregano, and hyssop herbs. Mint leaves are used in a wide range of savory dishes, food, beverages, and confectionery products sold on the market in 2022. These versatile herbs will add flavor and freshness to any recipe in your repertoire of favorite dishes. Mint can be grown anywhere making it an excellent addition to any indoor or outdoor garden space. Mint is a perennial herb with toothed leaves with tiny purple and white leaves rich in a minty fragrance.


It practically grows itself spreading out as ground covers, and garden accents along any border. Plant mint in the spring after the first frost spacing the mint plants 18 to 24 inches apart. As a general rule mint family plants root vigorously when allowed to grow freely and can be invasive to any garden space. The fast growing herb can grow just about anywhere making it an excellent addition to any garden space. It will take 12-16 weeks from planting seeds until the mint leaves are ready to harvest. Different varieties of mint seeds are available online or at your local garden center that will vary in aromatic flavors. Mint Orange green leaves tinged with red are used in tea salads and iced drinks combining orange and mint as a refreshing flavor. Mint Peppermint purple tinged mint leaves are used in iced teas, hot teas, or on the go beverage of choice are just some of the uses of the delicate flavor of Peppermint Mint tea.


Health benefits of peppermint tea include calming digestion, and relieving minor sinuses discomfort with the concentration of peppermint oils. Mint Pineapple is a cook's garden favorite selection used for mint sauces, teas, salads, and iced drinks beverages. Deliciously sweet tropical Pineapple Mint has a tropical effect on any garden with its bright green white and yellow variegated foliage. Mint Pineapple leaves are a tasty treat on ice cream, juice drinks and hot and cold beverages. Plant nurseries often sell herbs ready to plant in any garden space along with seeds, organic fertilizers, pots, and garden accessories. Mint leaves have been used in products for over 2000 years.  Some types of mint leaves like Mentha piperita L, Menta spicata spearmint, and Mentha arvensis have been cultivated to produce essential oils, used for the purpose of making liquor, spices, perfume, confection industry, perfume production, and treating common ailments.


Tazo herbal decaf tea is an herbal infusion that will leave you feeling refreshed and revitalized, consumed as an unexpected combination of refreshing spearmint tea and peppermint tea blend with a hint of sweet tarragon making the unsweetened tea perfect for any time of day.

Cheers!

Patricia Lynn

Photo by SIMON LEE on Unsplash

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