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Five ideas for making the most of mint

Image of a mint plants, close together, showing the bright green leaves

Hello,

 

Do you have lots of mint in your window boxes, pots or gardens? It’s originally a Mediterranean herb; in Greek mythology, Hades, the god of the underworld, fell in love with the river nymph Minthe.  When Persephone, his wife, discovered the affair she turned Minthe into a plant. Hades could not rescue her, but he imbued her with a sweet smell, so that people would forever be captivated by Minthe’s fragrance.

There are hundreds of varieties to choose from. The common garden kind has a sweet and mild taste. It is hardy, growing well in cold climates, and it makes for pretty ground cover. But it spreads quickly, so if you plant it you might want to consider doing so in a container. It thrives when well watered; just be careful to water at the base of the plant to keep the leaves dry and avoid potential disease.

Mint has many health benefits. The leaves are full of antioxidants, and a surprisingly rich source of iron and potassium, as well as vitamins A, B and C. It has anti-bacterial properties, and has long been used to combat indigestion or calm an upset stomach. It’s also a natural repellant for ants, who don’t like the scent: keep potted mint indoors or infuse water with the leaves and spray near entryways.

Five ideas for making the most of mint

Here are some delicious ideas:

Mint tea, image courtesy of Iva Balk, Pixabay

We have more ideas for using this versatile herb here, and here. Do let us know in the comments if you have others to share!

Until the next time,

Sam and Claire

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