From spring through fall I grow a variety of herbs in my garden. Mint is one of my favorite, as well as the most prolific.

There are countless ways to use mint. I use it fresh whenever I can and dry several batches during the summer.

Not only is growing your own mint easy and fun, but using what you’ve grown is also deeply satisfying.

My tips:

• Buy organic, non-GMO mint from a trusted nursery. It will grow happily in your garden, supplying you with aromatic, healthy mint leaves for years to come.
• Mint will spread quickly and will be difficult to contain unless you create a barrier you can sink into the soil. Some gardeners grow mint in large pots above ground, some will sink pots into the ground. I find that landscaping edging works best in my yard. I can sink the edging into the ground deep enough to keep the mint from spreading.
• Most varieties of mint will grow well in sun to part-sun. Many will also tolerate some shade. A few varieties may even require some protection from direct sun. So always check the growing requirements of the particular mint you purchased.

Mint is a sweet scented, aromatic herb that has a cooling, fresh flavor. It can be used in various ways and has many health benefits.

• Great variety of nutrients
• Many health-promoting properties
• One of the highest anti-oxidant capacities

Mint contains:

• Vitamin A
• Vitamin B2
• Vitamin C
• Zinc
• Calcium
• Copper
• Magnesium

Mint uses:

• Tea
• Soup
• Salad
• Desserts
• Garnish
• Water infusion
• Breath freshener
• Air freshener
• Homemade Cleaning products
• Personal care products

Valued for:

• Fragrance
• Medicinal benefits
• Nutritional benefits

Mint helps:

• Cold symptoms
• Nausea
• Headaches
• Digestive issues
• Seasonal allergies
• Asthma symptoms
• Pain relief
• Fights fatigue
• Mind
• Skin
• Sleep
• Possible cancer-fighting properties

Mint Recipes:

Chilled Mint Tea

How to make a great cup of hot Mint Tea

How to make an authentic Southern Mint Julep.

How to make a cooling Mint Foot Scrub

More about Herbs

All About Herbs

Harvesting, Preserving, Storing Herbs

Preparing and Storing Dried Herbs Video

Coming up:

How to make minty non-toxic carpet freshener.

Sources:

Dr. Mercola

Dr. Axe

PubMed

Many benefits, even Cancer-fighting properties