Mint

(Mentha)

Qualities

Drying | Warming | Refreshing

Taste

Pungent (Spicy)

Mint derives its name from the ancient Greek mythical character ‘Minthe’. According to the Greek myth, Minthe was a river nymph. Hades, the God of the underworld, fell in love with her, and when Persephone, Hades’s wife, found out, she turned Minthe into a plant so that everyone would walk over her and crush her. Unable to undo the spell, Hades gave Minthe a magnificent aroma so that he could smell her and be near her when people trod on her.

Away from the mythical world, we know that mint gets its aroma from menthol; an essential oil present in its leaves. Menthol provides effective relief from many respiratory problems including nasal congestion, sinusitis, asthma, bronchitis, coughing, and the common cold.

Blend 2-3 drops of peppermint essential oil with 2 tablespoons of carrier oil (like sesame, olive, or almond oil), and massage it onto your chest or diffuse it in a diffuser to help clear any congestion in the lungs and sinuses. You can also do a peppermint oil steam by adding few drops into a pot of boiling water. Place a towel over your head, position your face above the pot and breathe the steam in. Keep your eyes closed to prevent burning.

Mint is also used as a digestive aid. It is a carminative; it has the ability to effectively treat indigestion and bloating of the abdomen. Drinking a strong mint tea, a glass of water with a drop of peppermint oil, or simply applying the same oil blend from before onto your stomach, can help dispel gas and alleviate an upset tummy.