Cooling Herb & Spice Series- MINT (Mentha)

Mint is a a cooling herb with over 13- 18  species. Each leaf is filled with essential vitamins and minerals that help aid a variety of ailments. If you are looking to clear your skin, relieve respiratory symptoms or soothe your arthritis pain - mint is a must in your medicinal garden of herbs and spices. 

Health Benefits: 
Respiratory: Menthol is an organic compound that occurs naturally in mint and some other plants.  Boil water and steep mint leaves for a few minutes. Let cool and rub on chest, nose and upper back.

Aches & Pains: Mint can help relieve the symptoms of muscle aches, sprains and joint pains due to arthritis. Pour 8- 10 drops of mint oil on a warm washcloth and apply to muscle or joint.

Dab mint oil on your temples or forehead to relieve tension headaches. The aroma of mint tends to have a calming effect.

Digestive: Soothes the lining of the digestive tract and stimulates the production of bile.  Relieves symptoms of nausea and mild indigestion. Boil water and steep mint leaves to make a mint tea.

Skin: Mint can relieve the symptoms of itching and irritation from abrasions, minor cuts, scrapes and burns.  Mint is also used as a great cleanser for skin breakouts and acne.  Blend leaves or crush and rub on face.  Wash with cool water.  Mint can also be mixed with cucumbers and lemons to make a glowing face mask.  Honey and olive oil work well with mint as a face mask too.

CHOCOLATE MINT SMOOTHIE 

3/4 cup mashed avocado
1 cup unsweetened almond milk
1/4 cup organic chocolate chips ( raw dark chocolate chunks) 
1 cup Kale 
1 scoop hemp dark chocolate protein powder 
1/4 cup fresh mint 
1-2 cups crushed ice 

BLEND. POUR. ENJOY.