| The cooling freshness of mint is loved by all, | | | | few drops of peppermint oil on a cold, wet |
| isn’t it? Most of us associate the leaf/plant | | | | washcloth and place over your forehead to relax |
| with wonderfully fresh breath but rarely do most | | | | your senses. If you don’t have any fresh |
| pick up a bunch of mint from the market to use | | | | mint at home, add a drop of peppermint oil to a |
| for other purposes and it’s a downright | | | | cup of herbal tea to help digestion, gas and ease |
| shame! Whether spearmint, peppermint or some | | | | heartburn. It makes a great massage cream |
| other type of mint (by the way, I love the | | | | when added to unscented body cream, too |
| chocolate mint—I chop up some leaves over | | | | –and quite invigorating in the hot summer |
| fresh fruit and have got a lovely, low-cal dessert!) | | | | months, especially if you’re trying to cut back |
| the uses for mint are almost endless. Fresh or | | | | on air conditioning bills. |
| dried, the leaves have a pleasant warm, fresh, | | | | Place a few drops of peppermint oil on an oil |
| aromatic and sweet flavor with a cool aftertaste, | | | | burner to freshen a room and kill air-born |
| and are great in teas, jellies, syrups, candies and | | | | bacteria. A few drops of peppermint oil in a |
| ice cream. | | | | footbath aids in relieving tired feet, and it’s |
| In some parts of the Middle East, they use mint in | | | | even great for freshening laundry—just add |
| lamb dishes and you’ll almost always get | | | | 2-3 drops of peppermint oil to a dry washcloth |
| served a nice cup of mint tea after a heavy | | | | and add to the dryer with your clothes. And |
| meal—great for digestion. A drop of mint oil is | | | | finally, my favorite use for peppermint oil—I |
| delicious in chocolate when serving up some | | | | always carry a container of encapsulated mint oil |
| chocolate fondue after a meal, and I love adding | | | | for between meals to prevent gas from food I |
| fresh mint leaves to fruit and vegetable salads for | | | | don’t digest well. You could also rub some |
| a hint of something different and fresh. | | | | on the belly or lower back area to relieve gas |
| Aside from its use in food, mint comes to our | | | | pains, as it’s absorbed through the skin. A |
| rescue in so many other ways, as well. It’s | | | | minty relief! |
| a great relief if you get bad headaches; just put a | | | | |