MINT
In the Middle Ages it was called "Spere Mynte" and was used to cure all manner of ills and as a stewing herb, laid on the floors to keep the rooms sweet smelling. In France the liqueur Creme de menthe is widely drunk as a digestif.

Garden Mint is a very well known perennial herb with an attractive characteristic scent and familiar flavour. Mint is a useful and attractive plamt to grow in the garden, though once established it's underground creeping stems will spread rapidly unless contained. There are many different varieties of mint which can be grown and used the same way as garden mint but the flavour and scent of fresh picked garden mint is the best of all.

In the kitchen mint , both fresh and dried, is used in many different ways. Mint Jelly and Mint Sauce is traditionally served with lamb. It is delicious when added to vegetables such as peas, beans, carrots and potatoes, or to pea soup or poached fish or chicken. Mint syrup is an unusual flavour in fruit salad or stewed fruit and mint ice cream has a refreshing cool taste. Garden mint is added to fruit or wine cups and adds an excellent flavour to punch; iced mint tea with a slice of lemon and sweetened with a little honey is a refreshing drink on a hot summer day.

Garden Mint grows well in a rather moist spot in the sun or semi-shade. It is propogated by dividing the roots of an established plant in early spring. Small jointed pieces of rootstock can be planted in trenches or boxes a hand's width apart with a good covering of soil. Water well and when large enough, set out the mint plants in their final position. To keep mint plants from taking over the garden bed and stangling other plants, cut the bottom out of a large plastic pot, sink it into the garden bed leaving about two inches above the soil level, fill with soil and compost, and plant the mint plants inside the pot. This will contain the roots and keep the plant manageable.
Mint tea or infusion will help to relieve and prevent flatulence and aid in digestion.
To make the Infusion:
Pour 1 cup of boiling water onto a large handful of fresh chopped mint or 1 tablespoon dried mint. Leave to infuse for 5 minutes then strain and add honey to sweeten. A small glassful can be taken twice a day after meals.
Mint infusion should not be taken last thing at night by those suffering with sleeplessness as it might make the condition worse.
The infusion can be taken as a remedy for nausea and vertigo and will help stop the hiccups.



An inhalation will help to relieve troublesome coughs and distressing bronchitis. To make the Inhalation:
Put 2 handfuls of fresh crushed mint leaves into a bowl and pour 2 cupfuls of boiling water over them. Cover the head and bowl with a towel,close the eyes and inhale the steam for about 10 minutes. Afterwards wipe the face dry and rest in a warm room.

Dried garden mint leaves and flowerheads add a lovely fragrant scent to pot pourris, herb cushions and other mixtures of dried herbs. Laid amongst clothes, cloth bags filled with mint will help to repel moths.

Corsican Mint, another popular variety which is particularly suited to growing in pots.

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