Thursday 21 November 2013

3 Amazingly Creative Ways to Use Mint



I am in love with the colour mint, I just adore how pure and delicate it is. May be that is the main reason why, recently, a friend of mine gave me a mint plant as a present. Now that I have it, I realised it is a great addition to every home. Not only it smells fantastic, but it also can be used for many great purposes. Curious to find out more? Just read below ...



Using mint is very beneficial for a range of uses in the home and for your health as well. Just having a mint plant in a room can be uplifting just simply as an aroma. There are many different varieties of mint plants and they are very easy to grow. Ideally, they should be grown in pots or a bedded area as the plant tends to spread very quickly. It’s extremely versatile as you can use fresh or dried leaves and is also available as an essential oil, although you should be careful using it when treating children.

1. For Health Purposes

 

When you’re feeling ill from a stomach upset, drinking mint tea will help to combat most kinds of stomach problems, including travel sickness and indigestion. If you have the flu, infusing the leaves with steaming water can help to alleviate chesty or nasal problems when you breathe in the steamed water. Before going to bed, drink a cup of warm mint tea and head for a better night’s sleep - this works wonders for your stress levels and headaches too. Finally, you can also use it to freshen up your breath when needed. 


2. For Cooking of Delicious Meals 

Using mint in the kitchen is very versatile and can be added to an array of both sweet and savoury dishes including curries and meat marinades. Even using a small handful of chopped mint can add colour and flavour any salad including potato salad or a yogurt salad dressing. It can also be used for desserts such as chocolate mints and ice-cream...and you can even wash it all down with a mojito cocktail made with mint! Or, on a hot day, make a jug of iced mint tea as a refreshing alternative to a cold drink.


3. At Home

Mint plants aren’t just around the house as a green foliage addition. They can be used to help with your home cleaning and improvement. Housekeepers London taught me the following trick: Use a few drops of essential oil as a natural deodoriser to get your home smelling fresh. No need to buy commercial aromatizers (which by the way are harmful when inhaled). This can equally work on your carpets by scattering dried mint leaves with baking soda and leave for a hour before hoovering. You can also use a few drops of essential oil in a spray bottle with water to spray around the home to combat swarms of summer flies, moths, ants and midges. Placing a rag soaked in peppermint oil near an area will also help to warn off mice you might have as they hate the smell.

So, next time when planting, better consider growing mint.

 

No comments:

Post a Comment