Dried mint. Harvesting mint - secrets of drying and storage Which plants are suitable for drying

Mint is a medicinal plant that has been known to people since ancient times. Mint of different varieties can be found in every household plot; it is very popular all over the world. Unfortunately, the summer season when mint can be consumed fresh is not so long. For this reason, the leaves of this aromatic plant are prepared for future use. A vegetable and fruit dryer can help you with this.

History of the use of dried mint

An ancient Greek legend says that the nymph Mintha, whom Hades fell in love with, was turned into a plant by his wife Persephone. Hades, in memory of his beloved, gave this plant a delicate, pleasant aroma, and in honor of Minta, the plant began to be called mint. In ancient times, mint was revered for its healing properties.

It is known that in ancient Rome mint was widely used as a natural flavoring. Tables were rubbed with mint water, dried mint was hung in banquet halls to lift the mood, and many famous commanders believed that the aroma of mint promoted concentration.

In Ancient Greece, a drink made from dried mint was considered an aphrodisiac. And dried bunches of mint found in the tombs of the pharaohs prove that the plant was used as incense. The ancient Greeks loved to eat mint.

Mint was also revered in Rus'. Mint tea is one of the drinks that has survived to this day from ancient times. And on Trinity Day, young girls and boys put mint under the pillow to see their betrothed in a dream. Subsequently, this sprig of mint was dried and stored.

How to choose the right mint for drying?

Dried mint can be stored all winter without losing its fresh aroma and healing properties. The main thing is to know how to prepare it correctly. Dried mint in pharmacies is usually sold in crushed form, so it is not clear what exactly is included in the raw material - stems or leaves. But when preparing mint, this point is important to consider.

If you want to harvest mint stems, wait until the plant blooms. This happens closer to mid-summer. Flowering time is the most favorable time for drying mint stems.

It doesn’t matter what type of mint you are going to prepare for the winter - the Isidri dryer will help you preserve the maximum of nutrients and the natural color of mint. Fragrant dried mint will be an excellent seasoning for any dishes. Its refreshing taste will remind you of summer, and the beneficial properties of this medicinal plant will help you maintain your health.

Dry and enjoy!

There is a lot of controversy about the properties of mint. This plant can bring great benefits to the body, and can cause infertility. The article reveals all the secrets of the competent use of this fragrant plant.

Mint is the most ancient medicinal plant. Doctors already in the times of the Assyrians and Egyptian pharaohs used its healing properties.

It received its name from the ancient Greeks. Legend has it that Persephone, the wife of Hades (Hades), the god of the underworld, turned his mistress Mentha into a plant. This is how mint appeared, a delicate plant with a cool smell.

How is mint beneficial for women and men?

Mint is considered more of a “female herb” because it brings more benefits to the female body.

Benefits of mint for women:

regulates hormonal levels, reducing testosterone levels and increasing progesterone levels
improves physical condition during PMS, menopause, reduces menstrual pain
relieves nausea during pregnancy toxicosis

Benefits of mint for men:

increases the tone of the whole body, which helps to increase potency
increases sensitivity and reduces tension, which increases the pleasure of lovemaking

But mint should not be taken in large doses, like any medicine.

How to brew mint correctly?

brew mint in a porcelain container, if you don’t have one, then in a glass one
Before putting mint in the teapot, pour boiling water over it
pour mint with water 5 minutes after boiling, and not immediately, in order to preserve microelements as much as possible
leave after pouring boiling water for 15 minutes
For 1 glass of prepared tea, it is recommended to take 1 tsp. fresh or 0.5 tsp. dry mint leaves. These are the proportions for tea; more mint is added to medicinal decoctions
Drink mint tea only freshly brewed and without sugar.

Peppermint tea is a drink on its own, but you can add mint leaves to regular tea or herbal teas.

The benefits and harms of mint tea

Thanks to the main active ingredient - menthol, mint tea soothes the soul and strengthens the body:

reduces pain
regulates metabolic processes
removes spasms
improves the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract
increases mental activity
regulates the functioning of the cardiovascular system
tones and invigorates
calms the nervous system

Mint tea can only cause harm if consumed in excess. Heart pain, drowsiness, headaches, dizziness, sleep disturbances, heartburn, and weakness may occur. Frequent consumption of mint tea (more than 3 cups daily) has a detrimental effect on “male strength” and the ability to conceive.

Use of mint in medicine

Mint has anti-inflammatory, analgesic, choleretic, and sedative properties.

In medicine it is used in the treatment of many diseases:

insomnia
neuralgia
hypertension
gastritis
gynecological diseases
asthma, vomiting, colds, rheumatism

Various tablets, ointments, and drops contain a mint component.

What are the benefits of mint decoction?

Decoctions have a high concentration of nutrients. Decoctions are prepared if it is necessary to have a profound effect on the body.

Benefits of mint decoction:

regulates digestion
promotes weight loss
reduces blood sugar concentration
has a positive effect on the immune system
normalizes sweating
lowers blood pressure
protects the body from the effects of radiation
treats cough, relieves sore throat, reduces headaches
relieves heartburn, nausea
normalizes blood circulation

Peppermint tincture: medicinal properties and contraindications

The high usefulness of peppermint is determined by its composition:

essential oil- menthol, provides the taste, smell, analgesia and antispasmodic properties of mint
tannins- give an antiseptic, anti-inflammatory effect, accelerate the healing process, destroy bacteria
carotene- natural immunostimulant
vitamin P- reduces capillary permeability, relieves swelling and inflammation
ascorbic acid- strengthens the immune system, reduces vascular permeability
betaine- regulates the digestive system by activating fat metabolism in the liver and stimulating bile production
phytosterols- “plant hormones”, reduce cholesterol concentrations, improve metabolism
phytoncides- provide protection against bacteria and microorganisms
microelements- regulate the functioning of the nervous system, the production of enzymes

There are also several contraindications to the use of mint tincture:

allergy
hypotension
low stomach acidity
varicose veins, since menthol reduces the tone of blood vessels
liver and kidney diseases

Melissa mint: medicinal properties

Melissa is also called “lemon mint” because it has a mint-lemon aroma.
There is less essential oil in lemon balm than in mint, so it is more often used in cooking as a seasoning, and not just as a flavoring agent.
Lemon mint is used to combat depression, as an antiviral and antispasmodic agent.

Medicinal properties of mint tincture

Alcohol tincture of mint is used for neuralgia, irritability, and insomnia. It relieves pain and reduces spasms. Apply a few drops to the temples, forehead, back of the head and rub. Or take 10-15 drops shortly before bedtime for a week
For bronchitis, inflammation of the nasopharynx and trachea, the tincture is used for inhalation. Mint relieves swelling and inflammation, reduces pain, and makes breathing easier. Solution: add 15 drops of tincture to 1 liter of hot water, breathe in this steam. Repeat 3-4 times a day
Mint tincture can be made as follows: pour 20g of dry leaves with 100 ml of alcohol, moonshine with a strength of 75%. But you can also use regular vodka. Leave in a dark place for 2 weeks. Take 3 times a day, 25 drops, which must be diluted in 1 glass of water. Used to relieve spasms, migraines, nausea and vomiting

Effect of mint on the heart

Mint is useful in the treatment of angina pectoris, as it dilates the coronary vessels and stabilizes the heart rhythm. Included in validol and valocordin. It normalizes cardiac activity and improves blood circulation
For heart diseases, it is useful to drink the infusion: 4 tbsp. dry mint is poured with a liter of boiling water. The decoction should be left to steep for about 2 hours. You can drink it like regular tea. The calming effect of tea will increase if you add valerian root
You need to limit yourself to 2-3 cups a day, otherwise the pain in the heart will resume and headaches will begin.

Mint for depression

To relieve depression, it is good to use mint tea: 1 tbsp. a spoonful of dry leaves is poured into a glass of boiling water immediately after boiling. Leave for 1 hour. Take half a glass in the morning and at night
If the condition is very serious, then prepare a decoction: 1 tbsp. Pour a spoonful of dry leaves into 1 glass of water and boil the infusion for 10 minutes. After boiling, leave for another 10-20 minutes, strain. Take the decoction 1 tablespoon 3-4 times a day before meals for 2-4 weeks

Mint for infertility

Infertility is a direct contraindication to the use of mint infusions and decoctions. Especially if you use field mint rather than peppermint.

But if the cause of infertility in women is an increased number of male hormones - androgens, then the doctor may prescribe mint infusion. It has been proven that 2 cups of infusion per day significantly reduces androgen levels.

Peppermint tea during pregnancy. Can pregnant women drink mint?

It is not recommended for pregnant women to drink mint, as this can cause uterine tone. Peppermint also increases estrogen levels in the body, which can contribute to miscarriage.
But since mint relieves nausea well, it is recommended to drink mint tea for toxicosis, dizziness, heartburn, and colds. But no more than 2 cups a day and after 3-4 days it is advisable to take a break
The dosage of mint tea for a pregnant woman should first be discussed with a doctor.

Is it possible to give mint to children?

It is forbidden to give mint tea to children under 3 years of age. If the child is not very active, then mint should not be given until 5-6 years of age, since mint can cause drowsiness and lethargy.

In addition, mint can become a source of allergies in children. Therefore, before giving your child mint tea, you should consult your pediatrician.

Soothing mint infusions for young children

For young children, you can prepare decoctions of mint, which are added to the bathtub. This bath will relax and calm the baby and can be used for up to a year.

Prepare a simple decoction:

take 50g of the collection - oregano, mint, calendula flowers in equal parts
Pour three liters of boiling water, leave for half an hour
Add the strained infusion to 10 liters of water
In such baths it is necessary to bathe the child before bedtime 3 times a week
The minimum number of procedures is 5-7, if there is no allergy and the child likes it

Peppermint essential oil: properties and uses

The aroma of mint affects a person on an emotional, physical and mental level.
Peppermint oil has a tonic effect. Its aroma restores strength, relieves stress, increases mental activity, relieves tension, relieves headaches, and restores heart rate.
For headaches, rub mint oil on the forehead, back of the head, temples, and then apply a cold compress to the head.
In case of nervous disorders or fears, it is good to have a handkerchief in your pocket with a few drops of oil on it, so that in case of nervous exhaustion you can inhale the aroma
If you faint, instead of ammonia, you can sniff mint oil and rub it into your temples
To reduce stomach pain, rub essential oil on your stomach and apply a cold compress. Also, for pain, bloating, heartburn, it will help if you drink a glass of water with 2-4 drops of oil; or eat a piece of sugar with 2-4 drops of essential mint essence
Baths with 6 drops of mint will help restore your heart rhythm. The same baths will improve the condition of the liver
Nausea will go away if you inhale the aroma of mint oil.
Compresses with mint oil (4-6 drops are enough) help with acute respiratory infections: relieve coughing attacks, relieve fever
Massage with mint (6 drops per 10 ml of basic massage oil) will help relieve pain from arthritis, bruises, rheumatism, sprains, muscle pain
If you apply a cotton wool with essential oil to a sore tooth, the pain will subside
Aromatherapy using essential oil (3-6 drops per aroma lamp) of mint is an excellent method of relaxation

Using mint oil on the face

To keep your facial skin toned, wipe it daily ice cubes from mint infusion:
1 tbsp. a spoonful of dry leaves per half liter of boiling water, leave for 2-3 hours, filter and freeze in ice cube trays. This procedure will improve blood circulation in the skin and prevent inflammation.
If you wash your face with this infusion 2-3 times a day, your skin condition will improve significantly, and age spots and wrinkles will be less noticeable.

Rejuvenating mask with mint:

mix 1 cup oatmeal (finely ground), 2 tbsp. spoons of mint infusion, 3 tbsp. spoons of warm milk. Apply the mask for 15-20 minutes. The skin should be clean. Rinse it off. It is better to perform the procedure before bedtime

Using mint oil for hair

Mint can help with the following hair problems:

dandruff
oily scalp
brittle, dull hair

To do this, add mint oil to the shampoo at the rate of 2 drops per 10g of shampoo (1 serving of shampoo). This enrichment helps increase blood circulation, activates hair growth, relieves inflammation of the skin, and removes itching and irritation.

You can make a mint mouthwash. Take 2 tbsp. spoons of mint and 1 tbsp. Boil water for 10-15 minutes. Cool, strain, add 3-4 drops of mint oil. After washing your hair, you need to rinse your hair with this decoction and rub it a little into the roots.

Mask with mint oil for weakened and colored hair: to 2 tbsp. Add 2 drops of mint oil to spoons of castor oil. Apply oil to your hair and cover your head with film. Leave the mask on for about 40 minutes. Rinse your hair with shampoo.

For oily/normal hair, use the recipe: mix 2 egg yolks, 1 tsp. lemon juice, 3-5 drops of mint oil. Leave the mask for 15-20 minutes, rinse with shampoo.

Peppermint essential oil for acne

To get rid of acne, just wipe your face with a cotton pad with a few drops of mint essence 2-3 times a day. This must be done gently and carefully.

For oily/combination skin, you can add mint oil to a toner or gel to cleanse the skin, which will help cleanse the skin of rashes and make it healthier.

Use of mint in cooking

In cooking, it is better to use apple or spearmint. These types do not produce bitterness when heated. But pepper is also popular
Fresh mint is used to season meat and vegetable dishes, salads, and is used to make cocktails, liqueurs, ice cream, desserts, candies, and used as decorations. Dry leaves are also used, but mainly for making tea, infusions, as a seasoning for meat, for sauces, in baking
Mint is used as an independent spice, trying not to combine it with others. Its dose should be minimal: 1-5g of fresh herbs, 0.2-0.5g of dried herbs per serving. Add mint to dishes shortly before cooking, 5-10 minutes

Liliya Vladimirovna, 47 years old:

“I make my own face masks. I apply the mask once a week. In 4 months, pigment spots became less noticeable, and skin tone really improved. It seems to me that I look fresher, as if after a rest. But the wrinkles haven’t gone away.”

Anna, 20 years old:

“I have been getting acne regularly since I was 13 years old. The pores on the nose and cheekbones are enlarged. Now I wash my face with a gel to which I added essential oil (2 drops per 10g of gel, added directly to the bottle and mixed), I cauterize any inflammation that appears with mint tincture and drink tea with mint once a day. The face has become cleaner, and acne appears less. I don’t know what helped, maybe in combination.”

Olga, 30 years old:

“I really love taking a bath with peppermint oil. I add mint, lavender and rose oil to the bath, 6-10 drops. The effect is amazing, I feel great after it, rested and cheerful.”

Lyudmila Ivanovna, 55 years old:

“On the advice of my daughter, I began to wipe my face with ice cubes from mint infusion. Helps you wake up in the morning and relieve swelling.”

Karina, 35 years old:

“I used to drink coffee in the morning, now I switched to a green smoothie: you need to take one small bunch of parsley and mint, half a lemon without zest, 2-3 tbsp. spoons of honey, 1.5-2 liters of water. Mix everything in a blender, drink it fresh, it helps to cheer you up in the morning.”

Video: About mint

There are several ways to dry mint for the winter: in bulk, in bunches, by natural drying, in an electric dryer, in the oven, in the microwave. In this recipe with photos, I will show you how to dry mint at home in the easiest way - outdoors. The leaves dry naturally, without being subjected to heat treatment, dry evenly and retain the maximum amount of aromatic substances. In winter, dried mint can be used in cooking as a spice or as a component for herbal tea, or added to vitamin preparations from beneficial plants.

How to dry mint for the winter at home

We will need:

Bunches of mint;
kitchen towel or cotton cloth;
glass jars with lids.

How to properly dry mint in the fresh air

After cutting, the essential oils from the spicy herbs quickly evaporate; you need to prepare them immediately, while the mint is fresh and aromatic. Place the bunches in a container with cold water for two to three minutes. Shake off any water droplets and place in a colander. Cover and shake vigorously to drain the water faster.

It is better to dry mint for tea, tinctures, and decoctions with whole leaves, so they retain the aroma longer. Tear off the leaves from the branches; the apical shoots (a rosette of two or three leaves) can be left intact. Throw away yellowed, dark, damaged ones without regret, there is nothing useful in them anymore.

To dry mint, you need to choose a place where there is no direct sunlight and it is better to use natural cotton fabrics or linen fabric. Cover the table or boards, baking trays, sprinkle mint leaves in a thin layer - this way it will dry faster and not freeze. Do not cover with anything until all the water has evaporated. After a few hours, the mint will air out, wilt, and you can cover it with paper or a thin cloth.

Important! Drying mint in the sun or at high temperatures is unacceptable! Under the hot rays of the sun, it will lose all its healing properties, the leaves will curl, become fragile, and the aroma will almost disappear. You need to dry mint at home at a temperature not exceeding +30 degrees.

After a few days the mint will dry out. The time depends on weather conditions, temperature and humidity. When it is dry and hot, the greens will dry in about three days; in cool, rainy weather it will take about a week. During drying, you need to stir and stir up the dried leaves. To determine the degree of dryness, rub the leaf with your fingers. Mint is considered dry and ready for storage if the leaf breaks easily and crumbles. If it just wrinkles, then you need to dry it some more.

When to collect mint for drying for the winter

The most common question is when to collect and dry mint: before flowering or after? The best time is considered to be the period when enough green mass is growing - there are many leaves of different sizes on the stems, and flower buds are already appearing at the top. During this period, the largest amount of essential oils and nutrients is concentrated in the plant, and the aroma is very strong.

Mint collection is done in different ways. They pick off only the leaves, without branches, or cut off the shoots by about a third of the length of the stem so that the plant has the strength to produce new shoots. Then in a few weeks you can make another cut.

Cutting should be done in dry weather, in the first half of the day, while the sun is not very bright and strong. In the heat and in the middle of the day, mint is not so fragrant, it loses its freshness and elasticity.

How to store dried mint

The best containers for storing herbs are glass jars with tight-fitting lids. Pour dried herbs into clean, dry jars and compact. Screw on the lids and place in a dark, dry place. You can grind it into powder or crumble it into smaller pieces before use; whole leaves retain beneficial substances better and remain fragrant longer.

In addition to cans, linen or cotton bags are suitable. Dried mint is poured into them, tied tightly and hung in a dry, shaded place.

Cardboard boxes and paper bags are not suitable - they will quickly absorb aromatic oils, and the mint will become practically useless.

If the necessary conditions are met, the shelf life of dried mint is up to two years.

How to use dried mint

Whole and crushed dry mint leaves are added to herbal teas, black and green tea, vitamin and healing mixtures, brewed with dried and fresh berries, and flavored compotes.

Dried mint can be used as a seasoning in the preparation of first and second courses, added to broths, vegetable and fruit salads, various sauces, baked goods, and desserts. Dried mint has a very strong aroma and rich taste, so it is added to any dishes in small quantities, less than fresh, so as not to overdo it.

The mint is washed under running water.

Drain in a colander.

I spread it in a thin layer on a wooden or plastic board - not in the sun.

It dries quite quickly - in three days.

Maybe a little longer - depending on the climate of your region...

Mint sprigs must be protected from direct sunlight, otherwise the essential oils will quickly evaporate. Place mint sprigs in the shade.

In large and tightly tied bunches, mint will dry slowly; in the middle of the bunch, the leaves can become steamed and rot.

Dried mint is separated from the branches.

Store dried mint in glass jars or in bags made of natural fabric or in a plastic container - as I do.

The twigs are not thrown away - tea is brewed on site.

If the mint is exposed to direct sunlight during drying, it will turn black and become unusable, losing all its beneficial qualities.

But mint can also be used to decorate such a magnificent dish as orange salad and other dishes for the holiday table.

Add fresh mint to savory poultry and lamb dishes, dried mint to first courses.

Dried ground mint is used to make baked goods and other flour products.

As a seasoning, mint is added to various vegetables - cucumbers, tomatoes, cabbage, carrots, potatoes and legumes.

Mint can improve the taste and smell of a variety of sauces.

Since ancient times, mint has been considered an essential ingredient in the production of soft and refreshing drinks; it is also added to syrups, compotes, jelly, fruit drinks, and tea.

Dried mint- contains menthol (60-70%) and menthol (16-18%). In addition, the composition includes limonene, cineole, pinene, mentho-furan, thymol, carvacrol, caryophyllene and other components.

A derivative of essential oil from dried mint - menthol - is used as a bactericidal, vasodilator and analgesic.

Peppermint oil is an integral part of stomach tablets, mint drops, and ointments for the common cold.

Dried peppermint components are included in validol, valocordin, corvalol, and Zelenin drops.

Dried mint stimulates appetite, improves digestion, and relieves nausea. It is used as a choleretic agent, as well as for inflammatory diseases.

other herbs are prescribed for high acidity, pulmonary and cardiovascular diseases, gynecological bleeding.

Dried mint baths relieve nervous excitement (recommended for young children suffering from jaundice and rickets).

A decoction of dried mint leaves is a good remedy for disinfecting the oral cavity.

In folk medicine, an infusion of dried mint is drunk for pain in the stomach and heart, cough, nausea, and heartburn.

Dried mint is used in the perfume and cosmetics industry.

Essential oil is used in the production of creams, colognes, elixirs, toothpastes and powders to give them freshness and bactericidal properties.

Dried mint is used to flavor tobacco, chewing gum, tea, confectionery, and syrups.

Dried mint is added to pickled herring, mint oil is added to mint gingerbread cookies, which has a cooling, refreshing taste, and is used to flavor drinks in the alcoholic beverage industry.

Peppermint oil is used for confectionery production and drying.

In cooking, mint is used to flavor buns, cookies, fruit drinks, jelly, compotes; dried mint is used to flavor roast lamb, side dishes of stewed cabbage, carrots, and peas; added to sauces.

Many household plots have a vegetable garden, where, in addition to potatoes, cucumbers and tomatoes, herbs and aromatic spices grow. Some of them are suitable only for use in cooking, while others have a lot of useful properties and are used to treat various diseases. One of these plants is fragrant mint. It has a minimum of contraindications. This is an excellent ingredient for preparing not only refreshing cocktails, but also most cosmetic products, medicinal decoctions and tinctures.

What is mint

Science knows about 40 species and hybrids of this fragrant plant, but only one is recognized by official medicine - peppermint. This herbaceous, seemingly unremarkable plant belongs to the Yamnotaceae family. On a horizontal trunk, reaching a height of up to one meter, oblong leaves with sharp edges and a heart-shaped base are located crosswise. Small flowers of a light purple hue are collected in inflorescences on the tops of the shoots.

Chemical composition

The plant is valued not for its appearance, but for its qualities. Mint is very refreshing, smells nice and has a rich composition. 100 grams of fresh leaves contain 70 kilocalories, of which 15 g are carbohydrates, 4 g are proteins, 1 g are fats. In addition to the essential oil, which gives the plant its characteristic smell, it contains potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, calcium, iron, almost all B vitamins, ascorbic and nicotinic acid, and retinol. Among other chemical elements, the following stand out:

tannins;
carotene;
routine;
hesperidin;
betaine;
arginine;
glucose;
neutral saponins;
phytostyrene;
rhamnose;
acids – oleic, caffeic, ursolic, chlorogenic.

Medicinal properties of peppermint

The herbaceous plant is used to create many preparations: lollipops, alcoholic pepper tinctures, mint drops, essential oils for inhalation. Mint has antiseptic properties and has choleretic and bactericidal effects. Preparations containing this plant are used to relieve abdominal pain, heart pain, toothache, and in the treatment of migraines, diseases of the stomach, liver, and digestive system.

Recent research by scientists has revealed an anti-cancer effect, and therefore medications with mint extracts have begun to be actively used for the prevention of cancer of various etiologies. The aromatic herb increases the resistance of body cells when exposed to radioactive substances, helps restore the functioning of the immune system, and relieves inflammation.

The benefits of mint don't end there. Menthol essential oil has a pronounced antispasmodic, antiseptic and mild vasoconstrictor effect. Thanks to these beneficial properties, mint extracts are included in heart medications, and fresh herbs are recommended during the treatment of angina pectoris and atherosclerosis. There is unconfirmed evidence that menthol has a beneficial effect on the condition of blood vessels in the brain.

Useful properties for women

Some experts claim that in the absence of congenital defects of the reproductive system and contraindications, drinking mint tea with lemon will help in the treatment of female infertility. In addition, the fair sex uses mint leaves, roots and stems to prepare:

Homemade lotions, creams, face masks. The use of this herb for cosmetic purposes improves the condition of problem skin (narrows pores, relieves redness, removes oily shine), refreshes the complexion, and fights fine expression wrinkles.
Decoctions and tinctures. The healing properties of mint for women are associated with the treatment of gynecological diseases. Medicines are used during heavy menstruation, to eliminate sudden mood swings, and during menopause.
Sitz baths that will help relieve pain, eliminate itching and burning due to cystitis. The procedures are contraindicated for pain of unknown etiology and for women with hypersensitive skin.

During pregnancy

Mint strips and menthol lozenges will be useful during pregnancy. Traditional healers especially recommend drinking tea with mint in the first trimester for pregnant women who suffer from severe toxicosis. A refreshing drink relieves nausea, helps avoid vomiting during meals, eliminates heartburn, constipation, and bloating. Fresh mint leaves can be added to salads, marinades, and baked goods.

At the first sign of a cold, medications made from this spice will help relieve sore throat, swelling of the nasal mucosa, and muscle pain. To cope with toxicosis in pregnant women, you can use only fresh or dried leaves, but a concentrated extract of oils is strictly contraindicated. It contains a high percentage of menthol, which has the ability to reduce vascular tone. Menthol can lead to uterine hypertonicity, bleeding, and provoke premature birth.

When breastfeeding

According to official medicine, it is contraindicated to consume peppermint products during lactation. Numerous experiments have shown that systematic use of menthol inhibits the production of breast milk. The use of preparations based on mint extracts is advisable only for the smooth end of the breastfeeding period.

Not all types of this plant have such a negative effect on lactation: some suppress it, while others have the ability to increase the quantity and quality of milk. These plants include spearmint and essential oils from it. This herb contains a minimal amount of menthol, but another substance predominates - carvone, which is useful for nursing mothers. Before starting to take any menthol preparations, you should first take into account all the medicinal properties and contraindications of mint for women.

Mint for sleep

An inconspicuous-looking plant can calm raging nerves, which is why it is often included in sedative medicinal preparations. Even a regular cup of tea with mint leaves will help you relax and fall asleep peacefully. For insomnia, it is recommended to brew the pepper variety in the following proportions: 1 part herb, the same amount of green tea or chamomile inflorescences to 5 parts boiling water. This drink will have a calming effect throughout the day, but it should be consumed with caution - the sedative effect affects the ability to respond quickly and inhibits reactions.

For a cold

Mint can both help cure viral diseases and cause them to appear if you decide to abuse the refreshing drink in hot summer weather. The leaves of the plant contain a large amount of essential oil, which has anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antiseptic effects. During epidemics of respiratory diseases, doctors recommend inhaling the smell of menthol, doing inhalations, and preparing medicinal teas. This treatment is contraindicated for children under 6 years of age.

For men

The beneficial properties of mint and contraindications for men are the most controversial topic. On the one hand this plant:

helps relieve fatigue;
get rid of excessive sweating of the feet;
normalizes sleep;
makes blood more fluid, improving blood circulation;
has a choleretic effect, preventing the development of urolithiasis, normalizes liver function;
makes breathing easier, which is useful if a man smokes;
relieves stress;
helps to cool down during the heat.

On the other hand, scientists from the American Institute of Nutrition have found that the plant contains a large amount of female hormones - phytoestrogens, which negatively affect potency. To do this, they conducted an interesting experiment. Instead of regular water, scientists gave a group of experimental rodents mint tea. At the end of the test, a decrease in the level of testosterone in the blood was revealed, the rodents completely lost interest in females, and infertility developed. Given these data, it is contraindicated for men to abuse such drinks.

Useful properties and contraindications of lemon balm

It has another name – lemon balm. The plant has been used in folk and scientific medicine for more than 20 centuries in many countries around the world. The useful herb is found in the south of Russia and the Caucasus, and is often grown not only on an industrial scale, but also in garden plots for personal use. Melissa is rich in various micro- and macroelements, but most of all it contains vitamin C. The medicinal herb improves immunity and has antipyretic properties, therefore it is often used to treat colds.

Among other beneficial properties, it is worth highlighting the antispasmodic, sedative, antidepressant, and antimicrobial effects of lemon balm. A wide range of therapeutic effects has led to the use of the plant for treatment:

neuroses;
eczema;
dermatitis;
tachyarrhythmias;
arterial hypertension;
flatulence;
intestinal dysbiosis;
dyskinesia;
acute and chronic gastrointestinal diseases;
nervous disorders;
headaches.

Children are shown a relatively limited list of medicinal plants, which include lemon balm. The beneficial properties of this medicinal herb make it possible to use it for the treatment of childhood neuroses, rheumatism, obesity, diabetes, chronic cholecystitis and pyelonephritis. Medicines based on lemon balm are often used in herbal medicine for children born with heart defects.

Fresh lemon balm leaves are used externally as compresses for boils, teenage acne, and as a rinse for gum inflammation. Like any other medicinal plant, lemon balm has a number of contraindications, which include:

children under 3 years of age;
epilepsy;
hypotension;
individual intolerance to lemon balm;
serious liver diseases (cirrhosis, hepatitis, liver failure).

Is it possible to eat mint

The spice is actively used in cooking, both fresh and dried. It is added to baked goods, confectionery products, drinks, and marinades. In eastern countries, this herb is simply irreplaceable on any table. The reason lies in the peculiarities of Asian cuisine - it is very hot and spicy. The freshness of the leaves helps improve digestion and soften the taste of dishes. You should know that mint drinks do not satisfy hunger, but, on the contrary, only stimulate appetite, and are therefore contraindicated for those who want to lose excess weight.

Application of mint

In the pharmaceutical industry, herbal preparations (medicines obtained from plant materials by extraction) are prepared from this plant in the form of medicinal preparations, teas, aromatic waters, decoctions, tinctures, and tablets. In the absence of contraindications, these medications are actively used in the treatment of:

diseases of a viral and infectious nature - sore throat, pharyngitis, rhinitis, bronchitis, tuberculosis;
cardiovascular system - angina pectoris, coronary vasospasm, high blood pressure, heart rhythm disturbances.
gastrointestinal tract - flatulence, gastritis, colic, heartburn, nausea and vomiting, cholecystitis, irritable bowel syndrome, helminthic infestation, stomach cramps, gallstones;
nervous system – insomnia, stress, migraines, depression;
mucous membranes and skin - itching, rash, inflammation, dermatitis, burns, acne, excessive sweating;
pain syndrome - dental or headaches, muscle spasms, bruises, sprains, neuralgia.

Fresh mint

In the old days, an infusion of fresh leaves was mixed with marjoram and drunk to improve memory. The tops of the shoots were considered the best pain reliever for rheumatism, joint pain, and bruises. You can prepare many useful things from fresh leaves:

If you feel nasal congestion, take inhalation. To do this, pour boiling water over a handful of fresh leaves, cover with a towel and breathe over the steam for several minutes. The beneficial effect of such treatment will be similar to nasal drops, but the method itself is cheaper and more natural.
If the spice leaves have begun to wilt and are no longer suitable for consumption, make ice. Once frozen, mint cubes can be placed in water or added to tea or lemonade, adding freshness to the drink. You can wipe your face with ice in the morning. Such procedures rejuvenate, brighten the skin, and help fight wrinkles.
Make homemade toothpaste. To do this, squeeze the juice out of the leaves, grind them in a blender, mix with baking soda and hydrogen peroxide. It is worth knowing that mint toothpaste with peroxide is contraindicated for people with sensitive tooth enamel.

Peppermint oil

The list of beneficial properties of peppermint essential oil does not end with its calming and anti-inflammatory effects. In the medical field, this extract is used to relieve asthenic disorders, for dizziness, toothache, heartburn attacks, heart spasms, for physical overload and as a remedy for motion sickness in transport.

Another useful property of the oil is antibacterial. If there are no contraindications, this dosage form is used to cleanse mucous membranes; the aroma oil copes well with rosacea and normalizes blood circulation. The ether will help remove vascular networks from the surface of the skin, acne, and acne. There are many ways to use oil:

It can be added to the aroma lamp. A pleasant smell will help you relax, relieve headaches, and calm your nerves.
For preparing a relaxing mint bath. For this purpose, the emulsifier is diluted in the amount of 7 drops per 100 liters of water.
It is added to cosmetic products, mixed in equal parts with any other solvent oil. Shampoos and hair masks help eliminate dandruff and nourish the scalp. Mint lotion or cream is suitable for sagging skin. With regular use, it becomes elastic and taut, small wrinkles disappear. The same compositions are used for compresses, rubbing, and massage.
The oil helps eliminate gum inflammation. In this case, the application method is used: a cotton swab is dipped in a mixture of mint and vegetable oil, taken in equal parts.
In cooking, the emulsifier is used to flavor wine, mulled wine, tea, lemonade, and desserts.

Extract

Sold on pharmacy shelves in the form of alcohol tinctures. Peppermint extract is often included in heart drops and tablets (for example, Validol contains an active ingredient such as menthol extract). Inhalations are made from tinctures for coughs and brochospasms; doctors recommend this type of medicine during the treatment of complicated respiratory viral diseases. External use of the tincture will help get rid of severe headaches. To do this, rub a few drops of mint extract into the temple area.

The beneficial properties of mint extract, expressed in its disinfecting and drying effect on the skin, are actively used in cosmetology. Shampoos with mint refresh and help get rid of dandruff. The tincture is often added to a gel to help relieve swelling of soft tissues and relieve fatigue. Lotions on this basis normalize the functioning of the sebaceous glands and eliminate the shine of oily skin.

Dried mint

Dried mint leaves, inflorescences and stems are used mainly in the form of alcohol or water infusions, for the preparation of decoctions or tea. You can prepare them yourself in the summer by collecting parts of the plant before flowering and drying them in the shade, or you can buy a ready-made collection at the pharmacy. Dried flowers are used with tea for gastrointestinal diseases. Such a drink will have anti-inflammatory, disinfectant, antispasmodic properties.

If there are problems with the biliary tract, stomach acidity or pulmonary bleeding, decoctions are prepared from dried raw materials. They are used externally to treat wounds and scratches, as a mouthwash for gum inflammation or toothache. A mint drink will relieve moderate and mild headaches, freshen breath, and is useful when there is a need to stop the urge to vomit.

Folk recipes

Unofficial medicine uses not only peppermint, but also its other types - field, water, curly. Dried and fresh leaves and essential oils are used to prepare medicines. The beneficial properties of this herb are fully reflected in alcoholic medicines, decoctions, and water tinctures. This plant is part of numerous collections, including antitumor ones. Externally, pepper is used in the form of soothing or relaxing baths, poultices for neuralgia, radiculitis, for washing or treating wounds.

When treating diseases of the nervous system, water infusions are prepared. They are also used for cosmetic purposes to improve complexion, treat problem skin, eliminate facial wrinkles and increase the elasticity of the epidermis. Method for preparing water infusion:

1 tbsp. l. dry mint leaves are ground, pour 200 ml of boiling water.
The broth is infused in a thermos or by wrapping the container with liquid in a terry towel.
After about an hour, the drink is filtered through several layers of gauze.
For diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, digestive disorders, and neuroses, take the medicine one sip 3-4 times a day for 10 days.
For external use, soak a cotton swab in the decoction. Cosmetic procedures are carried out before bedtime. If there are no contraindications, you can use mint cosmetics regularly.

Alcohol tincture is used to relieve pain from rheumatism, bruises, and for rubbing against skin diseases or migraines. The medicine is taken internally during heavy menstruation, during menopause, and for preventive purposes during a respiratory viral epidemic. To obtain an alcohol tincture you need:

Mix 1 part of dry raw materials with 5 parts of 40-proof vodka.
Seal the container tightly and wrap it in foil.
Place in a dark place to infuse for 2 weeks.
The finished tincture must be strained.
You need to take the medicine by diluting 15 drops with water two to three times a day.
The course of treatment is selected individually, but should not exceed 30 days.
Alcohol tinctures are strictly contraindicated for liver problems, ulcers, and arterial hypertension.

Mint decoction

The water infusion is used in preparing baths to treat dermatitis, and is drunk to treat heart rhythm disturbances, nausea, and to eliminate bad breath. Mint infusion is also used for cosmetic purposes as a hair rinse. The product helps get rid of greasy hair, strengthens the roots, and prevents the appearance of split ends. Take note of the following recipes:

For nausea and palpitations, pour 1 tbsp. l. dried mint leaves 500 ml warm water. Boil the mixture over low heat for 15 minutes. Cover with a lid, let cool and set for 5-10 minutes. Take 100 ml twice in the morning and before bed. The drink can be sweetened with a teaspoon of honey. The course of therapy is 7-14 days.
To prepare a choleretic remedy, brew ½ tbsp. l. mint leaves with a glass of boiling water. Heat the mixture in a steam bath for 3-5 minutes, stirring frequently. Let cool, squeeze out the cake. Take the finished decoction 2-3 times in the morning and evening, 100 ml 15 minutes before meals for 10 days, and then take a break.
For gastritis, brew 1 tbsp. l. dried mint leaves 250 ml boiling water. Heat over steam for 15 minutes, strain. Take the medicine up to four times a day, ¼ cup, for a course of 10 days.
For depression 1 tbsp. l. Brew 200 ml of boiling water with mint leaves. Cover with a lid and let steep for 7-10 minutes. Take half a glass twice for 2 weeks - in the morning and before bed.

Contraindications

When used in accordance with dosages, the plant is well tolerated by the body. You should strictly adhere to the recommendations specified in the instructions for use or recipe. Deviations from the norm can lead to allergic reactions and other side effects, which are expressed in:

severe headache;
nausea;
bronchospasm;
rashes on the body;
itching;
insomnia.

In addition, the plant has its own contraindications. The harm is especially noticeable with the uncontrolled use of folk remedies. It is worth limiting the use of mint tinctures, teas and other drinks for men, pregnant women and women during lactation. The following diseases and conditions of the body are categorical contraindications for mint:

children under 6 years of age;