Mint is a hearty plant, growing in difficult climates and spreading quickly. This common plant has been used throughout history for various medical treatments.
The desert climate of El Paso, TX can be harsh on plants, especially mid-summer. Our lavender and dill did not survive the heat, but our mint has thrived. In fact, we have two planters hanging on the porch wall that scorch every plant we’ve put in. Recently I clipped some mint runners and placed them in the basket. They are growing great! I can’t wait till they fill the baskets and we are greeted by chocolate mint whenever we step into the backyard.
Fighting Insomnia with a Drink
Chronic insomnia after multiple deployments is a frustrating reality in our home. We found a solution in our own backyard!
Before adding catnip to your daily routine be sure to read Catnip: Uses, Side Effects, Interactions, and Warnings first. (If you take Lithium or Sedatives be sure to consult with your healthcare provider first) I am not a doctor, just a wife and mother trying to find a solution to our family’s needs.
If you are interested in digging deeper into the uses of herbs and how to incorporate them into your life, I highly recommend the Herbal Academy. If your curious but unsure, start by previewing a Lesson from the Introductory Herbal Course.
An Evening Drink to Drift to Sleep
A combination of chocolate mint and catnip steeped in hot filtered water makes a relaxing drink that clears the mind, alleviates anxiety, and helps us drift to sleep. It’s simple to make.
- equal parts catnip and chocolate mint leaves (I’ve also used peppermint and had great results, but chocolate is our favorite)
- 1 cup of water for every TBSP of fresh leaves
First, I gather the leaves and rinse them.
Next, I bring a large pot of water to nearly boiling. Boiling water will actually injure the medicinal value of the leaves. Bring the water to nearly boiling and remove from heat before tearing and tossing in the leaves.
Put the lid on and let the water and leaves sit. If you want to drink it hot wait at least ten minutes to give the herbs enough time to infuse the water. We actually prefer it cold and will leave it steeping in the pot all day. I make the drink in the morning, let it sit until bedtime, strain it into a pitcher, and then pour some over ice.
This will keep for up to three days in the fridge.
Infused Strawberry Lemon Mint Water
The kids love infused water and they enjoy helping to make it as well. A few mint leaves (chocolate mint is still our favorite for this), some halved strawberries, and lemon slices in a pitcher of water is all it takes. We put the pitcher in the fridge and wait till it’s cold. That’s it! It’s a great way to keep the littles hydrated in this desert heat.
Mint Recipes
This hearty herb has many uses. It can be used to alleviate allergy symptoms, help with headaches, curb appetite, decrease pain, calm upset stomachs, and much more. But mostly, it is a delicious addition to many recipes. Here are a few I’ve collected:
Lemonade from Chick-fil-a has quickly become this summer’s drink of choice for me. After all it’s creating three of my favorite things! Thankfully Six Sisters has created a Chick-Fil-A Copycat of the drink to save my pocketbook. The picture alone makes me thirsty. Now to find a way to cut back on that sugar without ruining the drink. Suggestions?
Add it to Zucchini and Avocados. We always have an overabundance of zucchini in our garden and am looking for new recipes to try. Now if only I could grow an avocado tree.
http://avocadopesto.com/2016/09/12/vegan-zucchini-rolls-with-cashew-ricotta-mint-and-avocado-gf/
Salsa? Why not. When we first moved to El Paso and began gardening we were told that if it goes in salsa it will grow here. Apparently mint belongs in salsa. It deffinietly loves El Paso, so why not.
Lamb and Chimichurri. This sounds perfect for Easter or a Sunday family dinner. Lamb and mint just sound right together.
A Twist on Pesto. Pistachio Mint Pesto sounds delicious on grilled fish. Typically pesto makes me think of fall, slathered on chicken or tossed with noodles. Tory Avey’s twist on this classic sauce sounds and looks delish.
Growing Herbs at Home and Learning Old Traditions
For a very long time, herbs were the go to healers for our world. They offer simple solutions in our own backyards for ailments. By studying and learning their properties we are better able to help those we love with simple healthy solutions.
What are your favorite mint recipes? Share them in the comments below.
