Why we all Love Mint
Why we all Love Mint
I’ve always loved mint but I’m stepping up and buying new varieties for my ever-inquisitive palette (there are at least 25 different mint species). As I age, I’m only too aware that my digestive powers are fundamentally declining or waning. Mints help digestion by relaxing the smooth muscle of the gut and thus reducing any chance of spasms and indigestion; lower down in the bowel it will equally soothe and comfort. Added to this, if the digestive muscles are relaxed then more digestive enzyme activity and production will take place. Crucially, mint also increases bile production and flow, easing liver and gallbladder sluggishness.
Minty Facts
Mints contain aromatic monoterpenes (present in its essential oil).
The menthol in peppermint (not present in spearmint) will open up the lungs and help to breathe, colds, excess mucous and phlegm.
These very same menthol monoterpenes also trigger opioid receptors, which function as a topical analgesic, which is also why it can be so comforting to the gut and bowel. Mint is an immune herb in that it is anti-microbial and anti-fungal, useful for antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
Mint Tea
Mint is peppery, fresh and yes a little sweet, so don’t overstep the tea. Its lovely minty flavour is quickly released from the plant’s surface (glandular sacs of oil) and too much steeping and bruising will go on to release the plant’s juice, which may be bitter.
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