Pick off a few leaves of mint and crush them between your fingers. Their delightful and distinctive aroma permeates the air.
The scientific name of mint is ‘Mentha’, and in Hindi, it is called ‘Pudina’. Due to its astringent properties it is also used as a mouth freshener besides being used in making chutneys, salads, dips, soups and desserts.
“We know that mint is a medicinal herb, used for relieving stomach upsets but it also helps relieve headaches and is a wonderful herb to help alleviate symptoms at the start of a cold,” says Raksha Suvarna. Mint also makes for delicious tea and can be added to numerous dishes such as roast mutton, new potatoes, peas and salads.
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Florence Graves shares, “Mint in the morning, starts your day off right. Opens your eyes, gets you ready for the fight. Mint in the evening, makes your breath smell nice. Cool and refreshing with some ice.”
Mint is loaded with antioxidants that aid in the digestion of food. Antioxidants fight the free radicals that initiate unwanted cell reactions in the digestive tract and disrupt the digestion. Mint also galvanizes the enzymes so as to facilitate the process of digestion. Marita D'sa says, “ I have always grown mint. It has withstood adverse weather conditions and occasional owner negligence. I love breaking a sprig to add to cool lemonade or iced tea. It's a ready garnish for a fruit salad. It just makes things look, feel and taste fresh,”
While Gwen King-Lee says, “I believe that mint is a natural room freshener. I have grown them in many little containers that are placed on windows. It absorbs the masala odours.”
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Karin Chawla says, “It's a versatile herb with medicinal properties. A great ingredient in a chutney, as a garnish to a simple glass of water with lemon, mint soothes the stomach and keeps breath fresh.” Peppermint is beneficial for several respiratory ailments, including cold, cough, throat and sinus infections and congestion in the chest.