Wonderful Peppermint!
Spent the day in the garden this morning. The clouds kept the weather on the cooler side so it was quite enjoyable. I love the month of May down here in the deep South. The weather is still pleasant and the garden is all young and fresh. The weeds have not taken over and it is a joy to walk around the plants and smell their heady aromas. My mints all need to be harvested again and dried for future use. This will be the second harvest already. I have already dried 1/2 gallon of various mint varieties for making my mint melange tea, and today I picked a bunch, I mean, a bunch of peppermint and made peppermint hydrosol and peppermint extract. The hydrosol is a very cooling liquid. I use it to make a wonderful soothing and cooling stress relief lotion. It can also be sprayed onto my skin for all the hot flashes I experience.
After making the above, I headed out to the garden once more and finally planted my leggy calendula seedlings. Starting plants from seed is a bit time consuming, and I really don't have the proper place to do it, except in my little make-shift shed and potting bench, but I continue to do it with so-so results. I am hoping to get around 40 plants to take in their cute little pots. This week should be a bit rainy and cloudy so this might help. Hot weather and sun might be a bit much for these young plants.
The following is some information I gathered from the Herb Mentor website on peppermint. Many people ask what I do with all my herbs so I will share a little here and there. There is a lot of interesting info and recipes...enjoy!
As an aromatic carminative…
Peppermint shines as an herb that helps with digestion in a myriad of ways.
Have a tummy ache? Try a cup of peppermint tea. Have a nervous stomach? Try a cup of peppermint tea. Have diarrhea? Try a cup of peppermint tea! Have gas and bloating after a meal? You guessed it! Try some peppermint tea!
As an anodyne…
Peppermint works wonderfully to soothe pain. It is commonly used for headaches. As we’ve discussed it can help a variety of painful digestive complaints.
It can be applied externally to relieve pain as well. A friend of mine with neuropathy in his feet due to diabetes swears that peppermint essential oil is the only thing that relieves his pain.
Peppermint can also relieve the itching and inflammation of sunburns, poison oak/ivy and hives. You can use the tea as a wash or add a strong brew to bath water.
As an antispasmodic…
Peppermint can ease tonic muscles. It can be used for menstrual cramps or a sore back. Have a tension headache? Try a poultice of peppermint over your forehead or at the base of your neck.
The menthol in oil of peppermint is an effective local anesthetic. It increases the sensitivity of the receptors in the skin that perceive the sensation of coolness and reduces the sensitivity of the receptors that perceive pain and itching. Menthol is also a counter-irritant, an agent that causes the small blood vessels under the skin to dilate, increasing the flow of blood to the area and making the skin feel warm. When you apply a skin lotion made with menthol, your skin feels cool for a minutes, then warm. Menthol’s anesthetic properties also make it useful in sprays and lozenges for sore throats.
As a stimulating herb…
Peppermint is often referred to as a stimulating herb. It’s easy to envision coffee or tea when we talk about stimulating nervines since we know the caffeine content gives us that noticeable zing of temporary energy. And while peppermint doesn’t have the caffeine jolt, it does promote alertness. Just recently someone in the HerbMentor.com forums said he was able to wean himself off of coffee by drinking strong peppermint infusions instead.
For colds and flu…
Peppermint has long been used to address fevers that accompany the flu. It opens the pores of the body, allowing the heat to escape and making it a great choice for fevers when the person is restless and feels hot.
A traditional western herbal formula is the combination of elder flowers (Sambucus nigra, S. cerulea), peppermint and yarrow.
Plant Preparations…
Peppermint can be used in a variety of ways.
It can be made into a tea by infusing a tsp or more into 8 ounces of just-boiled water. Be sure to steep the peppermint tea in a covered container to decrease the loss of volatile oils. In five minutes you’ll have a lovely tasting tea.
Peppermint is commonly used as an essential oil. This can be used externally in ointments or taken internally. Please use caution when using any essential oil internally as it can cause serious problems if used incorrectly.
Infusing peppermint into oil leaves you with an oil that is great for sore muscles, pain, and cramping that can be used externally. It can also be used externally as a poultice or as a tea wash.
Analgesic Oil:
1 ½ cup well-dried peppermint
2 cups cold-pressed olive oil
Combine the 2 ingredients in a bottle or glass jar. Store away from light for 1 month and shake every 2-3 days. Strain. Use in the case of pain, headaches, intestinal or muscle cramps, by massaging or by applying a topical compress depending on the area requiring
treatment. Can be kept for 1 year away from light
Peppermint Essential Oil Recipe
If you have access to lots of fresh peppermint, you can make essential oil. The leaves contain up to 4% oil, which can be removed by solvent extraction. Pick 2 cups of fresh peppermint leaves. Gently rinse them to remove any pesticides or spores. Pat them dry with a paper towel and allow to air-dry overnight on a rack (this prevents mold growth). Loosely fill a glass jar with leaves, then fill it with vodka. Close the jar tightly and keep it in a cool, dark place. Shake gently every day for two weeks, then strain into a clean jar. Use cheesecloth to squeeze extra liquid from the leaves. Discard the leaves, and put the jar of liquid in your freezer for three hours. The essential oil will freeze, the alcohol will not. Carefully pour the alcohol into a clean jar for the next batch. Store the oil in glass in a cool, dark place. Do not use it undiluted. Use the oil as medicine, as flavoring, or in soaps, perfumes, massage oils, and bath salts.
Peppermint Extract
Peppermint leaves, chopped, enough to fill a pint, or quart sized jar
Vodka
Quart or Pint sized jar
Fill the jar of choice with the chopped peppermint leaves and then fill with vodka. Transfer this to a blender, cap and blend. Put mixture back into the jar and seal. Let sit for at least two week, the longer it sits the stronger the extract. So you can let it sit for upwards of 6 weeks. Strain herbs and re-bottle. An amber bottle is best. This extract will keep for years and years! Peppermint ice-cream anyone?
Candied Peppermint Leaves
1 egg white
peppermint leaves
white sugar
In a small bowl whisk the egg white with a fork till frothy. In another bowl, place about 1/2 cup of sugar. Dip one leaf at a time into the egg white and then into the sugar. Place the leaves on a parchment lined baking sheet. Bake the leaves in a 200 degree oven and dry gently for 20-30 minutes or until completely dry. This can take quite a bit longer if it is humid outside, so be patient. Remove from oven and let cool. Store in a glass jar or tin with parchment paper or waxed paper between each layer of leaves. Serve as an after dinner mint!
Peppermint Milk
This is a wonderful soothing milk to give to children if they have digestive issues after a meal. You can use real milk, soy milk, coconut milk or almond milk for this recipe.
In a small pot, add 1 cup of milk of choice. Place 1 tablespoon of fresh peppermint or 1 teaspoon of dried peppermint into a tea-ball and put into the milk. Slowly heat milk till simmering. Remove from heat and let steep for 10-15 minutes. Drink while warm
Herbal Liniment
Herbal liniments offer instant relief for pain, inflamed muscles, bruises, and sprains.
Rubbing Alcohol
Peppermint Extract
Peppermint leaves, chopped, enough to fill a pint, or quart sized jar
Vodka
Quart or Pint sized jar
Fill the jar of choice with the chopped peppermint leaves and then fill with vodka. Transfer this to a blender, cap and blend. Put mixture back into the jar and seal. Let sit for at least two week, the longer it sits the stronger the extract. So you can let it sit for upwards of 6 weeks. Strain herbs and re-bottle. An amber bottle is best. This extract will keep for years and years! Peppermint ice-cream anyone?
Candied Peppermint Leaves
1 egg white
peppermint leaves
white sugar
In a small bowl whisk the egg white with a fork till frothy. In another bowl, place about 1/2 cup of sugar. Dip one leaf at a time into the egg white and then into the sugar. Place the leaves on a parchment lined baking sheet. Bake the leaves in a 200 degree oven and dry gently for 20-30 minutes or until completely dry. This can take quite a bit longer if it is humid outside, so be patient. Remove from oven and let cool. Store in a glass jar or tin with parchment paper or waxed paper between each layer of leaves. Serve as an after dinner mint!
Peppermint Milk
This is a wonderful soothing milk to give to children if they have digestive issues after a meal. You can use real milk, soy milk, coconut milk or almond milk for this recipe.
In a small pot, add 1 cup of milk of choice. Place 1 tablespoon of fresh peppermint or 1 teaspoon of dried peppermint into a tea-ball and put into the milk. Slowly heat milk till simmering. Remove from heat and let steep for 10-15 minutes. Drink while warm
Herbal Liniment
Herbal liniments offer instant relief for pain, inflamed muscles, bruises, and sprains.
Rubbing Alcohol
Fresh or dried herbs – combine any of the following: Calendula
flowers, Chamomile flowers, Eucalyptus leaves, Lavender flowers,
Peppermint leaves, Rosemary, Thyme, or Oregano.Chop herbs finely and place in a clean glass jar. Cover thoroughly with
rubbing alcohol and cap with a tight-fitting lid. Place the jar in a
warm area and shake daily or as often as possible. After 4-6 weeks,
strain the herbs out using cheesecloth and pour the remaining liquid
into glass bottles with mister tops. When properly stored in a cool dark
place, the liniment will keep almost indefinitely. Make sure to label
the liniment for “External Use Only”.
Herbal Foot Soak
Soak those tired “dogs” with this rejuvenating and therapeutic blend of salt and herbs fresh from your garden.
1/2 cup Epsom Salt
Herbal Foot Soak
Soak those tired “dogs” with this rejuvenating and therapeutic blend of salt and herbs fresh from your garden.
1/2 cup Epsom Salt
1 tsp Olive Oil
Sprigs of fresh Chamomile flowers,
Eucalyptus leaves, Lavender flowers, Peppermint leaves, Rosemary, Sage,
Thyme, or Oregano. If fresh herbs are unavailable, substitute with dried
herbs or a few drops of essential oil.
Boil water and pour over herbs, then add salt and olive oil. Once the
water has cooled to a comfortable temperature, soak feet for as long as
desired. For an even more luxurious experience, place a few smooth
stones into the bottom and gently roll your feet over the stones to
naturally massage and relax them.
Peppermint Hydrosol
Hydrosols are different in their healing properties than aromatherapy spritzers where essential oils are simply added to water. This is because in addition to small amounts of essential oil, hydrosols also contain water soluble healing compounds. Among these compounds are plant acids which lend themselves beautiful as toners for the skin. Hydrosols are generally considered to be gentler and safer to use than their essential oils counter parts. According to Sagescript hydrosols "contain the beneficial products of essential oils plus more and in a less concentrated, safer form."
You can use the following method* to make homemade hydrosols from any number of fresh plants and flowers. Consider using roses (of course!), lavender, calendula, lemon balm, catnip, rosemary and any other fragrant or soothing plant. I think chamomile would be especially nice.
2. Next fill the bottom of the large pot with plant material. You want the plants to reach up to the smaller bowl. Then fill with water until the plant material is just barely submersed.
3. Finally put the lid to your larger pot upside down on top of the large pot and fill it with ice cubes which have been put in a heavy duty zip-lock bag.
4. Heat this whole set up just enough for the water surrounding the peppermint to steam but not boil. Let it work it's magic for 20-40 minutes or so. I will usually empty the melted ice and fill the bag again with ice. I used a clear lid so I could watch the hydrosol condense.
The water will steam the plant material carrying all the goodness from the plant into the air. The steam collects on the lid of the pan and condenses due to the ice cubes. Because the pot lid is upside down, as the steam turns back into a liquid the liquid is directed to drip down into the smaller bowl. This liquid is your hydrosol! Pretty cool, uh? Please store you new hydrosol in a dark glass bottle in the refrigerator.
Peppermint Hydrosol
Hydrosols are different in their healing properties than aromatherapy spritzers where essential oils are simply added to water. This is because in addition to small amounts of essential oil, hydrosols also contain water soluble healing compounds. Among these compounds are plant acids which lend themselves beautiful as toners for the skin. Hydrosols are generally considered to be gentler and safer to use than their essential oils counter parts. According to Sagescript hydrosols "contain the beneficial products of essential oils plus more and in a less concentrated, safer form."
You can use the following method* to make homemade hydrosols from any number of fresh plants and flowers. Consider using roses (of course!), lavender, calendula, lemon balm, catnip, rosemary and any other fragrant or soothing plant. I think chamomile would be especially nice.
- Large pot with a lid, a pot for canning works great for this.
- Small bowl or container to go inside your pot to collect the hydrosol.
- Something heat-proof to stand the smaller container on inside the large pot, a jar rack works perfectly for this. If you don't have one of these don't despair. Try using heat-proof ramekin instead.
- Water, distilled or filtered
- Ice cubes
- Peppermint (or other plant material)
- Bottle for storing your beautiful new hydrosol
- Mister Top for spraying your hydrosol if you would like
2. Next fill the bottom of the large pot with plant material. You want the plants to reach up to the smaller bowl. Then fill with water until the plant material is just barely submersed.
3. Finally put the lid to your larger pot upside down on top of the large pot and fill it with ice cubes which have been put in a heavy duty zip-lock bag.
4. Heat this whole set up just enough for the water surrounding the peppermint to steam but not boil. Let it work it's magic for 20-40 minutes or so. I will usually empty the melted ice and fill the bag again with ice. I used a clear lid so I could watch the hydrosol condense.
The water will steam the plant material carrying all the goodness from the plant into the air. The steam collects on the lid of the pan and condenses due to the ice cubes. Because the pot lid is upside down, as the steam turns back into a liquid the liquid is directed to drip down into the smaller bowl. This liquid is your hydrosol! Pretty cool, uh? Please store you new hydrosol in a dark glass bottle in the refrigerator.
Peppermint is generally safe for everyone.
In some sensitive individuals it can cause heartburn. Taken in excess it could dry up breast milk.
Comments
Post a Comment