Fresh mint has become one of my favorite herbs. Mint has been my personal life saver when it comes to remedying digestive issues including indigestion and upset tummies. It also has a way of freshening up any drink, smoothie, and many food recipes. From a farming perspective, mint is extremely easy to grow and it happens to be a perennial herb that comes back on its own every year – what is better than that!
The Mint Plant
Mint, which symbolizes virtue, is a perennial with very fragrant leaves, square stems and tiny purple, pink, or white flowers. Mint has a fruity, aromatic taste. 
Mint plants thrive in light soil with good drainage. Most mint plants will tolerate some shade while some require protection from direct sun. Mint can be planted near cabbage and tomatoes. At HeartBeet Farms, we tend to plant it in one of our wheelchair garden beds where it is in a controlled environment and can regrow naturally every year.
Frequent harvesting is the key to keeping mint plants at their best. Younger leaves contain more flavor than older leaves, and mint can be harvested as soon as it comes up in the spring. And the best part is that mint leaves can be frozen or dried for later use – an opportunity to keep the farm in your kitchen all year long!
Types of Mint
I never realized there were so many varieties of mint until I began to research the seeds. Here are some of the mint varieties – just think about the smoothies and teas you can create from these fresh mints leaves….
- Apple
- Corsican
- Pennyroyal
- Peppermint
- Citrus
- Spearmint
- Pineapple
- Pennyroyal Ginger
- Horsemint Red Raripila
- Catamint Chocolate
- Orange
- Lavender
- Grapefruit
- Calamint Licorice
- Basil
What is Mint a Remedy for
Mint is used as a remedy for many ailments. Personally, I use a drop of mint essential oil in my water when my stomach is not feeling well. It always immediately settles my stomach.
- Mint can be used to relieve headaches by applying a compress of mint leaves to your forehead.
- Mint can also help to relieve stress and anxiety.
- Mint is believed to help with allergies. Mint plants contain an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent called rosmarinic acid.
- Mint contains menthol, a natural aromatic decongestant that helps to break up phlegm and mucus, making it easier to expel. Menthol also has a cooling effect and can help relieve a sore throat especially when combined with tea.
- Mint is a calming and soothing herb that helps with an upset stomach and indigestion. Peppermint, especially peppermint tea, is also thought to relieve pain and discomfort from gas and bloating.
Drying Fresh Mint Leaves
During the farming season, I mainly use fresh mint in my smoothies and in my water. If you want to save your mint for teas during the winter months, you can place the fresh mint in a brown paper bag and allow it to dry out. This takes a few weeks to really dry out. A faster method involves heating your mint leaves in the oven and they will be ready for use in a few hours…
- Preheat oven to 170 degrees.
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Put fresh mint in one layer on a cookie sheet.
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Bake mint for 2-3 hours. If it is not completely dry, keep checking every 15 minutes to see if it is dry.
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Remove from oven and crumble the mint leaves into a container.
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Store in a jar, preferably in a dry dark location in your pantry.
I hope we inspired you to experiment with fresh mint. If you are not motivated to grow or prepare your own teas, Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods Market, to name a few, offer many varieties of mint teas. If you find one that is appealing, then maybe try to grow that mint plant and make your own tea variety! Enjoy!
