Peppermint is perfect for cooling excess heat.
This very common, humble herb has a long history of medicinal use in many cultures. In practice, it can be used as tea to calm digestion, to reduce a fever, and soothe a sore throat. In this Summer’s heat, I have been enjoying a simple glass of cool water with a few leaves of fresh peppermint added to it.
Peppermint is one of the easiest plants to grow – just be careful where you put it because it spreads! You can enjoy fresh peppermint water by adding a few sprigs of the fresh leaves to a jug of water. The leaves will continue to seep their wonderful refreshing taste into the water all day long.
Tea anyone?
Peppermint tea can made by adding a teaspoon of fresh or dried leaves to a cup of hot water. Put a lid over the tea cup while it is steeping in order to keep the aromatic, medicinal aspects in the tea.
Harvesting peppermint
If you have peppermint plant, you can cut back the larger branches (with the leaves) and dry them for the winter. Drying is simple, just place the plant material in a dry place, out of the sun and wait a few days. When the leaves are all dry and brittle, you are done. Store the dried leaves in a jar for future use.
