There’s nothing better than the fresh taste of mint! Whether it’s in a fruit salad, with fresh fruit punch or in a summery Asian salad, a vibrant hit of flavour accompanies every mouthful. But did you know that mint has some great health benefits too?
Mint has one of the highest antioxidant capacities of any food. Learning how to use fresh herbs and spices such as mint to add flavor when cooking can also help to cut down on sodium intake.
Mint, also known as mentha, is actually a genus or group of around 15-20 plant species, including peppermint and spearmint. Mint oil is often used in toothpaste, sweets and beauty products while the leaves are used either fresh or dried for teas and food.
Allergies: Mint plants contain an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent called rosmarinic acid, which has been studied for its effectiveness in relieving seasonal allergy symptoms, revealing a promising natural treatment.
Skin: When applied topically in oil, ointment or lotion, mint has the effect of calming and cooling skin affected by insect bites, rash or other reactions.
Oral health: Mint is a natural anti-microbial agent and breath freshener
Pohlmans Garden Mint is available in the Hidden Valley Unsleeved variety and is available from nurseries, hardware stores and supermarkets.