Reading the March issue of Health magazine, I came across an article called “Fresh Ways to Use Mint” which offered four creative ways to use mint.
You can find fresh mint in the produce section of your local grocery store or at a farmer’s market (you might even be able to buy a small one to plant at home and use whenever you need it!). The four uses are as follows:
1) Get rid of dandruff- simply put a sprig each of mint and rosemary into 8 ounces of cider vinegar and let it set for one week. Then use after shampooing- the vinegar is said to dry up dandruff and the herbs help boost circulation in the scalp which helps to prevent flaking.
2) Refreshing foot scrub- combine 6 drops of peppermint essential oil (you can buy this at a health store or online) with 1 cup sea salt and 1/3 cup olive oil to make the scrub. Use it to scrub your feet and then rinse them clean. The salt works to exfoliate the skin while the peppermint refreshes and soothes muscle soreness.
3) Calm a stomach ache- make mint tea by adding a tablespoon of mint leaves to a hot cup of water. This will help relieve cramps and relax your digestive muscles.
4) Fight cravings & help lose weight- according to the article, people who sniffed peppermint oil once every two hours consumed 23% less calories than those who did not. This one would be pretty easy to try out since peppermint essential oil is packaged small enough to have handy throughout the day.
Let me know if any of these minty-fresh ideas work for you- and happy spring!
