Mint – “Clearing the Red”

I love mint’s modesty.  It grows easily, is safe to use, and is tasty to the palette.  But, don’t be fooled. Mint’s childproof qualities conceal her medicinal properties that rival the (in)famous bitters.   Mint is also a clever plant. It knows how to spread and thrive. If it weren’t so cute, it might be considered a weed.  (My plant friends know I said the “w” word with air quotes.)  But there mint is -- simple, confident, almost peppy.  And that is the least of what this plant can impart to you.

We all know mint is can help an overeater digest her meal.  It calms the tummy, aids with bloating and flatulence, and soothes hiccups.  In Chinese Medicine, however, my mantra for mint is: “Mint Clears all the Reds (especially from my Head).” 

Clear the Red in Eyes.

Mint brightens the eyes in such a unique way.  Mint gives you clarity of vision with a soft gaze.  No easy task!  Mister Miyagi and Master Po would not give such a task to just any student.  Try it:  clear vision and soft gaze at the same time while you are reading this. Succeed at clarity of vision? Likely your eyes are strained.  Have a soft gaze?  Likely you’re about to nap instead of read this. 

Mint gifts us both of these at the same time. It relieves redness from tired, strained eyes after a long day. Mint also – even just the scent – brings your vision (literally and metaphorically) into sharp focus.  It lets you see clearly.

Clear the Red from Frustration. 

Mint cools irritability and washes away frustrations, soothing tension and constriction of your face and thoughts.  Unlike most relaxing herbs, mint gives you a boost too – almost what the Tai Chi masters refer to as “relaxed readiness”.  You’re relaxed and ready for whatever is before you.

Clear the Red from Inflammation & Irritation. 

Mint relaxes achy, sore muscles and reduces inflammation.  It also clears heat or infection from the head, for example, for sinus infection or sore throat.  For my springtime friends with allergies, add mint to the arsenal when the post-nasal drip irritates the throat. (And drink it with honey.)

Mint is a perfect tea for those of you in high-stress, high thinking environments. For my lawyers, investors, legislators, and thinkers, mint is a perfect afternoon or after work sip. It lifts your spirit from drudgery, sharpens your focus, and invigorates your mind. It’s perfect after a business lunch that is now causing you to lose focus or has left you with heartburn.  It can help lower your blood pressure and reduce your sense of stress.

Mint is also ideal for any of us anytime there is change that interferes with a sense of relaxed readiness.   Sip it, smell it, or eat it.  A perfect treat in spring and summer, mint exhilarates the mind while calming the nerves --  a nice balance to spring’s chest of change.

Why is lavender the topic of the inaugural topical blog?  Because it’s common, affordable, and it’s truly a gift that can deliver a sense of wellness.  (And I just tripped over it.)

Every book I’ve ever read on harvest tells me now is the time for lavender.  It’s beautiful as I brush past it going up the stairs, but I see the bees and the butterflies enjoying it in bloom and I decide, not today.  (My bush is so full, it is taking over the stairs.  In fact, you have to sort of use an odd hip flexor muscle to stretch your leg over it.  But trimming it now would be like walking out of your daughter’s play while she is saying her only line – this is its time and it’s a delight to watch it.) 

We all know lavender is the scent of relaxation.  But what I love about lavender is its deeper meaning. It soothes the nerves and heals the wounds.

It’s like this: you have doctors and surgeons to clean and dress the wounds, but go to them with a tear in your eye or trembling voice expressing the inner pain of the injury and they sort of look confused. You have moms, friends, or mentors who hold your hand and help you heal all that can’t be dressed with salve, but ask them to be your surgeon, and – even if doctoring is their profession – it’s risky business.  Having a combination of the two is a rare find.  And that is where lavender comes in.

The name lavender comes from the Latin root lavare, which means "to wash." It was frequently used in baths to help purify the body and spirit. Antiseptic and antibiotic, it is a great skin salve for spring and summers outdoor play wounds, chapped skin, or sunburns. Ketones and esters in lavender help reduce swelling, fight inflammation, and prevent muscle soreness. It also helps reduces pain – for arthritis, carpal tunnel, post-operative pain, psoriasis, burns, rashes, and eczema. 

But with any trauma, there is tension.  Lavender does its part to soothe not only the skin, but also the soul.  It has been used for centuries to help you sleep through the night, calm your nerves, regulate your mood, and reduce anxiety.

If you’re lucky enough to have the plant, the flowers can be used as a tea, dried for sachets, in your bath, or hung in your closets.  You can cover the flowers with a sesame or olive oil, let the sun shine through it for a day or two, and then strain as an herbal salve for minor injuries.

The essential oil can be dabbed on a towel and added to the dryer to sweeten laundry or dropped in your bath.  You can add the essential oil to a sesame or olive oil to make an herbal oil for burns, skin problems, or pained muscles. 

My favorite use is the soap. (I use Dr. Bronner’s.) I put a dab of soap on a wet rag when I’m wiping the counter or mopping the floor to freshen space.  I love the smell of my hands after I wash them.  It elevates my mind and brings a smile.

Spring’s bounty is here.  Hope you make time to enjoy it.