It’s a favorite time of year – vacations, relaxation, suntans and a peaceful easy feeling as the evening breeze blows. Whether you live in a hot and humid climate, dry and blistering heat, or have summer year-round, everyone needs a refreshing lift to cool the body and rejuvenate the spirit. You’ll find lots of great advice on www.ModernSage.com this month for skin care, retreats and general well-being, and I’d like to share with you one of my personal summertime favorites…fresh mint tea. It’s simple and delicious with numerous health benefits to boot.
Get the Mint
You can buy fresh mint at a local health food store, or grow your own! It’s an easy herb to grow and spreads quickly, so be mindful how much you plant. To make the tea, you’ll need a large handful of fresh, long sprigs. Bring them home and wash. Pull the leaves off of the stems and either crush lightly or place directly into very hot water, just shy of boiling. Let the leaves steep for up to 15 minutes. You may drink hot or cold, but I suggest the chilled version for this time of year. Even iced, my boyfriend really likes the mild menthol finish!
Sweeten ‘er up
For a sweet tooth like mine, you may want to add a little stevia – a great sugar substitute that is an all natural herb and also can be grown at home in a simple planter! Stevia is 30x sweeter than sugar, with zero calories. Stevia also helps to regulate blood sugar levels, whether too high or too low! I prefer the powdered stevia as it doesn’t leave an after-taste. For a pitcher of tea, try adding 1 teaspoon of stevia for a fresh, sweet treat the whole family will enjoy!
Health Benefits of Mint Tea
Mint truly does refresh your body – from the inside out! Many people take mint supplements to cleanse the system and reduce body odor. Others chew mint gum for a pleasant mouth. But did you know that mint is well known for its ability to sooth the digestive tract and reduce the severity and length of stomachaches? Mint tea has also shown the ability to ease the discomfort associated with irritable bowel syndrome, and may even slow the growth of many of the most harmful bacteria and fungi. The well-documented antifungal properties of mint are thought to play a role in the treatment of asthma and many allergy conditions as well.
So treat yourself this summer, if even for some a hint of mint!