Mint has been cultivated for centuries, used by ancient peoples for its health benefits and association with cleanliness. It now grows all across North America with a tendency to spread by itself through gardens and wild areas. In this article we'll cover the health benefits of mint and our favorite recipes from teas to cold drinks, dips, salads and more!

Health Benefits

A delicious medicinal herb, mint is super high in antioxidants and vitamins, and it is both anti-bacterial and anti-septic. It makes the perfect natural remedy for a variety of ailments:

  1. Treat tummy troubles - Mint helps stimulate digestive enzymes which can help relieve stomach cramps, infections, nausea, and bloating. It also contains methanol which has a calming effect on stomach muscles, providing relief from common digestive disorders including Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS).
  2. Aids respiration - Menthol can also provide soothing relief for those suffering from asthma, and can help clear stuffy noses and chest congestion.
  3. Boost oral hygiene - There's a reason most toothpastes are minty! Mint has gemicidal properties and helps fight bacterial overgrowth. You don't need to chew mint-flavoured gum, simply chew a few mint leaves to freshen your breath!
  4. Support weight loss - Because it promotes digestion, mint can also help boost your metabolism which leads to easier weight loss. It also makes a delicious calorie-free tea or cold beverage.
  5. Promote mental well-being - Eating and smelling mint has been shown to boost alertness and cognitive functions, while also relaxing the mind for relief from anxiety and depression.
🌿 Did you know? There are many different types of mint, including spearmint, peppermint, lemon balm, chocolate mint and more! What mint can you find growing near you?

🫖 Mint Tea Recipe 🫖

  1. Collect a handful of mint leaves - any variety works! - and give them a good wash.
  2. Place the cleaned leaves in a french press, saucepan, or mug - cover with boiling water and steep for 5 minutes.
  3. Strain and discard the mint.
  4. Optional: add a sweetener such as honey or a squeeze of lemon juice to taste.
  5. Serve hot or over ice for a cold refreshing drink!

Get creative by adding spices or herbs such as cinnamon or ginger for different flavor combinations 🌿

Lemon Balm Tea Recipe by Lashina Thomas
It’s a nice and relaxing Tea
Homemade Herbal Tea Recipe by Simple_Woman23
Pandemic is everywhere, and winter is starting. To stay healthy and increase your immune body is to consume healthy food and drinks. As the covid cases rise, preventing, keeping hygiene, and having a clean life is the best solution. Please don’t panic or paranoid because it will affect our psycholog…

Our Top 12 Mint Recipes

An incredibly versatile herb, try using mint in a variety of dishes for a refreshing twist!

Refreshing Drinks 🍹

Mint can make a beautiful garnish as well as a delicious main ingredient in iced drinks, smoothies and cocktails.

Mint Lemonade Recipe by Shikha Yashu Jethi
Mint lemonade is the best summer cooler to beat the heat and will give an instant cooling effect to your body internally. My mom sometimes used to make this when we came home from school when sun is at peak. and now I make this for my kids and hubby. A very simple and quick recipe is here.
Mint smoothie 💚 Recipe by anachaloska
Morning refreshment to start the day with
Mojito by the pitcher Recipe by bernadette.rogers.33
I love mojitos
Explore more mint drinks

Delicious Dips 🥣

Move over cilantro - mint is the star of these creative dips! Perfect for summer snacking or adding a flavor bomb to your meal.

Avocado Tzatziki Dip Recipe by Fiona Ó Ruairc
Great recipe for Avocado Tzatziki Dip.
Homemade Guacamole Recipe by sarah.karam
Great recipe for Homemade Guacamole.
Eggplant Spread Recipe by Ricardo
David Tanis, from The New York Times, shared the recipe of this smoky spread or schmear that I found exquisite. Kind of a baba ghanouj. It reminds me of my mom’s eggplant purée. #eggplant #spread #dip #schmear #appetizer #Lebanese #Middle #Eastern #mint #parsley #tahini #cumin #lemon #summer #party …
Explore more mint dips

Summer Salads 🥗

Mint complements so many different flavors - including other herbs - it's the perfect addition for cooling summer salads.

Asian Slaw with Spicy Thai Vinaigrette Recipe by ChrisO505
Great salad. Great flavours. Very healthy. Worth the effort. Merged lots of different recipes to make this one. Found the vinaigrette recipe on food.com.
Watermelon Greek Salad Recipe by Alena
Easy and refreshing take on a Greek salad.
Israeli Couscous Salad Recipe by kairynel
To make a heartier salad, add one can of drained chickpeas. I prefer mint and arugula, but these can be substituted for parsley, or basil as desired.
Explore more mint salads

Minty Mains 🍲

Use mint like any other herb to make beautiful sauces for your pasta, fish, or meat. The flavor combinations are endless!

Rackets & Balls Pesto Pasta Salad Recipe by Pasta Patrick
Spring has sprung and vaccines have been taken (THANK YOU SCIENCE) - which all means it’s time for picnics and seeing and cooking for the people I love in person again! This pasta salad is perfect for a picnic or BBQ, get out your rackets and balls and let’s play!
Mint&Orange Salmon Rice Bowl Recipe by The Pineapple Cooks
Finish your day with this healthy and extremely delicious dinner bowl.
Macon Chicken w/ Peach Mint Purée Recipe by The Cast Iron Soulé
This is my rendition of a southern style chicken while incorporating the Georgia peaches. To give it a slight kick, I added mint to give it some love. I hope you enjoy this meal!

What will you cook with mint? 🌿 Share your recipes with us on Cookpad!


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