Mint/pudina: description, growing tips and its health benefits

                                 

                                      
                                    Mint/Pudina

Mint is a green coloured perennial herb.Basically we eat the leaf. It has a sweet flavour, with a cooling after-sensation. Both, fresh and driedmint are used in preparing a large number of recipes, including curries, soups, chutneys, salads, juices, and ice creams. The leaves are green in colour, slimy and dark. The flowers are purple in colour.It grows almost all over the world. This can mostly grow in cold climate.

Botanical name: Mintha

Family : Lamiaceae

Plant height :8-10"

Colour: Green

Temperature: 20⁰-40⁰ c

Rainfall: 100-110 cm

 pH balance: 6.5- 8.0

Light: Adequate sunlight(morning sun or afternoon sun)

Soil: Loamy soil

Growing Tips

• Mints are vigorous perennials that thrive in light soil with good drainage.
• Ideally, they prefer a moist but well-drained site, something like their native habitat along stream banks.
• Most will tolerate some shade, and the variegated types may require some protection from direct sun.
• For growing outdoors, plant one or two purchased plants (or one or two cuttings from a friend) about 2 feet apart in moist soil. One or two plants will easily cover the ground. Mint should grow to be 1 or 2 feet tall.
• For the best growth in confined areas such as containers, topdress plants with a thin layer of compost or organic fertilizer every few months. Aboveground pots will need winter protection in cold climates.

Health benefits:

• It increases the digestive system, relives indigestion problems, motion sickness, and other stomach disorders.
• It is also used in treating intestinal and stomach ulcers.
• Helps reduce intestinal inflammation
• It has properties which can clear all sorts of stagnation in the body which might be the cause for sickness.
• Pudina is used in treating respiratory problems like asthma, cold, bronchitis, nasal congestion, sinus and congestion in the lungs.
• It also relieves sore throat, headache, chest congestion and runny nose.
• Pudina is used to reduce fever and neuralgia.
• Pudina Oil is an excellent medicine for menstrual pain and blocked menstruation.
• It nurtures the skin, reduces pain and inflammation.
• Its fresh aroma can rejuvenate the body and mind when used as a beverage.