Written By: Psychic AlyciaRose
Of all the well known culinary herbs, Mint is one of the most versatile. Whether its aromatic foliage is used in cooking, as a deodorizer, teas and drinks, a garden insect repellant, medicinally, or in spellwork, mint lends its own unique magic.
There are over 40 species of Mint which hybridize easily, producing infinite variations. Peppermint is in actuality a natural occurring hybrid of spearmint and water mint. As an herb, Mint originates in the Mediterranean and Western Asia, and was cultivated in ancient times by the Greeks, the Romans, and the Egyptians – most notably used in Egyptian and Roman funeral rites. Mints commonly used are: the Chocolate Mint is used in desserts, Spearmint for drinks, Peppermint for drinks & desserts Pineapple Mint for salads, and regular garden mint is used for general cooking.
The name Mint comes from Greek mythology, there are many versions of the story but the most popular legend tells us Minthe was originally a nymph, and was seduced by Hades. His wife Persephone, in a fit of jealous rage turned her into a plant to be walked on. Hades was unable to reverse the magic, and to insure people would remember Minthe’s memory and sweetness, he made the plant aromatic. Persephone was not happy with this outcome, as Minthe’s scent would carry and linger in the air.
All mints contain the volatile oil menthol, which gives mint its cool clean feeling as a natural stimulant. It has a very long history as a medicinal herb; with the main reason for this fragrant herb being grown was for its various health benefits. Dioscorides ( 40 – 90 C.E.), the Greek physician, noted Mint had medicinal properties, when its extracted oil was used in disorders of the digestive system. In the Icelandic Pharmacopoeias it was mentioned (1240 C.E.), and was later accepted for use in western Europe in the mid-1700s. In the book Back to Eden (1939 C.E.), Jethro Kloss says Peppermint is “an excellent remedy for chills, colic, fevers, dysentery, cholera, heart trouble, palpitation of the heart, influenza, la grippe and hysteria.” In modern herbalism, it is also used to treat gallstones, irritable bowel syndrome, and even the common cold.
Indoors, Mint is said to be a good herb for keeping ants away, as well as mice and fleas. And outdoors Mint acts to repel white cabbage moths, and other pests, being good to plant in gardens with crops of cabbage, tomatoes, broccoli, and brussel sprouts. Mints are prolific plants often spreading beyond their intended borders, and to contain its growth requires continuously cutting it back. Unchecked, it will overgrow your garden. Many prefer to grow it in containers and pots for this reason.
You can make a fresh herbal mint sun tea simply by collecting two cups of leaves and placing them in a clear gallon container and filling with water. Steep this in the sun until blended, drain the leaves and sweeten to taste. You can also use the mint tea as a skin tonic, a refreshing addition to your bath, or as a foot soak. Also, to reduce tannin and caffeine in your favorite black tea, use fresh mint sprigs in your teapot.
Mint is also healing herb magically and can be used as an ingredient in healing and purification incenses, charms, and baths. Sprinkle around the house for peace after an argument or to calm the energy down, Catnip, also a mint, may be drank as a tea it for its healing and calming properties before meditation or magickal work. Place mint leaves in a dream pillow for prophetic dreams. Mint attracts money, be sure to carry a few leaves in your wallet to attract money, and its oil for candle burning to attract prosperity. Pliny also stated that peppermint “excites the emotion of love”; add it to magickal workings to bring passion your way. Another magickal use of mint is to break hexes, ward off evil and bad luck, and to repel enemies. As an herb of protection, it can be carried during travel to keep you and your loved ones safe. It can be used as a charm, placed in shoes, and the tea can be used in a floorwash.
Editor’s Note: Be sure to catch Alycia’s LIVE Stream show on Oranum every Wednesday from 3-6pm PDT.
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