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Persephone, A Woman Scorned

Aug 21, 2000 - © T. Darlene Cheek

  • Insomnia - an infusion of spearmint, peppermint, or orange mint to induce sleep.

  • Headache - apply fresh grated leaves to the forehead.

  • Toothache - place diluted peppermint or spearmint oil on the tooth.

  • Chapped Hands - wash hands with a spearmint infusion and let air dry.

  • Bad Breath - pretty self-explanatory... just chew the leaves.

  • Bee Stings & Insect Bites - rub crushed leaves on the bite after removing the stinger (if you start to swell, go to the emergency room)

  • Footbath - double recipe of strong infusion to soak your feet in.

  • Sore Throat - gargle several times a day with a strong infusion (don't take mint for laryngitis as mint will dry out your vocal chords - the best remedy for laryngitis is lemon water).

    Mint also has cosmetic uses:

  • Cleanses the oils from the skin mixed as an astringent

  • Steam your face over 1 cup of peppermint leaves in boiling water by placing your face over the pot and a towel over your head

  • Take a facial wash with vinegar, water and mint (let the infusion sit 3 days, keep refrigerated, apply with a cotton ball)

  • Make a facial mask by beating together 1 egg white, 2 tablespoons dry skim milk, 3 drops mint extract (cooking variety) and 6 drops spirit of camphor (apply to face, let dry, wash off with warm and then cold water).

    The Famous Mint Julep:

    1 large handful spearmint leaves
    2 tablespoons and 2 teaspoons sugar syrup (below)
    6 ounces of bourbon

    Syrup

    1/2 cup water
    1/2 cup sugar
    1 handful of mint leaves

    Bring water and sugar to a boil and boil until the sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat, bruise mint leaves by squishing with a heavy glass to release the oil. Then add to water/sugar mixture, cover and refrigerate for 12-24 hours and strain.

    Combine 2 tablespoons and 2 teaspoons of sugar syrup in a pitcher with the bourbon, stir well and pour into a tall glass filled with cracked ice. Garnish with mint sprigs.

    Mint can be dried by hanging in small bunches in a dry, sunny area or by dehydrating on a screen in the oven. The microwave method isn't recommended, as it dispels the essential oils. Mint can be frozen, but it will be limp and slimy when defrosted.

    Never use mint oil in its pure form; always dilute it with water. Pure mint oil can prove to be toxic if used incorrectly, and never give even diluted mint

    The copyright of the article Persephone, A Woman Scorned in Holistic Therapy is owned by T. Darlene Cheek. Permission to republish Persephone, A Woman Scorned in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

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