Peppermint

Peppermint is perfect for cooling excess heat.

This very common, humble herb has a long history of medicinal use in many cultures. In practice, it can be used as tea to calm digestion, to reduce a fever, and soothe a sore throat. In this Summer’s heat, I have been enjoying a simple glass of cool water with a few leaves of fresh peppermint added to it.
Peppermint is one of the easiest plants to grow – just be careful where you put it because it spreads! You can enjoy fresh peppermint water by adding a few sprigs of the fresh leaves to a jug of water. The leaves will continue to seep their wonderful refreshing taste into the water all day long.

Tea anyone?

Peppermint tea can made by adding a teaspoon of fresh or dried leaves to a cup of hot water. Put a lid over the tea cup while it is steeping in order to keep the aromatic, medicinal aspects in the tea.

Harvesting peppermint

If you have a peppermint plant, you can cut back the larger branches (with the leaves) and dry them for the winter. Drying is simple, just place the plant material in a dry place, out of the sun and wait a few days. When the leaves are all dry and brittle, you are done. Store the dried leaves in a jar for future use.