Mint is one of those herbs that can flavor any type of dish. It can be used in sauteed vegetables, casseroles, sandwiches, soups, fruit or veggie salads and also cakes and cookies! It is great in vegan tofu scrambles and great added to a bit of zucchini bread. It can also be used to make teas or cool refreshing summer drinks, like Banana Coconut Mint smoothie…if you dare!

Mint grows easily and in ample amounts. In fact some would consider it almost a “nuisance” herb, since it sometimes will spread in (and out) of the garden; when it’s happy it can be very invasive.

It is a cooling herb and can be used fresh, dried or in oil form.

Here are some ideas as to how to add mint to our vegan lifestyle!

• • Breads: Mint can be added to banana breads, zucchini bread, date-nut bread or any other kind of sweet bread. When cooked together with the vegetables it leaves a refreshing, pleasant aftertaste in the mouth.
  • Sauteed vegetables: Mint compliments nicely certain vegetables such as zucchini, peas, summer squash or carrots. It helps bring out these vegetables natural flavors and enhances the taste!
  • Tofu scrambles or Tofu burritos: For breakfast, scramble a bit of tofu with tomato and onion. You can put the tofu mix into a tortilla. Leave the mint on the plate to eat after the tofu burrito and it will help to eliminate onion breath and bad breath problems in general. Great to know when eating onions during lunch at work!
  • Mint oil: Mint has a soothing effect on the nerves. Just taking in the aroma can be calming and help with anxiety. Hippocrates had considered mint an aphrodisiac.

• Mint tea: Mint is a stimulant for the stomach and digestion. It will help move air through the digestive system and eliminate flatulence. It also increases appetite.In Morocco mint tea is drunk everywhere and sometimes 2 or 3 times a day. In fact, mint tea is the national drink of Morocco.
• Face cleansing: Mint can be used as an astringent and helps with irritated skin. Just put a couple leaves into a glass of water and rinse. It helps to rejuvenate the skin and brings energy into the mind and body.
• Ayurveda: Mint helps a number of different difficulties including the home remedies listed above, but also stomach bloating in general, headaches, and car or bus sickness. It is detoxifying and great for well-being.
• Magic: Mint is used often to purify the spirit and remove negative entities or impure thoughts.

Specific attributes for Mint as per Ayurveda:

• astringent; cooling
• cooling to Pitta dosha
• used in relaxing digestive issues
• used to sooth skin issues, can be used as a paste