Mint is a member of the genus Mentha – plants with a strong menthol flavor. There are a number of varieties including spearmint, peppermint, apple mint, orange mint and even chocolate mint.
Mint is a perennial which spreads rapidly and can be invasive. It’s best to keep mint in a bed of its own to keep it from taking over your garden. Mint grows about 12 – 18″ tall, and will grow in full sun to partial shade. It loves moisture. The leaves are best harvested before the plant’s purple flowers appear; pinch flower buds off if you wish to delay flowering.
Mint is a good source of  Thiamin, Niacin, Vitamin B6, Phosphorus and Zinc, Fiber, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Riboflavin, Folate, Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Potassium, Copper and Manganese. (Source)
There are probably more uses for mint than any other herb. Many of those uses are culinary, but mint is also used in other ways. For example:
1.) Allow some of the plant to flower to attract beneficial insects. These beneficial insects will help to devour insects which can destroy your garden.
2.) Mint is helpful in repelling mice, ants, flies and moths. Place fresh mint leaves in places where you are having a problem and replace when they dry out.
Planting mint near your home where pests enter may also help. Or combine several drops of mint essential oil and water into a spray bottle and spray around the foundation of your home, in cabinets, or in any place where pests are a problem.
Mint also deters white cabbage moth in the garden.
3.) Eat a fresh leaf or two to freshen breath.
4.) Make iced tea. In my opinion, fresh mint makes the best iced tea. Pour 6 cups of boiling water over a large handful of fresh mint sprigs. Steep for about 20 minutes. Strain. Add honey or other sweetener to taste, and lemon if desired. Refrigerate until cold.
This tea aids digestion and soothes an upset stomach, and is delicious.
5.) Use the mint iced tea to soothe the pain of sunburn.
6.) Sprinkle chopped mint leaves on peas, carrots, fruit salad and tossed green salad.
7.) Place fresh mint leaves under the skin of a whole chicken before roasting and add to the cavity of the chicken.
8.) Make mint pesto to serve over lamb. Blend 2 c fresh mint leaves, 1/2 c olive oil, 4 cloves garlic. Optionally, parmesan and pine nuts may also be included.
9.) Blend 1/2 c of fresh mint leaves with the sugar in your favorite chocolate chip cookie recipe and then continue with the recipe as normal.
10.) When making homemade vanilla ice cream, steep a cup of chopped, fresh mint leaves in the warmed milk for 15 – 20 minutes. Strain, and then proceed with your recipe.
11.) For another refreshing beverage, place peeled fresh cucumber slices and fresh mint leaves in a pitcher of water and refrigerate until cold.
12.) Make minted cucumber salad by tossing together 2 peeled and sliced cucumbers, 20 – 30 fresh mint leaves, julienned (these scissors make the job easy), 2 T mayonnaise or yogurt, sea salt and pepper to taste. Chill.
What great ways have you found to use mint?
To learn how to build a garden that builds healthy soil, be sure to check out my eBook The Art of Gardening: Building Your Soil. You really can become a better gardener, and you really can grow healthy, nourishing produce. It’s all about the soil! Click here to buy now.
Recommended Reading: The Complete Book of Herbs by Leslie Bremness
Thank you for visiting Learning And Yearning. May "the LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace." Num 6:24-26
Angi@schneiderpeeps.com says
Hi, I came over from the From the Farm blog hop. I’ve been wanting to plant some mint since we moved a year and a half ago. But I couldn’t decide where to plant it. Yesterday I found the perfect spot. Thanks for sharing!
Susan says
Great; mint is so yummy. It’s a must have!
Mary says
Thanks for the tips! I have a bunch of mint growing in front of my house, but didn’t know what to do with it besides making tea. 🙂
Susan says
Glad to help, Mary.
Missy says
Love it! I hopped over from the Backyard Farming Connection Hop, great post! I love mint and am always looking for new ways to use it! Thanks for sharing!
Tere Fredericks says
I see the USES for mint — all good, by the way and I ADORE the chocolate chip cookie idea! — but no tips for growing. Am I missing something?
Susan says
Hi Tere, the tips are in the first paragraph: Mint is a perennial which spreads rapidly and can be invasive. It’s best to keep it in a bed of its own to keep it from taking over your garden. Mint grows about 12 – 18? tall, and will grow in full sun to partial shade. It loves moisture. The leaves are best harvested before the plant’s purple flowers appear; pinch flower buds off if you wish to delay flowering.
Jennifer says
Thank you for linking this post to our From the Farm Blog Hop. We love growing mint here at 1840 Farm. I love to use it in the nest boxes of the chicken coops here to freshen the coop and deter pests.
I just pinned this post to several of my Pinterest boards. I know that my followers will love reading about these creative uses for mint. I can’t wait to see what you link up next week!
Mary@Back to the Basics! says
WOW!!! I love mint but I’ve never tried with cucumbers.
Thanks so much for sharing at Tuesdays with a Twist. Hope to see you again this week!
http://back2basichealth.blogspot.com/2013/05/tuesdays-with-twist-7-and-huge-seed.html
Kathy says
We love making mint wine!
Susan says
Oh, wow! That’s a new one. Do you mind sharing your recipe?
Kathy says
We just found a recipe on the internet. Mint, sugar and yeast and time.
KarinSDCA says
I dry mint (several varieties, but any will work) and lemon verbena and lemon balm. Grind in mortar and pestle or spice grinder. Then, combine equal parts baking soda and dried, ground herbs. This becomes an excellent “carpet fresh” or shoe deodorizer. I also sprinkle it on mattresses and sofas. In all cases, let it sit for awhile to absorb odors and then vacuum up. Leaves a fresh scent throughout the house and deters pests.
Susan says
Oh! Another great idea. Thanks!
KarinSDCA says
Oh, and how could I have forgotten my favorite “flavored water”???? Orange-mint “spa water”!!! I pick 2-3 hand-length pieces of mint (I prefer a combo of varieties, but all one variety will work) and rinse them under cool running water. Place in bottom of glass pitcher. Use the end of a wooden spoon to lightly crush the mint.
Slice fresh oranges (or any citrus, but our CSA has been giving us OODLES of oranges — 3-4 different varieties) and cut in half. Place in glass pitcher. Use the end of a wooden spoon to lightly macerate the orange slices.
Fill pitcher with ice.
Fill pitcher with water.
Stir. Place in fridge for awhile to let flavors meld a bit. When you pour the water, the ice filters the leaves and fruit while looking pretty! Tastes delicious and refreshing!
Susan says
I like this idea – easier than iced tea!
Kristel from Healthy Frugalista says
We had a graduation party last weekend and I had large bouquets on the tables. I used mint sprigs in the bouquets with the flowers. Not only is mint a very pretty leaf, but the smell was lovely too.
Susan says
What a pretty idea!!! Thanks for sharing Kristel. PS. I miss seeing your posts.
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for Growing It -. I actually do have some questions
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like your linkedin profile, Facebook page or twitter feed?
Linda says
Both Peppermint and Spearmint are great for keeping spiders away. I use essential oils and add Lavender, a few drops of dish soap, vinegar & water to a spray bottle. I spray it all over the house, It does not mess up the paint on the walls or anything so don’t worry. Just get rid of the bad guys!!!
Melissa says
Could you provide more exact proportions of the ingredients you mentioned? I have an old house with a dirt cellar and an over abundance of spiders. I’d prefer to manage them without pesticides. Thanks!
Susan Vinskofski says
Melissa, I googled “mint essential oils to get rid of spiders” and found several similar recipes. 🙂
Melissa says
Thanks for the suggestion.
Susan Vinskofski says
A great tip, Linda. Thank you!
Rose Zammit says
I have a bird of paradise plant out in the balcony and noticed a mint coming up would that harm my plant?