Mint leaves - a useful herb to grow in your kitchen garden or on the window sill
By kiran8
@kiran8 (15348)
Mangalore, India
September 26, 2010 5:13am CST
Mint, Pudina or Mentha Sativa ( Botanical name ) is an aromatic herb that has many health benefits . It is used extensively in cooking in India and other parts of the world.
I grow mint at home in a pot and use it for almost everything - Chutneys, curries,dips and also add it to juice, esp lime juice. It tastes great when you blend the leaves coarsely and add it to any vegetable/fruit juice, lime juice or soups...It can also be added to Tea along with Honey and lemon and either served hot or chilled...
There are many medicinal qualities and it is used extensively in Ayurvedic medicines.Mint leaves ground into a fine paste and applied on pimples and scars help in clearing it.
It can easily be grown in a wide plastic container which gives it enough space to spread .If you dont have the convenience you can grow in any odd pot and keep it on your kitchen window sill...
3 people like this
9 responses
@justdroppingby (296)
• Philippines
26 Sep 10
Yup. In the Philippines mint leaves are also cultivated and more popularly known as herba buena. We have it in our yard actually - very convenient for when I want to have some mint with my pasta dishes. Never really explored its medicinal properties though - thanks kiran8 for sharing the other wonderful uses of mint leaves! :)
@kiran8 (15348)
• Mangalore, India
26 Sep 10
Hi ddguno, it grows in the tropics, but it can be grown indoors if you have room heating. You can try to grow it.Easy to do so - if you happen to pick a bunch of mint leaves with stems seperate the leaves and put the sturdy,healthy looking stems in a glass of water and keep it in a warm place.After a few days you can see fine roots beginning to emerge from the stem that is submerged in the water.At this stage you can transfer it into a prepared planter...all the best
and thanks a lot for the response
and thanks a lot for the response
@kiran8 (15348)
• Mangalore, India
26 Sep 10
Hi kala,thats nice....so what have you named the little one ? Mint is easier to grow when you mix more sand into your soil mixture.Kala, I saw your status comment on mp5 and left a comment of my own - see you , feeling sleepy now - good night kala and have a great day tomorrow 
....so what have you named the little one ? Mint is easier to grow when you mix more sand into your soil mixture.Kala, I saw your status comment on mp5 and left a comment of my own - see you , feeling sleepy now - good night kala and have a great day tomorrow 
@Phaedra_Scythe (3325)
•
27 Sep 10
Mint is so easy to grow too! I'm not much of a gardener myself, but the mint always does alright without me needing to get involved. It goes wild and takes over other pots!
I didn't know it could be used as a spot treatment. I might look into that more because I'll give anything a go! Does it actually fade old scars?
@Phaedra_Scythe (3325)
•
27 Sep 10
I think I might try making my own face mask! Thanks for the fun tips!
@bhanusb (5709)
• India
27 Sep 10
Hi kiran,
I like mixture of smashed pudina(mint),garlic and ginger with mastered oil. It is so delicious. Yes pudina has many medical qualities. It is good for apatite. Mint is also an ingredient to make salad. I shall taste all the items of pudina those you have mentioned.
@kiran8 (15348)
• Mangalore, India
28 Sep 10
Hi bhanu, that sounds really nice.No imli or lime to add sour taste? because I make a similar concoction for which I add some lime juice or tamarind juice.It tastes great and do try out all the recipes...I too like to use mint leaves in salads and parathas too...all the best and enjoy your evening
and do try out all the recipes...I too like to use mint leaves in salads and parathas too...all the best and enjoy your evening
@kawalnarang (1095)
• Trinidad And Tobago
26 Sep 10
Yesss, you remind me of those days,, I have tried it 3 times, recently,,but failed .it doesn't grow here,, will try to get one more plant,,and maybe some different soil manure etc.enjoy
@kiran8 (15348)
• Mangalore, India
26 Sep 10
Hi kawalnarang, why is it so? I mean why doesn't it grow there?I somehow thought that the weather was similar to that of India...It takes a while to establish itself, and once it does it really grows well and spreads - long time since you came here kawal , hope all ok with you - all the best, enjoy your evening
@kawalnarang (1095)
• Trinidad And Tobago
1 Oct 10
I am in Trinidad ,West Indies,not much different to South India,the weather is just like Tamilnadu/S Lanka,,No winters,, I am fine,,Will try again ,, Mint is a plant I love anyway,,Have FUN,
@pinksplotch (268)
• Quezon City, Philippines
28 Sep 10
there are indeed lots of benefits of growing your own mint. in food and cooking - it's a great flavoring, in beauty - it could reduce spots/scars, and in health - it could cure muscle pains (drink mint tea 3x a day. also chop fresh mint leaves then apply directly to painful body part.. i love mint! ^_^
@kiran8 (15348)
• Mangalore, India
29 Sep 10
Hi pink, thanks a lot for your response I must try the mint tea which is definitely refreshing and I have it with lime and honey once in a while.It may be a good idea to switch over from normal tea in the evening to mint tea ...Great tips, all the best and happy mylotting
I must try the mint tea which is definitely refreshing and I have it with lime and honey once in a while.It may be a good idea to switch over from normal tea in the evening to mint tea ...Great tips, all the best and happy mylotting 
@Mitraa (3184)
• India
26 Sep 10
Yes Kiran, I have a great love for this variety of plant 'Mint'. But at present, my mint plant is spoiled due to lack of rain reently. Well, I shall develop new ones in few days. This is a necessity for every household! So all must try to grow it and take its real hyeginic advantages!!
@Sreekala (34312)
• India
27 Sep 10
Hi Kiran,
Yes mint leaves are famous for its medicinal value. Here it is available in the market and it is costly now. But in winter it is available in plenty and will be cheaper. I have used it with chutneys but not a regular user of the same. I like the aroma of mint leaves. I too read that it is good for pimples.
. Here it is available in the market and it is costly now. But in winter it is available in plenty and will be cheaper. I have used it with chutneys but not a regular user of the same. I like the aroma of mint leaves. I too read that it is good for pimples.
@bluemoonpavilion (4658)
• Singapore
27 Sep 10
Hi kiran,
When I go for my yoga classes on saturday morning, they have this mint scent as the air refresher in the room. I love the smell as it wakes me up totally and makes me feel energetic the whole day. I think mint is a wonderful herb!
I haven't thought of growing one in my house, I don't think I have green fingers. 
I haven't thought of growing one in my house, I don't think I have green fingers. 