When to collect mint, how to properly dry and store it, to get the maximum flavor, taste and benefit

In folk medicine, the term "peppermint" is commonly understood to mean several varieties of this plant, from wild plants to those cultivated on an industrial scale. In fact, information about the wild form is nothing more than a myth. Peppermint is derived by artificial means, by crossing several different species. And the grass growing in the forest by the stream or in the field is just a plant with a pleasant smell, belonging to the same family, and no more. Therefore, in a season when it is necessary to collect mint, it is not necessary to search for it neither in the forest, nor on a glade.

Beneficial features

As a rule, when peppermint is prescribed as a medicinal plant, the content of menthol in its leaves is fundamental. It is used for diseases of the cardiovascular system and the gastrointestinal tract. It also has analgesic and antiseptic effects. Peppermint oil is also used in dentistry and cooking, in the manufacture of cosmetics and perfumes. Decoction of its leaves is used as a sedative, they are added to regular tea when brewed or taken in its pure form.

When to collect mint

This should be done in the period of maximum content of menthol and oil in the leaves. As a rule, this time comes in mid-summer at the time of the beginning of flowering plants. Later, when the leaves stop growing, and the entire escape force is directed to the inflorescence, the amount of nutrients is reduced. When growing on an industrial scale in the fields, when picking mint, experts decide on the presence of buds. Do this with the help of specialized technology, after which it is dried naturally for further processing. The oil is extracted from freshly harvested plants, in all other cases, dried raw materials are used.

If the peppermint is grown in small quantities on the plot, it is simply cut using garden shears. In the future, the shoots are connected in several pieces and dried in the open air. Keep it in this form can be up to 2 years, during which all the useful properties are preserved. When you collect mint in your garden, everyone decides for himself. Some gardeners generally use it as an ornamental plant, periodically cutting the leaves and adding them to the tea. In this case, it simply gives a pleasant aroma to the drink and has a mild hypnotic effect, soothing the nervous system. So the content of oil and menthol in it does not play a big role.

In folk medicine, the use of this plant is very common. With the help of him relieve headache and nausea, it is used for motion sickness and cold, with pain in the heart and for healing wounds. In general, whatever happens, it always saves mint. When to collect it for different purposes, it also matters. In order to prepare the drops, use a dried plant, collected during the flowering period, tea is brewed from it. But from the headache and to heal wounds, fresh leaves will fit at any time of the year.

How to Make Mint Drops

It is much easier to get them ready in the usual pharmacy. There is such a drug is inexpensive, so it is quite affordable for anyone. But if you fundamentally cook it at home, then when you collect mint, it's time. It is dried, then crushed and poured with medical alcohol at a rate of 1 g of grass 20 g of liquid, and then for a day insist (the container should be shaken periodically). On the second day, filter. To achieve maximum effect, it is recommended to add 40 drops of peppermint oil. The finished drug is consumed by dripping into a refiner.