Support Your Digestive System with Mint
Recipe Key
As you journey through the summer with me you know Iโve been talking about loving your gut. In Chinese medicine summer is the month of the small intestine. Keeping my gut in optimal condition helps me maintain my natural weight and feel energized daily. Itโs the reason I do the Summer Nourishing Foods Cleanse. ย Summer is the perfect time to welcome this deep cleanse and give your small intestine a little loving.
If your small intestine is not working well, you won’t be properly nourished even if you are eating the perfect diet.ย ย
Reserve your spot for theย Nourishing Foods Summer Cleanse – Revitalize Your Small Intestineย scheduled for the week of Aug 21 and join me in paying some due respect to the root of your health.
Click hereย to get more information and sign up.
Right now before the cleanse begins is the perfect time to bring in a refreshing summer food that nourishes your insides and enlivens your taste buds. Can you guess what that is?
This gut-loving ingredient might be growing in your garden.
Youโve probably used it to soothe your tummy in the past.
Itโs peppermint!
Peppermint grows like a weed in the warm summer months.
You donโt have to stick with just plain peppermint. There are many different species of mint. Sometimes you can find fun varieties like orange, lavender, ginger, pineapple and even chocolate mint. These are actual varieties not fake flavorings.
When it comes to gut support peppermint is very powerful for helping relieve symptoms of IBS, cramps and stomach pain. Research shows peppermint acts through a specific anti-pain channel called TRPM8 to reduce pain sensing fibers, which is why itโs so effective in relieving stomach pain.
Clinical trials generally use enteric-coated peppermint capsules but I prefer to play with fresh peppermint leaves instead of supplements. (see recipes below).
Just the smell of peppermint activates the salivary glands and starts the secretion of digestive enzymes, helping to facilitate digestion. Thatโs why youโll often see mint included in salads or appetizers.
Peppermint has been used in traditional cultures to help relieve nausea, motion sickness or other stomach problems. I like to keep peppermint tea in my pantry to soothe my stomach. Sometimes I pair it with ginger for extra digestive support.
Note of awareness: Some studies show peppermint can relax the LES (lower esophageal sphincter), the valve between your stomach and esophagus, which can be a contributing factor to heartburn. If you suffer from heartburn, be cautious with peppermint. Thatโs not to say that itโs not right for you but youโll want to bring peppermint in slowly to see how your body responds to it.
Peppermint also helps freshen your breath. While that might not help with digestion directly, it certainly keeps your mouth and the people you come in contact with happy.
There are many ways to have funย with peppermint:
- Drink peppermint water all summer long as a delicious, refreshing beverage to support your gut. (see recipe below)
- Add a handful of fresh peppermint to your smoothie (it complements just about any fruit)
- Chop fresh peppermint and add it to roasted veggies, green salads, fruit salad, dressings and soups
- Add a drop of peppermint essential oil (therapeutic grade) to your water or tea
- Add a few leaves to nori rolls for a bright fresh taste
- Make peppermint tea by muddling fresh mint and steeping in hot water or purchase peppermint tea bags
- Grow your own; itโs especially happy outside during the warm summer months (just keep it away from other herbs, because it’ll overtake them) and it grows well inside on a sunny windowsill all winter long.
Recipes with Peppermint
Mint Water
ยฝ gallon filtered water
1 small bunch of mint leaves about 1 cup
- Bruise the mint leaves with a wooden spoon and place
into a glass jar or pitcher. I use a large jar and keep it covered in theย refrigerator - Add the water
- Put into the refrigerator for at least 2 hours
- Pour water through a strainer every time you want a
refreshing, healing drink - It keeps in the refrigerator for about 1 week
Creamy Chocolate Mint Vegan Ice Cream
How great is mint ice cream in the summer? This recipe is relatively easy to make and you donโt even need an ice cream maker.
Cauliflower Tabouli
This is a simple salad ofย chopped vegetables, mint andย lots of fresh parsley, all tossed together with lemon juice and olive oil.
Roasted Beets with Cumin Lime and Mintย
Earthy beets with a dressing of toasted cumin, honey, and lime juice and a generous garnish of fresh mint.
Spring Vegetable Medley with White Beans
A light, bright, satisfying dish with lots of vegetables and herbs including mint.
Support your digestive systemย this summer with fresh mint. Bring some additional gut healing to your body by joining us for the Nourishing Foods Summer Cleanse. Your gut will thank you and youโll feel light and energized all year long.
I love this blog! Perfect timing. I live in general terms, following clean eating principles, and yet still manage to fluctuate with my weight/digestive issues—-mainly stress zapping my energy & throwing me off my game. These type of seasonal, tasty, easy-to-apply suggestions help me stay inspired. I adore organic peppermint essential oil & have a bottle right by my computer so I can sniff and add to temples when I get a head ache or low energy/stuffy—anything that needs a sharp, clean lift! The beet recipe looks perfect for yummy healthy summer food, I am looking forward to trying it. I love adding fresh mint leaves to fresh cut pineapple, cooling in fridge then eating as a palate cleanser/dessert after dinner—-also very nice to have cold at the beach or after a hike! Oh and adding peppermint essential oil to a little spray bottle with aloe juice/witch hazel, or rose, or orange blossom water (in spice section at grocery) or fresh filtered water & making a minted cooling face & body mist when very hot out. I keep this in my bag for the beach! Did I mention that I adore peppermint?!! Ha ha! I do!
Hi Luminous,
I love your additional suggestions for using mint, they’re really great. I am going to get a bottle of organic peppermint essential oil to keep at my desk. Sounds divine!