Mint Has Strong Antimicrobial, Antiviral and Antitumor Compounds
Historical Highlights
Mint in its variety of forms is so hardy – almost weed-like – it can be found the world over. It’s thought to have originated in the Mediterranean and then spread south and north to Europe and the British Isles and from there to the New World via the first colonists. However, it’s researchers believe that mint has existed in a wild form throughout the world, including America.
Mint is considered by many as one of the oldest cultivated herbs. Ancient plant 
remains have been discovered in Egyptian tombs dating to 1000 BCE and was referenced not only in the Bible but also in Chinese medical texts centuries previous.
Medicinally, mint has been used for digestion, as a diuretic, and to reduce gastrointestinal distress, fevers and inflammation.
Ancient Romans decorated themselves with mint wreaths, and also believed ingesting it increased intelligence! Mint was carried in the pockets of royal ambassadors as it was believed the sprigs kept others from losing their temper.
In present times, the US is now the producer of nearly 70% of the world’s mint crop!
Amazing Benefits
A naturally occurring herb, mint has no cholesterol and is rich in antioxidants and fiber. Mint is also rich in vitamins A, B, C and E.
Mint juice is an excellent source of the blood clotting vitamin K. It provides calcium, iron, manganese, magnesium and potassium. Potassium assists in controlling blood pressure. The antioxidant minerals manganese and copper help cleanse the body and fight the aging process.
Mint contains essential oils such as acetate, menthol and menthone which act as relaxants in the intestinal walls and as anti-spasmodic that counter the effects of irritable bowel syndrome.
Research is currently underway to further study the significant antimicrobial, antiviral and antitumor activities found in mint.
My Favorite Mint Juice & Smoothie Recipes
Mint Pineapple
6 cups Pineapple – remove the course pineapple surface.
1/2 Cucumber – skin and all!
10 leaves fresh Mint – stems and all!
Mint Apple & Green Tea
4 Apples – seeds, skin and all!
2 leaves Kale
10 leaves fresh Mint
sprinkle with Green Tea powder or leaves
Mint Orange Parsnip – another remarkable juice combo from my juicing friend Priscilla Kane Hellweg!
2 Oranges – without the rind
1 big Parsnip – skin and all!
1 Grapefruit – without the rind
1 Pear
A clump of Mint
A chunk of Ginger
1/2 Lemon – with the rind
More delicious and powerful recipes can be found in Juicing & Smoothie Recipes That Heal! available here in the box on the right and for Kindle, Nook and iPad users at Amazon, Barnes & Noble and iBooks.
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