Herbs and spices were used by ancient cultures to heal the body, mind, and spirit. While the western world has largely replaced these natural remedies with pharmaceuticals, roughly 80 percent of people worldwide still use traditional or ancient medicine. This is not surprising considering that more than 80 percent of pharmaceuticals are derived or developed from natural products, including plants. In this series, we will explore the healing power of herbs and spices while learning how to incorporate these ancient remedies into our daily diet.
Mint (Mentha) is widely used for its culinary, medicinal, and aromatherapeutic properties. It represents a group of perennial herbs that includes 18 species and 11 hybrids. The most commonly known are peppermint, spearmint, and wild mint.
Sina McCullough
Sina McCullough holds a doctorate in nutrition and a bachelor's in science in neurobiology, physiology, and behavior from UC Davis. She was director of research and development for a supplement company and taught biochemistry and bioenergetics at UC Davis.
Cooking for Healing—The Many Medicinal Properties of Mint