Today we are going to look at mint. Most people are only familiar with peppermint and spearmint, but there are many varieties. How about chocolate mint? Pineapple mint? Those are two of approximately 600 types of mint native to the Mediterranean and western Asia. Mint is a general term for plants from the "mentha" family, which also includes pennyroyal.
Mint is ruled by the planet Mercury, the element air, and the deities Pluto and Hecate. Its powers include money, lust, healing, travel, exorcism, and protection.
Mint is kept in the home for protection. To attract money, simply carry some mint in your wallet, or rub it where your money is kept. To clean an area before ritual, sprinkle salt water with a sprinkler made of marjoram, rosemary and mint.
In the kitchen, peppermint tea is used to aid digestion and relieve stomach discomfort and gas. The tea has also been used since the days of the ancient Greeks for stimulating interest in sexual activity.
Peppermint Tea
Put one tsp of dried peppermint into a tea cup. Add nearly boiling water and steep for at least 1o minutes. If your goal is purification, let it steep for 13 minutes.
Mint is added to diets for purification along with bay, black pepper, horseradish, thyme, and turmeric.
Cucumber-Yogurt Raita with Mint
1 cup plain yogurt (preferably Greek style, but you can make Greek-style yogurt by straining regular yogurt through a piece of cheese cloth)
1/2 cucumber, peeled, seeded and chopped
1 Tablespoon fresh mint, finely chopped
pinch of salt
Combine these ingredients and chill. Serve this cool, creamy sauce with spicy Indian fare and fresh naan.
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