4 tips for using mint to keep your home smelling fresh

How to grow mint

If there are no contraindications for use, then growing mint in a pot on the windowsill will not be very difficult. This can be done in one of three ways: layering, seeds or cuttings. Which one is better to choose depends on how much faster you want to get the desired result. Planting a plant takes place in several stages:

Tank preparation. The pot where the plant will be sown or transplanted should be small, but wide.

This is important to consider, because the root system of the plant is quite powerful and branched.
The soil. The plant takes root quickly, but the land for planting should be taken fertile, not too acidic

It grows well on peat mixtures. If the soil is taken from the garden plot, then the composition is prepared - earth, sand, humus, peat are mixed in equal shares. The mixture is poured with a strong solution of potassium permanganate. Then it is desirable to ignite the soil in the oven and pour clean water. Thus, pathogenic microbes and pests are destroyed.
Landing. Which way to choose? If you want mint to grow faster, it’s easier to take a small root from the mother plant in the fall and plant it in a pot. After 15-20 days, it will be possible to pluck fresh leaves of a fragrant plant. When sown by seed, the first shoots begin to appear after about two weeks. After another two months, it will be possible to pluck tender young greens.
Watering and moisturizing. The plant loves moist soil, but not waterlogged. Watering is done as it dries. The leaves are sprayed with water.

Cuttings are produced as follows:

1. cut the stems into 10 cm, clearing the bottom of the leaves. Store-bought fresh mint can be used as cuttings. In this case, you should cut the bottom, thereby updating the plant.
2. Finished cuttings are placed in water until roots form. Then planted in prepared containers.

Sowing seeds is done on the surface of the prepared soil. Then sprinkled on top with a small layer up to 0.5 cm of earth.

All these growing methods differ in that the mint plant produces herbaceous stems through layering and cuttings. They are quite hard to the touch. more suitable for drying. When, during seed planting, greens grow more tender and soft.

Vinegar method

This product also belongs to the list of tricks of experienced housewives. With it, you can go into fire, and into water, and into copper pipes.

If you heat water with vinegar on the stove, then kitchen odors will disappear: burnt food, overly aromatic dishes, or a mixture of both. A similar solution, but with the addition of a couple of drops of aromatic oil - bergamot or lavender, you can wash the bathroom. This procedure will help get rid of persistent toilet odors.

Well, if pipes became sources of “fragrance”, then the following composition will help solve the problem: 1 part of coarse salt, 1 part of soda and 2 parts of vinegar. Fall asleep it's all down the drain and leave for 15 minutes, then rinse with hot water.

4. Method of point impact

The most effective way to maintain a pleasant atmosphere is the fight against local "pests".

Well, which of us, for example, does not make stocks? Potatoes, carrots, onions .. all this actively emits odors. To the outings! Organize a storage area outside the apartment, use vestibules, loggias, utility rooms.

Well, if the situation is hopeless and the vegetable “ghetto” can only be placed inside the house, then take care of containers with lids and odor-absorbing devices.

Speaking of the latter: do you know how to reduce the concentration of unpleasant odors in the bin?

There are two ways: the first is to place a special carbon filter inside that neutralizes odors, the second and more economical is to use toilet strips not on purpose! If you put a freshener at the bottom of the bucket, under the garbage bag, then the plastic will absorb its aroma and kill the ambre of the waste.

123RF/photosiber

5. Massive attack

Everything is fine, but what if emergency measures are needed, and the area of ​​​​impact should be maximum? How to quickly refresh the atmosphere if, for example, unexpected guests are on the doorstep, and frost and ventilation are excluded outside the window?

A frying pan and coffee beans will save you! Roast the beans over high heat, and their aroma will displace all unpleasant odors. Proven by more than one generation of housewives!

6. simple trick

This "air freshener" is easy to make yourself. And all you need is a few things - a glass candle jar, baking soda and essential oil.

The first option is to pour baking soda into a jar, add a few drops of essential oil, mix well and put a burning tablet candle on top. The bank does not need to close.

In the second case, you can do without a candle! This is where the lid of the jar comes in handy. You need to make holes in it (for example, with a screwdriver and a hammer, as in the video). A pleasant aroma in the house is guaranteed for you!

7. Beautiful way

For those who want to bring a little chic to the environment, we recommend using ... pomanders!

This mysterious word not only sounds beautiful, but is also an effective and inexpensive tool, as it was specially invented for our article and the subject of the rubric.

123RF/cokemomo

Making pomanders is simple: you only need a few oranges and a lot of cloves (seasoning). The second ones are stuck in a spiral into the first ones, the resulting structures are hung around the apartment. Such natural air fresheners will last a couple of weeks, and after that they can be replaced with new ones. The usefulness of pomanders is not limited to the function of aromatization, they also have a psychological effect: they relieve stress and improve mood.

Mint varieties suitable for growing on a windowsill

Mint is considered a spicy plant intended for outdoor cultivation.

About 30 species are known in nature. There are species that take root perfectly in an apartment - these are Peppermint, Menthol, Garden, and Anise Lofant.

Pay special attention to special varieties intended for planting in the house:

• Apple.
• Ceremony.
• Menthol.
• Muscovite.
• Pennyroyal.

All of these varieties are short growing. They do well at home. They require a minimum of attention. The top point must be pinched so that the plant branches and gives more greenery.

Varieties of mint for an apartment

Mint decorative room has many varieties, so we present the most famous:

1. Shrub spur flower is exactly the type of plectranthus that moths do not like so much. At the slightest touch, the plant releases essential oils that repel insects. The leaves are heart-shaped, plain, green in different shades. This type of large size, up to 70 cm;
2. Plectranthus koleusovidny - a shrub with erect shoots and rather large leaves. Up to one meter in height. The stem and cuttings are pubescent, the leaves are ovoid, with rounded teeth along the edge. Basically, the leaves of this species are bright green in color with a white or beige stripe along the edge, sometimes with spots;
3. Plectranthus Ertendal is a species that occupies one of the first places in popularity and beauty. It belongs to ampelous plants, its shoots do not tend upward, but spread along the ground. The leaves are oval, dark green above and reddish below.There is a silver pattern on the surface of the leaves, and it takes its place among the leaders. It has a light aroma of camphor;
4. Plectranthus Mona Lavender is a shrub with erect shoots that have a brown-brown color. The leaves are ovoid in shape, dark green in color, the surface of the sheet is glossy, on the reverse side it is covered with villi of a purple inflorescence. In September, it will delight you with a beautiful, dense inflorescence with large flowers, the hue of which is from purple to blue. Perhaps the presence of blue speck;
5. Hadiensis or felt plectranthus - a miniature bush up to 30 cm, with drooping shoots. The leaves are carved, slightly pubescent, light green in color. A very photophilous plant. It has a light mint aroma. Under natural conditions, the bush reaches a large size.
6. Oakleaf mint is named for the shape of the leaves. The leaves of this plectranthus actually resemble an oak leaf in shape. The plant has fleshy stems, light green leaves with a light silvery pile. When rubbing the leaf, you can feel the coniferous aroma.

Where to settle mint and not mint?

The aggressiveness of peppermint and catnip has already been mentioned. The rest are a little better, but they will not miss theirs either. So it is advisable to settle them in a pre-limited place. I have mint and lemon balm sitting in stone circles near the trunks of cherries and plums, everything that crawls out is removed during mowing. At the end of the season, the mint is mercilessly thinned out. At the beginning of the season, I do not touch it, because we have bees - let it bloom more so that the bees do not fly far. There are no more weeds in the near-stem circle - even the mint survived.

By the way, there were no aphids on the plum and cherry, under which mint and lemon balm were planted, she was sitting on a neighboring plum.

All mints and lemon balm can be used in flower beds, but they can be planted in dug-in metal containers, and they will break plastic ones as they grow.

I once saw a joint planting of peppermint with red daylily - a battle of the titans! The combination of colors and architecture, however, turned out to be interesting.

For culinary and medicinal purposes, a lot of mint is not required, so it is quite possible to organize a small fenced mini-garden of herbs. But they need constant supervision! If mint flowers are not needed, it is better to regularly cut the greens, preventing the peduncles from coming out.

Some varietal mints, lemon balm and catnip rage much less than their wild counterparts, especially variegated species - they can be planted in flower beds without restrictions on the root system.

But the agastahe place is definitely in the flower garden. This genus has amazing decorative potential. My favorite "Golden Jubilee" is unusually good with golden foliage with lilac spikelets of inflorescences. The aroma is very pronounced, not minty, with anise notes.

Budra looks elegant in hanging planters, on retaining walls, as a ground cover. If not in a cache-pot, then it is also necessary to limit it - it creeps, taking root in all nodes, and is able to occupy quite a large space during the season.

To soils and growing conditions, mint, both real and fake, are very unpretentious. They will be grateful for watering in the heat, as it seems to me, they don’t need top dressing - and without it they grow and ear perfectly. At least on neutral or slightly acidic loam, I had no other soil.

Herb garden. KustRoz

Secrets of brewing tea with menthol aroma

The standard way to brew mint tea is to add 1 tbsp to 250 ml of boiling water. l. dry crushed mint.Infuse tea for 15 minutes. Mint water will be unusually tasty - 1-2 bunches of fresh grass should be poured with 500 ml of clean water. Or you can just add 1 tsp. mint in black tea.

For the preparation of a medicinal drink, other recipes are suitable. To get an infusion that will help relieve pain in the heart, you should take 2 tsp. chopped leaves, brew 1 tbsp. freshly boiled water. Leave for 20 min. Strain, drink 150 ml 1-3 r. in a day.

To make a decoction, you need 15 g of dried grass. It is poured with 1 tbsp. water. Boil 10 min. Insist for half an hour. Take 1 tbsp. l. from 3 to 4 p. per day before meals.

In excessive amounts, mint is harmful even to an absolutely healthy person. Drinking more than 1-2 cups a day can cause nausea, heartburn, weakness, rashes, dizziness, severe headache. In case of an overdose, mint can provoke bronchospasm, heart pain, and insomnia. So do not consume mint tea 10 cups a day, remember that this is still a medicinal plant.

Agrotechnical requirements

Planting and caring for peppermint in the open field are not difficult for gardeners, since the culture is winter-hardy (it tolerates frosts down to -10 ° C without insulation), unpretentious. The rhizome spreads rapidly around the bush, what to consider when located next to other plants

It is important to choose the right predecessors so that the yield is not reduced by pathogens or pests accumulated in the soil, as well as harmful substances released by other crops into the ground.

Peppermint can be planted after:

• cucumbers, zucchini, pumpkins;
• onion and garlic;
• green manure, legumes;
• early and cauliflower;
• tomatoes, peppers;
• potatoes, beets;
• herbs, spices.

It is undesirable to use beds after carrots, turnips, late-ripening cabbage. Good neighbors - nettles, tomatoes, beets. Optimal conditions for growing peppermint: temperature +18-22°C (at +23-25°C the concentration of essential oil in the raw material increases, but the amount of menthol decreases), sufficient and timely soil moisture.

Soil Requirements

Peppermint prefers loose, well-drained, nutrient-rich soils. You can easily grow a crop on loamy, sandy loamy soil. The plant will die in heavy, clay soil and in a wetland, even careful care will not help. Acidity should be equal to pH 6-7. The introduction of a large amount of lime during preparation will lead to a decrease in the concentration of essential oils, a less pronounced smell. From fertilizers, mint prefers humus, nitrogen and phosphorus mineral complexes. The spice belongs to perennials, therefore, it requires careful pre-planting preparation of the beds.

Climatic conditions

Culture grows everywhere, adapting to the weather in any region. In the southern regions it grows well in partial shade, since it has enough daylight hours lasting 4 hours. In the north, it is better to place it in areas open to the sun; before winter, mulch the soil with a thick layer of humus, straw, coniferous tree branches. Peppermint tolerates adverse environmental conditions well, if the right place for cultivation is chosen, sufficient soil preparation has been carried out.

How to keep mint fresh

Mint leaves have a delicate integumentary tissue, therefore they quickly wither after harvest.The branches retain their turgor for no more than 2-3 hours after being cut, but knowing certain secrets, the duration of fresh storage without freezing can be significantly increased.

There are several simple methods:

1. Plucked mint is stored at room temperature in a container with clean water (like a bouquet). At the same time, the stem is preliminarily cut obliquely with a sharp knife, the leaves are cut off at the base to prevent decay. Water should be changed every day. A simple method allows you to extend the freshness of the plant by 3-5 days (depending on the quality of the raw materials), if the mint has been without water for a long time, its freshness will decrease to 2 days.
2. Mint is washed under cold water and dried on a paper towel. The plant is folded into an airtight plastic container and placed in a cool place, it is necessary to exclude contact with the sun's rays. The maximum duration of freshness is 4 days.

You can keep the juiciness of mint leaves for 10 or more days by storing it in the refrigerator.

In this case, attention is paid to the original quality of raw materials, damaged branches are not suitable for long-term storage. The spread of rot and other lesions can cause the loss of the entire supply

The branches are put in a plastic container or wrapped in a paper towel and sent to storage in storage compartment vegetables.

If after harvesting the mint cannot be immediately placed in a container with water, it is recommended to wrap the stems with a damp cloth and place in a plastic bag. Then the plant will not begin to fade immediately.

If the mint needs to be kept fresh for about 10-14 days, the best solution is to determine it in the refrigerator. Under certain conditions, the spice will retain its smell and taste.Appearance may be slightly altered because leaves darken quickly after picking.

How to use mint in everyday life

Essential oils.

Peppermint essential oils have a relaxing effect. Therefore, we recommend adding a few drops of peppermint oil to shampoos and body washes. This is especially true in the heat. The extracts of this plant will fill your skin with coolness and a pleasant light aroma.

Invigorating tonic.

With the help of mint, you can prepare an invigorating tonic for the face. To do this, cut fresh mint leaves and put them in clean water. Leave in the refrigerator for an hour. During this time, the leaves will transfer their useful elements to the water, keeping them in their original form. It remains only to dip your face several times in this fragrant tonic infusion and your skin will gain elasticity, and a healthy blush will appear on your cheeks.

Foot scrub.

After a hard day's work, your legs often swell and feel heavy. In this case, a soothing mint foot scrub will help you. To prepare it, tear mint leaves and mix them with salt and olive oil. Rub and massage your feet with this mixture for several minutes. After this procedure, you will feel how lightness appeared in your legs and fatigue disappeared.

Freshness.

To give freshness to drinks, you can prepare ice with mint. It is enough to put a leaf of a plant in each compartment to freeze water. By adding such ice to cold drinks, you will give them freshness and a pleasant aroma.

Relieves stomach spasm.

With stomach cramps, tension in the stomach, mint will again come to the rescue. It is enough to drink mint tea or just add mint to water with lemon, and you will feel relief.Unpleasant heaviness in the abdomen and pain will pass.

Headache.

Peppermint will also help with headaches. After all, it is often formed from spasms of blood vessels. Warm mint tea will also relax them, as in cases with the stomach.

Nasal congestion.

In cases of nasal congestion, inhalations with this plant are excellent. With difficulty breathing, it is enough to add mint to boiling water and breathe over the healing vapors.

Cancer diseases.

In addition, mint can even prevent cancer. It is believed that it slows down the development of skin and colon cancer. It should definitely be included in your daily diet. In addition to drinks, mint leaves are added to salads.

Freshness of breath.

Due to its unique aroma, mint extract is used to freshen breath. It is enough to chew a leaf, and you will get rid of bad breath. You can also prepare a whitening toothpaste. To do this, mix peppermint oil with soda and hydrogen peroxide. However, you should not abuse such a tool, otherwise the enamel of the teeth will quickly become thinner.

Refreshes the room.

In addition, mint refreshes the room well. You can mix dried mint with other herbs and flowers and spread this fragrant mixture in different corners of the apartment.

Like a cleanser.

Mint and baking soda can be used to clean and refresh the carpet. It is enough to mix these ingredients and rub the carpet with the resulting mixture. You can vacuum it up after an hour. This method perfectly disinfects and fills the room with a pleasant aroma for a long time.

Fights rodents.

Among other things, minty flavor does not like rodents.Therefore, we advise you to plant several bushes of this plant on your site, and then the mice and moles will forget the way to you.

As you can see, such a common plant will help you in various areas of life. Be sure to grow mint in your home, and your house will be filled with comfort, and your body with health

Beneficial features

Fresh mint leaves have a pronounced sedative effect. The ability of mint to normalize the work of the central nervous system is used to eliminate:

• psycho-emotional instability;
• depressive conditions;
• increased anxiety.

Due to the high concentration of menthol, the fresh plant exhibits arrhythmic and hypotensive effects due to the expansion of blood vessels. And the presence in the composition of a large number of phytoncides determines the antimicrobial and antispasmodic properties that help to quickly get rid of the painful symptoms of cystitis.

Respiratory infections

Fresh leaves contain a lot of menthol, which has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and disinfectant effects. After eating a couple of leaves, breathing is facilitated, congestion and flow from the nose disappear. And the mucolytic properties of mint are used to thin and evacuate thick sputum, which provokes bouts of painful dry cough. Essential oil from fresh leaves destroys pathogenic pathogens of bronchitis, tonsillitis, laryngitis and removes toxic products of their growth and reproduction from the upper respiratory tract.

Gastrointestinal diseases

Fresh mint should not be introduced into the diet of people diagnosed with gastritis with low acidity or ulcerative lesions of the digestive tract. But with excessive production of gastric juice by the glands, the plant will be very useful.The use of fresh leaves will serve as an obstacle to damage by caustic acid to the mucous membranes. Gastroenterologists recommend using the plant to relieve nausea and excessive gas formation, often due to the predominance of fatty and fried foods in the daily menu. And the use of fresh mint during bacterial intestinal infections helps to normalize digestion and peristalsis.

The best long term storage

The easiest, most convenient way to store mint for a long time is in dried form. But, if you plan to use mint to create cocktails, drinks or any savory dishes, it is better to freeze it fresh. Freezing in ice cubes is the best method. A lot of useful properties are partially lost with any option for long-term storage.

The maximum storage time for mint in the refrigerator is no more than 2 weeks, but keep in mind that the plant will gradually lose some of its beneficial properties. Freezing the plant allows you to preserve the benefits and freshness throughout the year. There are several ways to provide it: mint is frozen in leaves and stems, as well as in ice cubes. With so many options, choosing the one that suits you is easy. It is much more difficult to ensure long-term storage of another aromatic herb - lemon balm. It retains its freshness in the refrigerator for no more than 10 days, and it cannot be frozen. The best solution is to dry the raw materials for the winter.

Video: How to prepare mint for the winter? Drying or freezing?

How to prepare mint for the winter? Drying or freezing?

Watch this video on YouTube

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