🌿 Spearmint: The Mint I Actually Like Alright, let’s talk about spearmint. Not peppermint. Peppermint is aggressive. Peppermint is the mint that shows up uninvited, kicks your sinuses in, and then wonders why you’re upset. Spearmint is calmer. Spearmint has manners. This is the mint I reach for when I want help, not a lecture. Why people actually use spearmint First: digestion. Spearmint is great if your stomach likes to complain. Bloating, gas, that heavy “why did I eat that” feeling. Spearmint doesn’t panic your system, it just gently says, “Okay, let’s all calm down.” This is why it’s been used after meals forever. Because it works. Second: hormones behaving a little better. A lot of people use spearmint for hormone-related issues. Breakouts, mild imbalance, PCOS symptoms. No, it’s not magic. No, it won’t fix everything. But for some people, it helps take the edge off, and sometimes that’s enough. Third: stress that goes straight to your gut. Some people get stressed and clench their jaw. Some people get stressed and their stomach immediately files a formal complaint. Spearmint can help with that. It’s calming without making you sleepy. You can still function. You just won’t feel like your insides are tied in knots. And yes, breath. Spearmint helps with breath. Obviously. This isn’t deep wisdom, but it’s still important. How people actually use spearmint (in real life) You do not need special tools or a personality change. Tea One teaspoon dried spearmint or a few fresh leaves Hot water Steep it for about 5–10 minutes Drink it once or twice a day. That’s it. You don’t get bonus points for suffering. Cold water This one’s underrated. Throw spearmint in cold water, stick it in the fridge overnight, drink it the next day. Refreshing, easy, and perfect if hot tea sounds like a bad decision. Food Spearmint works well in salads, yogurt, sauces, fruit. It supports digestion while you eat, which I appreciate because multitasking is efficient. When spearmint might not be a great idea

Chocolate Mint Real name: Mentha × piperita ‘Chocolate’ Which sounds fancy and important, and then you smell it and go, “Oh… yeah, I get it.” First of all, no, it does not taste like a chocolate bar. I don’t know who started that rumor, but they hurt a lot of people. What it does smell like is mint with a soft cocoa note. Cozy. Comforting. Like mint that gives hugs. This is the mint you use when regular peppermint feels like it’s yelling at you. Chocolate mint is gentle. It’s the “let’s calm down” mint. The “maybe we don’t need to panic” mint. The mint you reach for when your stomach is doing that slow, dramatic flop after you ate something you absolutely knew better than to eat. I love it as a tea. You toss some leaves in hot water, walk away for a few minutes, come back feeling like a responsible adult who makes choices. It helps with digestion, bloating, stress, and that weird tight feeling you get when the day has been too much but you’re pretending you’re fine. It’s also great just to smell. Crush a leaf between your fingers, breathe it in, and suddenly the world feels slightly less stupid. You can throw it into iced tea, fruit, desserts, or water if you’re feeling fancy. It plays well with chocolate, berries, and anything that needs a fresh little lift without being slapped in the face by mint. Now, a warning because this plant is sweet but unhinged. Chocolate mint will take over your yard if you let it. It spreads like gossip. Always plant it in a pot unless you want to spend the rest of your life pulling mint and apologizing to your neighbors. I found that out myself..lol Also, if mint normally messes with your acid reflux, listen to your body. Herbs are helpers, not bullies. In short: Chocolate mint is calm. Chocolate mint is comforting. Chocolate mint minds its business. And honestly, we could all learn something from that. © Herbalism with Lori

Hi, I’m Lori, and I teach herbalism without yelling. This is a quiet space for learning about plants as they are. No miracle claims. No mystical backflips. Just herbs, context, and slow understanding. You don’t need experience. You don’t need special tools. You just need curiosity and a willingness to pay attention. If you want to introduce yourself, tell us: • a plant you already know • or one you’ve always wondered about Pull up a chair. The plants aren’t in a rush.