A mint lassi is a combination of yogurt and mint — flavored with a bit of sweetener and — blended into a smooth and refreshing drink, this recipe is a little more savory than you may be used to. Mint lassis have great flavor, but they also have tremendous power to cool, both against high temperatures outside and any heated feelings. Try a mint lassi to cool off on a hot afternoon, or you can even start a hot day off with one at breakfast and enjoy it as more of a smoothie. You will be shocked at how refreshing this is.
Eastern View: Mint calms the stomach! It is packed with antioxidants and phytonutrients that do wonders for your stomach. The menthol present in mint helps the enzymes necessary for digestion and helps the process along, by acting on the smooth muscles of the stomach. The aroma of mint activates the salivary glands and the glands that produce digestive enzymes. As a result, our digestion becomes better.
A refreshing mint scent is a powerful medicine to treat nausea. Smelling mint oil or fresh mint leaves relieves or reduces nausea. Mint has a very strong aroma which helps open up the airways and allows for relaxed breathing, so great for any kind of asthma. It is also an expectorant and helps the expulsion of phlegm and mucus.
Mint also has anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties which help relieve inflammation along the respiratory tract. The use of mint on a regular basis can help people with asthma because it can provide relaxation and help relieve tightened airways which is a often a Vata problem.
Mint being pitta pacifying, soothes and calms itchy and infected skin. It has potent anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties which do wonders for acne prone skin. The strong antioxidants present in mint actually leaves the skin with a natural glow and rehydrates dull and dry skin. Mint has a high content of salicylic acid which helps prevent pimples, blemishes and even helps get rid of blackheads. The compounds present in mint help in faster shedding of dull and dry skin. This helps avoid clogging of pores, resulting in pimple free skin.
Western View: Mint leaves are packed with nutrients such as calcium, phosphorus, vitamin C, D, E and small amounts of vitamin B complex. All these compounds put together improve the body’s immune system, providing resistance for infections and inflammation.
Mint has a potent phytochemical that can prevent various types of cancers. Called perillyl alcohol, the phytonutrient has shown the capability of preventing skin cancer, colon cancer and lung cancer in animal studies.
Aside from all the other health benefits of mint, it also can help in your efforts to lose weight in a healthy way! Mint is a stimulant, and stimulates the digestive system to help absorb nutrients from food, consume fat and turn it into usable energy. Therefore, by adding mint to your diet, you are increasing the amount of fat that is being consumed and put to use, rather than being stored and contributing to your weight gain!
The potassium contents present in the mint leaves help to lower down blood pressure and also regulate the pulse rate. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, consuming mint regularly may help to lower your blood pressure, although the evidence according to them is still very preliminary.
Mint Lassi
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- Dash of black pepper
- 1 cup plain yogurt
- 1/2 cup loosely packed fresh mint leaves
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups water
Directions:
- In a skillet, dry roast cumin and black pepper.
- Stir frequently, until the aroma is released.
- Combine cumin and pepper, along with all the other ingredients, into a blender.
- Mix at high speed until the mint leaves are well blended.
- Serve and enjoy.
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In health,
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