Most people are familiar with mint in the form of a tasty tidbit whether it be a breath freshner, toothpaste, candy or maybe even their favorite herbal tea.  However, once you know about some of the healing properties of mint you begin to understand that mint matters are so much important than a person realizes.  For a person who has seen or felt it’s healing power…they know the value of keeping pure mint oil on hand!

        For instance, did you know that mint (be it spearmint or peppermint) has anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-fungal, anti-spasmodic, anti-oxidant, anti-microbial, and is an analgesic?  That covers many ailments that a human being can experience.  Wow, can you think of any other product that has any kind of equal healing power in it?  It is amazing.  It also is a very tasty product and one that is fairly reasonable to purchase or to grow in your own backyard. 

        As some of my regular readers know, I supported a very special group of people who produce mint oil right here in Michigan.  It is the Crosby Mint Farm in St. Johns, Michigan.  It is a family owned business and it has just celebrated their 99 harvest of mint oil this past weekend.  My family and I got to go on a tour of the farm with some very dear friends of ours this past weekend.  What a joy to see this farm that is a source of healing power for so many people around the world. 

       There is Peppermint Jim and his sister Linette who are the owners/operators.   Both of whom are knowledgable and very genuine personalities.   They have a wonderous staff of mint aficionados.  Their small, on farm, store is stocked with products sure to please.  From candles, to body spritz, to honey subtly flavored with mint, to bath salts and various sizes of bottles of pure essential mint oils to choose from; a person could surely find a way to utilize the products that they produce.

         If you have followed their story you know that they struggled in the last few years with a foreclosure and “lost” their farm to an auction.  The farm’s motto is “expect miracles” and through a very interesting turn of events they were able to buy back most of the farm and their family’s home which is a huge part of their legacy of producing mint for 99 harvests.   Their faith and the support of customers, media and community have come full circle which is going to allow for a great celebration next year of their 100th harvest. 

        I have seen the healing power of the pure mint oil that they produce; as my very own mother was relieved of  painful shingle sores in her mouth that prevented her from speaking and eating normally, for a period of time last winter.  When medicines perscribed for her, by her physician, failed to give her relief…I recommended the mint oil.  She applied the mint oil and in a matter of a few days she was finally free from the pain and inflammation in her mouth around her tongue and gums.  It was miraculous.  It was well worth the small cost of the bottle of oil to see her out of the pain and discomfort she had been in.

       There is also the story on Peppermint Jim’s website about a medical mission team that went to Nigeria and helped over 800 people there with mint oil that was donated from the Crosby Mint Farm.  You should find that story here: http://www.peppermintjim.com/mint-oil-across-the-world/  That is powerful to me.  Now understand, this is pure mint oil not imitation oil.  This is oil produced by plants designed and put on the Earth by the master physician himself, God.  Why aren’t we using this valuable product more in medicinal ways to promote health and well-being; as opposed to manufactured medications that have so many harmful side-effects? 

         One of the big things that we heard alot during our day spent at the mint festival is how the Crosbys want to help people.  By producing the best quality oil, they can help people to live healthier and enjoy their lives more when they are using the oil to live with less pain, less infection, less inflammation and so much more. 

       I have to tell you that the people who work on the farm from Carol, to Lori and her sister Kelly, to all of the others we met this weekend at the mint festival; both on the farm and at the booth at the festival, they know their stuff.  We went on a wonderful tour and gained so much information that I could have spent a week there, just asking questions and absorbing knowledge from these wonderful people.   They were gracious and allowed us to take pictures with them. 

       Did you know that it takes 1 acre of plant material (mint), or 4 tons, to fill the distillery equipment to make a batch of oil; which can yield as much as 35-40 lbs.  This is produced without chemicals or pesticides…and in fact, the Crosby Mint Farm is proud of the farming practices that they use, which are earth friendly.

        An interesting day it was for myself and my family.  Our friends were just as thrilled with all that we learned.  We were priveledged to be present for the filming of a television interview with chanel 6 in Lansing, Michigan, which has been a strong supporter of this farms efforts to not only stay in business; but, to continue the legacy that was started so long ago by Peppermint Jim and his wonderful sister Linette’s great grandfather, J.E. Crosby, Sr; way back in 1912.

        If you would like to learn more about the Crosby Mint Farm or the products that they produce you can go to their website here:  http://crosbymintfarm.com/ .  If you go there, do yourself a favor and purchase some of their products…trust me you wont be sorry.  I don’t have an affiliate link to them or any of their products…I just believe in what they do and why they do it.  I really believe you will too once you’ve tried some of it!

       Not only did more than twice the number of dollars come in, but he also says that none of the donations was more than $100 and it came from every day people…not from huge wealthy donors.   In my earlier post I said that if a mega church like his was hurting then surely we all knew that smaller ones all around the world were in the same situation.  The results of his letter with the plea is nothing short of a miracle and of his church members committment and dedication.  Congratulations to them for being obedient to the call from their pastor.

       This is also and encouragement at the beginning of a new year for every other church out there that is struggling…hang in there and be bold and strong in your belief that God is in control and obedience to God’s word is a big part of the equasion.  Blessings!

See previous post here:  http://www.writewhereyouareblog.com/ministering-to-the-needy-when-churches-struggle/