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!

         Memories are important…and while this child does not and will not remember his birthday…he will associate his life with his mother’s death at some point in the future.  It is important for those around him to tell him how much his mother wanted him, loved him and looked forward to being his parent.  But just as important for his well being, is to teach him to love life, to honor the gift of his life and to live his life in a way that celebrates the life that his mother was able to give him; living in joy and purpose.  It will be harder on those who knew his mother, who lost her and who grieve the loss of her life  at the hands of someone who either cared less about it, or was ill enough to take the life of another, simply to meet her own wants and desires.  They will definately be grieving ,while at the same time trying to raise this child in love.

         So, it will be very important that the child’s grandparents, friends and other family members are careful in how they present the facts to him as he grows up.  The memories that they share will him about his mother must be handled carefully so that he doesn’t grow up feeling like he needs to apologize for living and breathing, and feeling guilty for living when his mother has lost her life.  It was not his fault that another human being killed his mother to get him.   He has to know, when he is capable of understanding, that evil exists in the world, sickness exists in the world…but it doesn’t have to destroy him  or scar who he becomes  because evil touched his life at the very beginning.  The best revenge is to live a life that is full of purpose, passion and praise for all things good and beautiful.

          Sorting through the memories and giving the good to this child is going to be one of the most powerful things that they can do for him and his mother.  They will be the conduit through which he comes to know his mother and her love for him.    Sorting through the memories and discarding those which will cause him harm or excessive pain will be important too.  There are some details that he should not grow up knowing.  He should not be exposed to the horrible way in which his mother died.   She would want him to grow and experience all the best that life has to offer. 

          We all grow up with what we know to be true; which helps us to form our basic personality and approach to life.  If he can grow up to be an emotionally healthy person who lives surrounded with love he can have something close to the life that I am sure his mother wanted for him to have.    I know that as he celebrated his first birthday…his loved ones also mourned the loss of his mother.  I feel strongly for them.  On the other hand, it is a gift that she left them; her son lives…and through him…they still have a part of her.   Happy Birthday little man…I hope you have lots of happy birthdays.   May they have a loving, healthy life together!