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Mints are sobering and clear headed herbs, aloof, even. In mythology they are said to have descended from Mentha, a nymph, who had succumbed to Pluto's passion. His jealous wife Persephone (or, according to some accounts, her mother Demeter), disgusted and enraged, stomped the poor nymph into the ground and punished her with infertility. A hybrid between common Garden Mint and Watermint, Peppermint is indeed sterile. She reproduces by means of creeping rhizomes - though rather prolifically at that. Peppermint has been used for food and medicine for many millennia. From China to Egypt, evidence of its use goes back thousands of years. It is still a popular herbal home remedy and provides flavoring for dozens of products from chewing gum to chocolate and cigarettes to name but a few. Creepy crawlies such as mice, rats, cockroaches and ants detest the scent. Planting Peppermint in the garden, sprinkling it in the cupboards or on their pathways will surely deter them.

Medicinal
Peppermint is mostly used as a digestive aid. It can ease nausea and travel sickness and relieve cramps and colic. It soothes PMS related symptoms such as bloating or abdominal pains. It is also used to decongest the upper respiratory tract and as a steam inhalation it can help clear stuffiness, catarrh and sinus headaches, sinusitis and bronchitis. Peppermint is calming and relaxing. It soothes an agitated nervous system and dispels anxiety and fears. It aids neuralgia and rheumatic pains, strengthens the nerves and tones the entire system. Do not use during pregnancy.

Magical
All Mints are said to act as aphrodisiacs and can be used in various love charms and potions. Peppermint clears the mind and aids concentration and helps focusing on one's intent. It is protective against evil spirits and wards off the demons of disease. Peppermint is very cleansing and can help clear the air of lingering emotions and irrational fears or attachments.

These are hand carved Tagua Pipes from Ecuador

Tagua nuts are obtained from Phytelephas equatorials (elephant palm), an Amazonian palm tree. When they are dry, the hard, white tagua seeds look like ivory. As the character, density and color of the seeds resemble that of ivory, the palm is referred to as elephant palm. In Ecuador, tagua seeds are made use of to skillfully carve designs. These seeds can be polished just as ivory is polished.

Local people collect the pods without causing any damage to the trees. This type of sustainable harvesting may be done on a semi-annual basis for as many as 40 years. Tagua is a cash crop and the person engaged in the collection of tagua seeds earns more per acre than what he or she can earn if the same land is used for other farming purposes. When consumers purchase tagua, they are actually encouraging good utilization of land and forest management.

These Classic Tagua Pipes are 100 percent organic and are hand crafted by local artisans in Ecuador. When you use tagua pipes, you get the real taste of what you are smoking.

The top of the nut is carved into the shape of a bowl and an inner passage through the nut is provided up to the mouthpiece. The wooden part of the pipe is made from Chonta wood. The Incas used this hard wood for making shields and weapons.