By Edith Igbokwe
The most common and popular mints for growing are peppermint (Mentha piperita), native spearmint (Mentha spicata), Scotch spearmint (Mentha gracilis), and cornmint (Mentha arvensis); also (more recently) apple mint (Mentha suaveolens).
Mint grows natively on all continents except Antarctica. Peppermint and spearmint are likely the most commonly used mint varieties, but many others exist, such as wild mint and water mint.
There are many varieties of the mint plant, and most fall under the genus Mentha. Because mint plants spread quickly, gardeners tend to grow them in containers. When planted directly into the ground, they can become invasive and take over a garden.
Some plants referred to as “mint” also fall under the genus Monarda. Both Mentha and Monarda genuses are within the same family, called Lamiaceae. Monarda mints include horsemint, catmint, and stonemint.
All varieties of mint leaves may be used fresh, in dried herb form, brewed as a tea, or concentrated in an essential oil.
Mint provides most of our commonculinary herbs (e.g., basil, oregano, marjoram, rosemary, sage, thyme, summer and winter savories).
Plus, there are dozens (perhaps hundreds) of traditional medicinal herbs, not to mention many aromatics for use in flavorings, perfumes, and cosmetics.
Many, if not most mint-family members, contain strongly aromatic oils (think lavender, rosemary, basil, thyme, and sage), which account for their many uses as seasoning, flavoring, and perfuming agents.
Uses for Mint Leaves
There are many safe uses for mint-family herbs besides beautifying your gardens. Here is just a sampling:
Food: The peppermints are especially good culinary mints, ideal for chopping into salads, sprinkling over fruits or combining with basil or cilantro to make mint pesto. We like to add a couple tablespoons of fresh chopped mint to peas, green beans, carrots, cauliflower, or zucchini to create a minted vegetables.
Drinks: Freeze a few trays of strong mint tea, then use the ice cubes for cooling summer drinks, add mint leaves or cubes to mojitos, iced tea, or fresh lemonade.
Tea: Why buy mint tea when it’s so easy to make? What we usually call the “mints” (peppermint, spearmint, apple mint, etc.) are traditional tea herbs. Just steep your fresh mint leaves in boiling water for about five minutes and serve. It’s a great digestive aid after dinner. Apple mint is one of my favorites with more mint flavor and less aftertaste.
Hair rinse: Add one part strong mint (especially rosemary) tea to one part cider vinegar for a conditioning rinse you can either leave in or rinse out. The vinegary smell dissipates after drying.
Facial astringent: Add a few finely minced leaves of fresh peppermint or other mint to a cup of witch hazel. Store in a glass jar for a week or more, shaking occasionally. Strain the herbs from the mixture after a week.
Mouthwash: Chop a quarter cup of fresh mint, bee-balm, lemon balm, basil, thyme, or oregano leaves and infuse in a quart of boiling water. When cool, strain the herbs and store in the refrigerator.
Mint bath. Steep a handful of mint leaves in a pint of hot water for about ten minutes, then strain. Add to bath water for an invigorating, stress-free soak.
Ease sunburn pain: Make a strong peppermint tea and refrigerating the mixture for several hours. To use, gently apply to the burned area with cotton pads.
Breath freshener: Just chew on a few mint leaves, Sage teas and extracts have been used for centuries as a mouthwash for oral infections.
Don’t use chew mint-family herbs if you’re breastfeeding, as even small amounts or sage and peppermint may reduce milk supply.
Scent up a space: Keep your home smelling fresh by adding a few drops of mint essential oil to your favorite unscented cleaner or just take a cotton ball and dap onto a light bulb.
Moth repellent/scented sachet: Tie a few branches of strongly scented mint (peppermint, sage, lavender, rosemary, bee-balm) together, or pull off a handful of leaves, and stuff them into the leg of an old nylon stocking. Suspend by a string inside a garment bag, tuck into bags of stored woolen clothing, or just place in your drawers to let your clothes soak up the scent. Refresh periodically to keep the scent fresh.
Bug repellent: When ants come into the kitchen during the summer, place a few stems of mint, gently crushed, near suspected entry points really does deter ants. You need to replace the mint with fresh material every few days. Also, keep pets flea-free by stuffing a small pillow with fresh spearmint and thyme and placing near your pet’s bed.
Of course, mint isn’t only used to deter bugs; it also attracts the beneficial insects. Bees and butterflies and hover flies love mint, which is rich in nectar and pollen, and this benefits pollinated plants and crops.
Medicinal Use of Mint Plants
Mint has been long known as an herbal remedy, easing queasy stomachs, calming stress and anxiety, and promoting restful sleep.
Peppermint tea has long been viewed as an excellent way to ease an upset stomach, calming the digestive tract and alleviating indigestion, gas, and cramps.
Brain Health:Consuming mint might promote brain health. One study found mint extracts have potential to treat Alzheimer’s symptoms, although more research is needed. Another study found that smelling peppermint could enhance memory and increase alertness, although it’s unknown if ingesting it has similar effects.
Treats asthma: Mint leaves possesses relaxant properties and is considered to be extremely useful for asthma patients as it relieves congestion in the nasal pipe. However, the quantity and frequency of mint usage needs to be kept in check as excess use might lead to irritation in the nose and stomach.
Mint for liver: Mint is known to effectively boot the performance of the liver. Owing to the presence of nutritional essential oils and properties such as relaxing and soothing, mint is a highly beneficial herb to enhance the liver strength.
Mint helps in cancer prevention: Research has suggested that certain active enzymes present in mint are equipped with the ability to prevent and cure cancer.
Mint has also been used for centuries in traditional medicine. Many, perhaps most, are also being uses for human and veterinary medicine, as insecticides or insect repellents, and as antifungal or antibacterial protection for crop plants.
Mints are potent plants, full of phytocompounds that plants manufacture to protect themselves against harmful bacteria, viruses, and other assaults from the environments they evolved in.
Interestingly, there are studies that show spearmint is even beneficial to honeybees by cleaning out the mites that infect their hives.
Use With Caution
If herbal medicine interests you, please approach the mints, especially their essential oils, tinctures, and concentrated extracts, with care. This goes for both over-the-counter and homemade remedies.
Although many have been used by traditional healers around the world for centuries, most herbs haven’t undergone rigorous testing for safety and efficacy, especially in pregnant/nursing women, children, elders, and people with chronic illnesses.
Seek out as much information as you can from books, online sources, and experienced herbalists in your area. Inform your healthcare practitioner whenever you begin using an herbal remedy.
Side-Effects & Allergies of Mint
In individuals with a gall stone disorder history, mint should be consumed only after careful consultation with a trained medical practitioner.
Same goes for pregnant ladies as it has rarely been seen to trigger a miscarriage. Excess dosage of mint is advised against as large quantity of menthol consumption is neither healthy nor advisable.
