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The Mint Family – Uses of MintsMints are not Just for After Dinner

By Linda L. Hein withadditions by Jeanne Rose

In the first century A.D., the naturalist Pliny wrote "The smell of mint stirs up the mind and appetite to a greedy desire of food."**Plinie's Natural History First Century AD. Translated by Philemon Holland.). He recommended binding the head in a crown of int, which delights the soul and is good for the mind. Pliny, along with Hippocrates and Aristotle judged it 'contrary to procreation',hile the Greeks were of the opposite opinion: they forbade their soldiers to eat mint because it so incites a man to love,minishing his courage. It was found that the Greeks, not Pliny, have been shown to be correct.

In the Middle Ages, Charlemagne wrote in his Capitularies that mint was to be specially cultivated for itserapeutic qualities.

In the 17th century, wild mint or Spearmint took a foothold in what is now Great Britain. Found growing in the wild, it was first

ultivated in 1750, spreading to the continent in 1770. The English herbalist Culpeper prescribed the herb as a 'great strengthener f the stomach.'

During the 1880s, English herbalists and doctors alike used mint in special Family Dispensatory Chests, which contained 'thoserugs and herbs with which one person, at least, in every village ought to be provided.'

Even in modern times, the mints have been used in first aid kits. During World War I, a resurgence of herbal healing beganhen other more traditional drugs were in short supply. The main herbs used were garlic, lily-of-the-valley, sphagnum mossnd mint.

Many Herbal Courses and a variety of books discuss the subject of the various Mints that are available. They have 2-mainses: Spearmint as a tasty aromatic in herbal tea and the essential oil in perfumery and to refresh scents; and Peppermint as aoothing digestive to ease gut pain and an aromatic in flatulence; the essential oil of Peppermint is very useful in a Travel Kit andn inhalant or application for pain.

arieties of MintAs stated earlier, there are over 650 species found throughout the temperate regions of the planet. The main varieties are:

pearmint (Mentha spicata)

Brought to the New World by colonists, it has a light flavor, without the bite of enthol. It has sharply pointed, toothed, lance-shaped leaves, and is one of the most

ommon garden mints. It is also sometimes listed as Mentha viridis.

"The essential oil is composed of l-Carvone up to 56%, Terpenes, Limonene,hellandrene and sometimes Linaloöl and Cineol. It is an anti-inflammatory, calming,ucolytic, and a tonic for the digestive system. It has a wonderful ability, whenhaled, to create a feeling of joy and happiness and therefore makes an excellentddition to stress relief blends. It is indicated for all sorts of respiratory problems andhronic bronchitis."* [See The Aromatherapy Studies Course and the Certification

Weekend for more chemistry information]

Peppermint (Mentha x Piperita)

Considered a hybrid of Spearmint and Watermint (M. aquatica), it hasronounced flavor and is the classic source of mint essential oil. It has longer leavesan that of Spearmint, with purple stems. It has a rampant growth rate.

Imagine the refreshing odor...

"Its essential oil contains up to 48% Menthol, up to 30% Menthone with other constituents including Cineol and Pulegone.here are many chemotypes and strains of Peppermint and classification and identification can be difficult. Its properties areooling, viricide, tonic and stimulant, particularly to the heart, brain and pancreas. It has hormone-like properties that may regulatevarian hormones. Use of the essential oil is indicated for insufficient liver or pancreas juices, flatulence and belching, headachend migraine, nerve pain and purulent eczema. It is a very good disinfectant for the air for seriously ill patients with AIDS, senilityr those with high fever. For gas in the stomach, whether human or pets, one drop in half a glass of water, sipped slowly will doe trick. Peppermint oil diffused will cool any room, even if it is very hot."* (*Guide to [325] Essential Oils, by Jeanne Rose)

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afety Precautionss in any form of complementary therapy, there are some points in which caution is needed, which are:

•Dilute essential oils before use.• Keep essential oils out of your eyes.•Don't use mint oils at night, it may promote insomnia•Avoid using mint oils with homeopathic remedies; all mint is considered an antidote

ydrosol UsesSoothing to the skin and energizine and cooling as a drink. More uses are listed in the new book, Hydrosols &

romatic Waters.

ulinary Uses

Mint has been used extensively in preparation of foods throughout the world. Though seldom cooked, mint can be used toake teas, jellies, candies and gums. In the Middle East, mint leaves are added to salads, which makes it more flavorful, as well

s adds high concentrations of vitamins A, C and carotene. Mint sauce is the basic accompaniment to roast lamb and veal, and isaid to help in the digestion of the crude albuminous fibers of these immature meats.ee The Herbal Guide to Food for more uses.]

Other UsesMints are used commercially in a wide variety of ways, which include:

everagesSpearmint is added to commercial teas and soft drinks to add flavor.

ental Care ProductsAll mint is extensively used to flavor toothpastes and polishes, as well as gums and mouthwashes. It is used both to mask any

npleasant flavors, or as an antiseptic in such preparations.

eodorantsWild mint is still used by Native Americans as both a deodorant and perfume.

rugsPeppermint is used to mask the taste of nausea-causing drugs.

est ControlThe pennyroyal (Mentha pulegium) produces a substance named pulegone, which has been used for centuries to dispel rates,

nts, fleas, mosquitoes as well as other insects.

Working EnvironmentsTests in both Japan and the United States confirm that the introduction of mint essence into the atmosphere helps to increase

orker proficiency, reduces the percentage of errors caused by workers, keeps workers more alert and improves performance of outine tasks.

onclusion

As we can plainly see, mint is an extremely important substance in the use of aromatherapy. Its historical use of over 3000ears helps to support the health claims associated with its uses. It is a versatile, lively plant that can be found practically on your oorstep, and should not be overlooked when searching for natural remedies.

ources:

Jeanne Rose Aromatherapywww.jeannerose.net; email at [email protected]

219 Carl St. San Francisco, CA 94117. PH 415-564-6785First Aid Kits containing therapeutic quality

essential oils for a variety of uses. A source for pure essential oils as well.

Write for information about AROMAtherapy 2037 Newsletter.

Herb Products 11012 Magnolia Blvd. North Hollywood, CA 91601

Herbs, oils and other items. Reasonable prices, wonderful company.Herbs, books, oils and bottles to package yourown products and original medicinal tea blends.

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Prima Fleur Botanicalswww.primafleur.com

Wholesale essential oils.Extensive line of oils available for

businesses and product lines.Must meet minimum order requirements.

ibliography:

rancesco Bianchini, Health Plants of the World (Newsweek Books, 1977)homas Eisner, Rare Mint Patch Makes Ideal Picnic Spot (Science News, January 20, 1990)uell Gibbons, Stalking the Healthful Herbs (David McKay Company, 1966)arbara Griggs, Green Pharmacy, A History of Herbal Medicine (Viking Press, 1981)eff Hunter, Ways With Peppermint (Countryside & Small Stock Journal, May/June 1991)arla Kallan, Probing the Power of Common Scents (Prevention, October 1991)elly Kindscher, Medicinal Wild Plants of the Prairie (University Press of Kansas, 1992)iny, Plinie's Natural History First Century AD. Translated by Philemon Holland.eyer, Scott Garden Apothecary: Grow these Herbs for Relief Outside Your Door (Organic Gardening, January 1990)harles F. Millspaugh, American Medicinal Plants (Dover Publications, 1974)arl Mindell, Earl Mindell's Herb Bible (Simon & Schuster, 1992)ean Palaiseul, Grandmother's Secrets - Her Green Guide to Health from Plants (G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 1973)eanne Rose, Kitchen Cosmetics, (North Atlantic Books, 1990)325 Essential Oil AND Hydrosols, (Herbal Studies Library, 1994)

*This book was used for essential oil information for the descriptions of the essential oils, including components, of the variousints.

The Aromatherapy Book: Applications & Inhalations (North Atlantic Books: 1994)ROMATIC NEWS, Summer 1992, (The Herbal Rose Report)eannine Parvati, Hygieia : A Woman's Herbal (Freestone Collective, 1978)odale's Illustrated Encyclopedia of Herbs (Rodale Press, 1987)on J. Rombough, Grow a Multitude of Mints (Organic Gardening, March 1993)anielle Ryman, Aromatherapy, The Complete Guide to Plant and Flower Essences for Health and Beauty

Bantam Books, 1992)obert Tisserand, The Art of Aromatherapy (Healing Art Press, 1977)alerie Worwood, The Complete Book of Essential Oils and Aromatherapy (New World Library, 1991)

uthor:nda Hein • 3053 Rohrer Rd. • Wadsworth, OH 44281

All rights reserved 2007. No part of this article maybe used without the prior permission of Jeanne Rose.

© Authors Copyright Jeanne Rosehttp://www.jeannerose.net • [email protected]

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