Mint – (Mentha)
Native to Europe and Asia. Some forms to North and South America, South Africa, and Australia. And naturalized from southern Canada to Mexico.
The word comes from (Minthe) a Greek nymph misfortunately loved by Pluto. Persephone being a bit put out by Pluto’s Roving eye, changed Minthe into a plant. Pluto, softened Persephone’s Blow by making her fragrant and even more aromatic when tread upon.
In Biblical times taxes were Paid with mint.
Zeus and Hermes, traveling incognito and snubbed by villagers sat down at table Laid by Philemon and Baucis. They rubbed the table with mint before serving a meal to these two Gods, and thus Mint became a symbol of hospitality.
Peppermint and spearmint brought to the New World by the colonists to be used as a beverage and as a medicinal. have many uses medicinal, culinary, aromatic, ornamental, and cosmetic.
Menthol gives mint Its typical smell and taste. Mint has so many uses that it would be hard to find someone who couldn’t use it. Here is one medicinal use for Mint that tastes good, too.
For all herbs, fresh is best. Dried or frozen are good choices also. It can be stored in oil or vinegar.
This syrup is a way to preserve peppermint:
- Simmer 4 cups of peppermint for 30 minutes in just enough water to cover.
- Strain.
- For each cup of liquid add a cup of sugar, and simmer for 15 minutes.
- Bottle, label, and date. Can also be frozen in convenient portions.
Types of Mint
Peppermint is the most effective mint medicinally . It is the source for menthol. Menthol acts by stimulating the flow of bile to the stomach, It Aides digestion. And acts as an antispasmodic, calming the action of muscles.
Begin harvesting as soon as it comes up in spring. The main harvest should be taken as flowering begins.
Orange Mint is also referred to as eau-de-cologne mint and bergamot mint. It has distinct flavor and fragrance. It makes wonderful punch, tea, or potpourri. This mint is Valued for use in cosmetics and perfumes. It makes a refreshing bath Soak .
Spearmint is a culinary mint with Many Possible Uses .
It has a milder flavor than peppermint. It goes well with meat, fish, and veggie dishes, also with veal, eggplant, white beans, black beans, lentils, tabouli, fruit salad, and in beverages. It can be used as a condiment for lamb ,as in mint jelly or Mint sauces and used in candy, and chocolate.
You can also Stuff spearmint leaves and garlic beneath the skin of roast lamb, add Mint to split pea soup using the dried leaves. For an after dinner Treat press the leaves and coat them with chocolate for After dinner mints.
Resources :
- The Herb Book ~ By John Lust
- Wyman’s Gardening Encyclopedia ~By Donald Wyman
- The Herbalist ~By Joseph Myer
- A Field Guide To Edible Wild Plants ~By Lee Allen Peterson
- Manual of Mythology ~By Alexander S Murray
- Family And Friends
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