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Photo by Karen Bergeron
Copyright 2000
Photo by Deb Jackson
Copyright 2000
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Spearmint
Mentha spicata
Other Names: Garden Mint, Menthol Mint, Mint, Sage Of
Bethlehem, Silver Mint, Spear Mint
Habitat
Perennial herb native to
Central Europe now naturalized throughout the U.S. and Canada. Found growing on roadsides
and in waste places, usually in damp soils and sunny positions. Cultivation: Spearmint is
easily grown, it succeeds in most soils and situations so long as the soil is not too dry.
Prefers a sunny position for production of essential oils, but it also succeeds in partial
shade. Division can be easily done at almost any time of the year. A matted creeping root
system, sends up erect, square stems to about 2 feet high. The leaves are short-stalked,
lance-shaped, wrinkled, and bright green, with finely serrate edges. The small flowers are
arranged in whorls or rings on spikes in the axils of the upper leaves, pinkish or lilac
in color, flowers bloom in late June through August. Gather the above ground plant when
first starting to bloom, the stalks should be cut a few inches above the root, on a dry
day, after the dew has disappeared, and before the hot sun has taken any oil from the
leaves, and dried for later herb use.
Properties
Spearmint is edible and Medicinal, the
leaves and flowers are edible raw or cooked. A strong flavor, they are used in salads or
added to cooked foods. A medicinal herb tea made from the fresh or dried leaves has a very
pleasant and refreshing taste, leaving the mouth and digestive system feeling clean. Also
great for mint jelly, an old favorite. |
| The proven medicinal constituents in spearmint are
1,8-cineole, acetic-acid, acetophenone, alpha-pinene, alpha-terpineol, apigenin,
arginine, benzaldehyde, benzyl-alcohol, beta-carotene, beta-sitosterol, borneol, calcium,
carvacrol, carvone, caryophyllene, diosmin, ethanol, eugenol, farnesol, geraniol,
hesperidin,
limonene, luteolin, menthol, methionine, niacin, oleanolic-acid, perillyl-alcohol,
pulegone, rosmarinic-acid, terpinen-4-ol, thiamin, thymol, tryptophan, ursolic-acid, and
many vitamins and minerals. An essential oil from the leaves and flowers is used as a
flavoring in candy, gum, ice cream, drinks and commercially prepared hygen products
(toothpaste, mouthwash, etc). Spearmint has been used as an alternative medicine for
centuries on many different continents. It is antiemetic, antiseptic, antispasmodic,
carminative, diuretic, restorative, stimulant, stomachic and tonic. The medicinal herb tea
made from the leaves is used in the treatment of fevers, bronchitis, chills, cramps,
chronic gastritis, common cold, headaches, indigestion, morning sickness, motion sickness,
nasal congestion, nausea, halitosis, painful menstruation, and various minor ailments.
Externally the stems are crushed and used as a medicinal poultice on bruises. The
essential oil in the leaves, is a great rub for stiffness, muscle soreness and rheumatism,
the oil also a powerful antiseptic and should not be taken in large doses. Futher research
is proving the plant to be of use in many diseases.
Folklore
Both the essential oil and the stems are used in
folk remedies for cancer. A poultice prepared from the leaves is said to remedy tumours.
The plant repels insects, rats, mice and was formerly used as for strewing (thrown about).
Recipe
Easy Mint Jelly: Steep a handful of mint leaves in one of
the various kinds of sweetened gelatin. The jelly should be a delicate shade of green and
make about a pint of jelly. Some like to strain the liquid through a cheese cloth to
remove all particles of mint before allowing to set, I kinda like the little green specks.
Article by Deb Jackson & Karen
Bergeron
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St. John's Wort |
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