Recreation, pleasure and repose, where feasts and banquets are made...

In the Garden | Culinary | Fragrance | Medicinal use | Related articles

Popular Garden Varieties ...

Related articles

• Many faces of mint
  

  
  Top

  In the Garden

  Growth Characteristics:

  • Perennial, Dormant in Winter,
  • Most varieties: Height: ±60 cm; Spread: If allowed, will become invasive,
  • Pennyroyal: Groundcover with soft Purple flowers, up to 30cm,
  • Lawn Pennyroyal and Corsican Mint: Low growing groundcover,±2cm. Ideal to use between stepping stones,
  • Plant Mint in containers or dedicated areas, where the growth is restricted,
  • Frequent pruning forces lateral branching and healthier plants,

  Cultivation:

  • Full sun; Well drained, composted soil,

     

  Harvesting:

  • Pick fresh leaves throughout the year,

     

  Companion Planting:

  • Vegetables: Plant with Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Squash, Tomato,
  • Herbs: Plant with Chamomile,
  • Do not plant with: Parsley,
  • Attracting Beneficial insects: Hoverfly, Wasps, Other,

  Repellant for:

  Ants, Aphids, Cabbage maggot, Cabbage moth, Flea beetle, Potato beetle,

  Top

  Culinary use

  Use the following Mint varieties:

  Apple Mint, Black Peppermint, Chocalate Mint, Garden Mint, Mint Julep, Pineapple Mint, Spearmint,

  • Beans, Cabbage, Carrots, Peas, Potatoes, Salads, Fruit Salads,
  • Beef, Lamb,
  • Drinks, Homemade lemonade,
  • In brownie batter or sugar cookie dough, Desserts, Jellies, Mint Sauce, Salad Dressing, Sauces, Sorbet, Vinegars,
  • Line a pretty bowl with whole fresh mint leaves and fill it with strawberries or melon balls,
  • Mint Tea: Especially chocolate, apple, peppermint, spearmint,
  • Add Chocolate mint to Filter coffee for a great tasting indulgence,
  • Garnish to vegetables,
  • Middle Eastern dishes such as tabouleh.

  Recipes:

  • Mint Julep Punch
  • Fresh Mint ice-cream
    

  Top

  Fragrance

  • Eau-de-cologne mint makes an interesting addition to potpourris and herbal sachets,
  • Add Mints to bathwater for an invigorating bath,

  Top

  Medicinal use

  Mint may be beneficial in the following cases:
  Black Peppermint and Garden mint is the most popular to use for medicinal purposes,

  General	Extracts of many members of the mint family (Lamiaceae) have considerable antioxidant activity due to the presence of phenolic acids such as rosmarinic acid. Gingivitis (periodontal disease),
  Metabolism	Fatigue,
  Nervous System	Tension headaches, and where migraine is associated with digestion, As a Nervine it eases anxiety and tension, ADD, ADHD, Fainting, dizziness,
  Skin	Relieves pain and reduces sensitivity, Relieves itching and inflammation when applied topically,
  Respiratory System	Has a calming effect on the body and can help soothe a nagging cough, Diaphoretic (induce increased respiration), and helpful with colds, Temporary treatment for nasal catarrh as an inhalant,
  Liver	Stimulates bile secretion, Of value in gall bladder disease,
  Digestive system	Digestive tonic, Anti-spasmodic: as a tea for settling an upset stomach, heartburn, stomachache, indigestion, colic, flatulence, Slightly anesthetizes mucous membranes and the gastrointestinal tract, Plays a role in treatment of Ulcerative colitis, Diverticulitis and Chrohn's disease, Diarhoea, Stimulates digestive juice secretion, Poor appetite, Prevents Nausea and vomiting, Travel sickness, Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS),
  Reproductive System	In painful periods it relieves the pain and ease tension,

   

  Preparation and dosage:

  TEA:

  • 2-3 Cups daily,

  TINCTURE:

  • 2 ml after meals,

  CONTRAINDICATION:

  • Pregnancy, Anxiety neurosis, Nervous excitability,

  Top