Mentha - Revision history

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{{Taxobox
| color = Lightgreen
| name = ''Mentha''
| image = Mentha longifolia 2005.08.02 09.53.56.jpg
| image_width = 240px
| image_caption = ''Mentha longifolia''
| regnum = [[Plant]]ae
| divisio = [[flowering plant|Magnoliophyta]]
| classis = [[dicotyledon|Magnoliopsida]]
| ordo = [[Lamiales]]
| familia = [[Lamiaceae]]
| genus = '''''Mentha'''''
| genus_authority = [[Carolus Linnaeus|L.]]
| subdivision_ranks = Species
| subdivision = See text
}}
[[Image:Mint leaves.jpg|thumb|right|Mint Leaves]]
[[Image:MintPlant.jpg|thumb|right|[[Peppermint|Chocolate Mint]] (also known as Peppermint]]

'''''Mentha''''' ('''mint''') is a [[genus]] of about 25-30 [[species]] of [[flowering plant]]s in the [[Family (biology)|family]] [[Lamiaceae]], with a [[cosmopolitan distribution|subcosmopolitan]] distribution, seven from [[Australia]], one in [[North America]], and the others from [[Europe]] and [[Asia]]; several [[hybrid]]s also occur.

According to [[Greek mythology]], the plant was named after [[Minthe]].

They are aromatic [[perennial plant|perennial]] [[herb]]s, growing to 10-120 cm tall, with wide-spreading underground [[rhizome]]s and erect, branched stems. The [[leaf|leaves]] are arranged in opposite pairs, simple oblong to lanceolate, often downy, and with a serrated margin. The [[flower]]s are produced in clusters ('verticils') on an erect spike, white to purple, the corolla two-lipped with four subequal lobes, the upper lobe usually the largest. The [[fruit]] is a small dry [[capsule (fruit)|capsule]] containing 1-4 [[seed]]s.

;Species
*''[[Mentha aquatica]]'' – [[Water mint]], or '''Marsh mint'''
*''[[Mentha arvensis]]'' – '''Corn Mint''', '''Wild Mint''' and '''Japanese Peppermint'''
*''[[Mentha arvensis var. sachalinensis]]" - ''Sachalin Mint'''
*''[[Mentha asiatica]]''
*''[[Mentha australis]]''
*''[[Mentha canadensis]]'' (syn. ''M. arvensis'' var. ''canadensis'')
*''[[Mentha cervina]]''
*''[[Mentha citrata]]'' (syn. ''M. odorata'') – [[Bergamot mint]] (smells like [[Bergamot (herb)|Bergamot]])
*''[[Mentha crispata]]''
*''[[Mentha cunninghamii]]''
*''[[Mentha dahurica]]''
*''[[Mentha diemenica]]''
*''[[Mentha gattefossei]]''
*''[[Mentha grandiflora]]''
*''[[Mentha haplocalyx]]''
*''[[Mentha japonica]]''
*''[[Mentha kopetdaghensis]]''
*''[[Mentha laxiflora]]''
*''[[Mentha longifolia]]'' - '''Horse Mint'''
*''[[Mentha pulegium]]'' – [[Pennyroyal]]
*''[[Mentha requienii]]'' – '''Corsican mint'''
*''[[Mentha sachalinensis]]''
*''[[Mentha satureioides]]''
*''[[Mentha spicata]]'' (syn. ''M. viridis'') – [[Spearmint]], Curly mint
*''[[Mentha suaveolens]]'' (syn. ''M. rotundifolia'') – [[Apple mint]] (smells like [[apple]]s) and [[Pineapple mint]] (a variegated cultivar of Apple mint)
*''[[Mentha vagans]]''

;Selected hybrids
*''Mentha × dalmatica'' (''M. arvensis'' × ''M. longifolia'')
*''Mentha × dumetorum'' (''M. aquatica'' × ''M. longifolia'')
*''Mentha × gracilis'' (''M. arvensis'' × ''M. spicata'') - Bushy Mint
*''Mentha × maximilianea'' (''M. aquatica'' × ''M. suaveolens'')
*''Mentha × muelleriana'' (''M. arvensis'' × ''M. suaveolens'')
*''[[Mentha × piperita]]'' (''M. aquatica'' × ''M. spicata'') – [[Peppermint]], also called Chocolate mint
*''Mentha × rotundifolia'' (''M. longifolia'' × ''M. suaveolens'') - False Apple-mint
*''Mentha x smithiana'' (''M. aquatica'' × ''M. arvensis'' × ''M. spicata'')
*''Mentha × verticillata'' (''M. arvensis'' × ''M. aquatica'')
*''Mentha × villosa'' (''M. spicata'' × ''M. suaveolens''; syn. ''M. cordifolia'') - Apple-mint
*''Mentha x villosonervata'' (''M. longifolia'' × ''M. spicata'') - Sharp-toothed Mint

Mints are used as food plants by the [[larva]]e of some [[Lepidoptera]] species including [[Buff Ermine]].

[[Methyl salicylate]] commonly called "oil of wintergreen" is often used as a mint in foods and candies due to its mint like flavor.

=='''Cultivation and uses==
Mints are generally vigorous, spreading plants that tolerate a wide range of conditions, but thrive where there's abundance of water. They can be highly [[invasive spe
cies|invasive]] plants, so caution should be taken in cultivation or it can take over an entire garden.

The most common and popular mints for cultivation are [[peppermint]] (''Mentha × piperita''), [[spearmint]] (''Mentha spicata''), and (more recently) [[pineapple mint]] (''Mentha suaveolens''). The dark green leaves have a pleasant warm, fresh, aromatic, sweet flavor with a cool aftertaste. Mint [[essential oil]]s are used to flavor [[food]], [[candy]], [[tea]]s, breath fresheners, [[antiseptic mouth rinse]]s, and [[toothpaste]]. Mint leaves are used in teas, beverages, jellies, syrups, and ice creams. In Mid-Eastern cuisines, mint is used on lamb dishes. In [[British cuisine]], [[mint sauce]] is popular with lamb. Mint leaves generally refer to spearmint leaves. Pennyroyal and Corsican Mint have a much stronger odor and flavor, and potentially harmful medicinal effects. Pennyroyal resembles the other mints, but Corsican mint is unusual in the fact that it is a low, mossy ground-covering plant. The pineapple mint is particularly mild and popular.

Mint [[essential oil]] and menthol are extensively used as flavourings in drinks, [[chewing gum]] and desserts/[[candy|candies]]; see [[mint (candy)]] and [[mint chocolate]]. The substances that give the mints their characteristic aromas and flavours are:
*[[menthol]]: the main aroma of Spearmint, Peppermint, and Japanese Peppermint (a major commercial source).
*[[pulegone]]: in Pennyroyal and Corsican Mint.

The '''mint family''', Lamiaceae, includes many other aromatic herbs, including most of the more common cooking herbs, including [[basil]], [[rosemary]], [[Common sage|sage]], [[oregano]], and [[catnip]]. In common usage, several other plants with fragrant leaves may be erroneously called a mint. [[Vietnamese Coriander|Vietnamese Mint]], commonly used in [[Southeast Asia]]n cuisine, is not a member of the mint family. In Central and South America, mint is known as ''yerbabuena'' (literally, "good herb"), and in Pakistan, it's called ''Podeena.''

Mint leaves are often used by many campers to repel mosquitoes. It is also said that extracts from mint leaves have a particular mosquito killing capability. However, the only compound scientifically proven to repel mosquitoes is deet.

Mint oil is also being used as an environmentally friendly [[insecticide]] for its ability to kill some common pests like [[wasps]], [[hornets]], [[ants]] and [[cockroaches]].

===Diseases===
{{Main|List of mint diseases}}

===Medicinal and cosmetic uses===
Mint was originally used as a medicinal herb to treat stomach ache and chest pains. During the middle ages, powdered mint leaves were used to whiten teeth. Mint tea is a strong [[diuretic]]. Mint also aids [[digestion]].

[[Menthol]] from mint [[essential oil]] (40-90%) is an ingredient of many [[cosmetics]] and some [[perfume]]s. Menthol and mint [[essential oil]] are also much used in medicine as component of many drugs, and are very popular in [[aromatherapy]].

A common use is as an [[antipruritic]], especially in insect bite treatments (often along with [[camphor]]).

It is also used in cigarettes as an additive, because it blocks out the bitter taste of tobacco and soothes the throat.'''

==References and external links==
*[http://www.emory.edu/OXFORD/Publications/Review/peppermint.html Peppermint and Spearmint]
*[http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2006/08/060821220001.htm 'Mint' Pain Killer Takes Leaf Out Of Ancient Medical Texts]
*[http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/splist.pl?7464 Germplasm Resources Information Network: ''Mentha'']
*[http://rbg-web2.rbge.org.uk/cgi-bin/nph-readbtree.pl/feout?FAMILY_XREF=&GENUS_XREF=Mentha&SPECIES_XREF=&TAXON_NAME_XREF=&RANK=species Flora Europaea: ''Mentha'']
*[http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=2&taxon_id=120248 Flora of China: ''Mentha'']
*[http://www.armeniapedia.org/index.php?title=Mentha Medicinal use of mint in Armenia]

{{Herbs & spices}}

[[Category:Lamiaceae]]
[[Category:Herbs]]
[[Category:Medicinal plants]]

@@ Line 112: / Line 112: @@
 ==References==
 *{{wplink}}
 ==External links==

@@ Line 18: / Line 18: @@
 |image_caption=Mint leaves
 }}
 '''''Mentha''''' ('''mint''') is a [[genus]] of about 25 [[species]] (and many hundreds of [[Variety (botany)|varieties]]<ref name="OxfordCompanion">{{cite book |last=Davidson |first=Alan |authorlink=Alan_Davidson_%28food_writer%29 |title=The Oxford Companion to Food |year=1999 |publisher=Oxford University Press |location=Oxford |isbn=0-19-211579-0 |pages=508}}</ref>) of [[flowering plant]]s in the [[Family (biology)|family]] [[Lamiaceae]] (Mint Family). Species within Mentha have a wide distribution around the world due to its usefulness.  Several mint [[Hybrid (biology)|hybrid]]s commonly occur.
@@ Line 80: / Line 59: @@
 ===Selected hybrids===
 The mint family has many recognized hybrids. Synonyms, along with cultivars and varieties where available, are included within the specific species.
@@ Line 111: / Line 89: @@
 {{Main|List of mint diseases}}
-==Uses==
+{{Inc|
-Herb for cooking, flavoring, medicine, cosmetics, mint oil, teas, salads.
+Mentha (from the Greek name of the nymph Minthe). Labiatae. Mint. Strong-scented perennial herbs; grown mostly for their essential oils but sometimes for ornament.
-Harvesting of mint leaves can be done at anytime. Fresh mint leaves should be used immediately or stored up to a couple of days in plastic bags within a refrigerator. Optionally, mint can be frozen in ice cube trays. Dried mint leaves should be stored in an airtight container placed in a cool, dark, dry area.<ref name="HerbsSpicesFlavorings">{{cite book |last=Ortiz |first=Elisabeth |authorlink=Elisabeth Lambert Ortiz |title=The Encyclopedia of Herbs, Spices & Flavorings |year=1992 |publisher=Dorling Kindersley |location=London |isbn=1-56458-065-2 |pages=36-37}}</ref>
+Japanese mint, secured from M. arvensis var. piperascens, is cultivated in northern Japan, chiefly on the island of Hondo; not known in the wild state. It has been introduced experimentally in cultivation in England and the United States, but has not been cultivated commercially in these countries. Its oil is inferior in quality to that of Mentha piperita, but it contains a higher percentage of crystallizable menthol, of which it was the original source and for the production of which it is largely used. It is propagated by rootstocks carefully transplanted and cultivated by hand labor. Two crops, rarely three, are obtained in a season, and by abundant fertilizing and intensive culture large yields are obtained. It is usually continued three years from one planting, and then a rotation of other crops follow for three to six years. Three horticultural varieties are recognized, being distinguished chiefly by form of leaf and color of stem. The variety known as "Akakuki," with reddish purple stem and broad, obtuse leaves, is regarded as best.
 ==References==

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:18, 5 January 2010
Line 24:		Line 24:

	The mints are scarcely horticultural subjects, although M. rotundifolia and M. Pulegium, as well as the little M. Requienii, may be used as border plants or ground-covers and for the ornamental foliage of some of the forms. They propagate readily by cuttings and division; some of them produce stolons.		The mints are scarcely horticultural subjects, although M. rotundifolia and M. Pulegium, as well as the little M. Requienii, may be used as border plants or ground-covers and for the ornamental foliage of some of the forms. They propagate readily by cuttings and division; some of them produce stolons.
		+
		+	Culture of mints for oil.
		+
		+	Peppermint, the most prominent economic species of mint, ranks as one of the most important of all plants in the production of essential oils. It was originally native in Great Britain and possibly in continental Europe, but is now widely naturalized, growing in many places on both continents like a native plant. There is no record of it in America previous to its introduction to Connecticut in the early part of the eighteenth century. From there it was taken to western New York and to the Western Reserve in Ohio, and in 1835 "roots" were taken from Ohio to Pigeon Prairie, in Michigan, where the industry has grown to larger proportions than anywhere else. Peppermint is now cultivated commercially in southwestern Michigan and adjacent parts of northern Indiana, Wayne county, New York, and in Mitcham, Surrey and Lincolnshire, England, and in Saxony.
		+
		+
		+	Peppermint plants may be grown on any land that will produce good crops of corn, but its cultivation is most profitable on muck soils of reclaimed swamps. It is an exhaustive crop, and on uplands is rarely included in the rotation more often than once in five years. On deep, rich muck soils it is often grown consecutively for 6 years or more with no apparent diminution in. yield. Peppermint is propagated by pieces of running root-stocks, commonly called "roots." These are planted, as early in spring as the ground can be prepared, in furrows 30 inches apart. On uplands two or three crops are usually grown from one setting of the "roots," but in the swamp lands the runners are plowed under after harvest, continuing the crop indefinitely. Clean cultivation is required between the rows, and often it is necessary to hoe the plants or pull weeds by hand, especially on land that has not been well prepared. Fire- weed, horseweed, ragweed and other species with bitter or aromatic properties are very injurious to the oil if cut and distilled with the peppermint.
		+
		+	The crop is cut either with scythe or mowing-machine in August or early September, when the earliest flowers are developed and before the leaves have fallen. In long, favorable seasons a second crop is sometimes harvested early in November. After cutting, the plants are cured like hay, then raked into windrows and taken to the stills, where the oil is extracted by distillation with steam. A "mint still" (Fig. 2360) usually consists of two retorts (used alternately), wooden or galvanized iron tubs about 7 feet deep and 6 feet in diameter at the top, each with a perforated false bottom and a tight-fitting, removable cover, a condenser of nearly 200 feet of block-tin pipe immersed in tanks of cold water, or more frequently arranged in perpendicular tiers over which cold water runs, a boiler to furnish steam and a receiver or tin can with compartments in which the oil separates by gravity. The yield of oil varies from ten to sixty pounds to the acre, averaging about twenty-five pounds for black mint, the variety now generally grown. Three kinds of peppermint are recognized: (1) American mint, "state mint" of New York (M. piperita), long cultivated in this country and occasionally naturalized; (2) black mint, or black mitcham (M. piperita var. vulgaris), a more productive variety introduced from England about 1889, and (3) white mint, or white mitcham (M. piperita var. officinalis), less productive and too tender for profitable cultivation, but yielding a very superior grade of oil. Peppermint oil is used in confectionery, very extensively in medicines, and for the production of menthol, or more properly pipmenthol. Pipmenthol differs in physical properties from menthol derived from Japanese mint.
		+
		+	Japanese mint, secured from M. arvensis var. piperascens, is cultivated in northern Japan, chiefly on the island of Hondo; not known in the wild state. It has been introduced experimentally in cultivation in England and the United States, but has not been cultivated commercially in these countries. Its oil is inferior in quality to that of Mentha piperita, but it contains a higher percentage of crystallizable menthol, of which it was the original source and for the production of which it is largely used. It is propagated by rootstocks carefully transplanted and cultivated by hand labor. Two crops, rarely three, are obtained in a season, and by abundant fertilizing and intensive culture large yields are obtained. It is usually continued three years from one planting, and then a rotation of other crops follow for three to six years. Three horticultural varieties are recognized, being distinguished chiefly by form of leaf and color of stem. The variety known as "Akakuki," with reddish purple stem and broad, obtuse leaves, is regarded as best.
		+
		+	Spearmint is cultivated on peppermint farms for the production of oil. The plants are propagated and cultivated similar to peppermint and distilled in the same stills. The oil, for which there is a smaller demand than for peppermint, is used chiefly in medicine and to some extent as a flavoring ingredient in chewing-gum and drinks. Spearmint is cultivated in the vicinity of many large cities to supply saloons, where freshly cut sprigs of the plant are used in making the seductive and intoxicating drink known as "mint julep." The plant is more widely known as an ingredient in "mint sauce," the familiar accompaniment of spring lamb and green peas. To supply this demand it is often cultivated in the kitchen- garden. It is easily propagated by the perennial root- stocks, and persists year after year with little care, thriving in nearly all kinds of soil, providing it does not become too dry.
	}}		}}

@@ Line 18: / Line 18: @@
 |image_caption=Mint leaves
 }}
 '''''Mentha''''' ('''mint''') is a [[genus]] of about 25 [[species]] (and many hundreds of [[Variety (botany)|varieties]]<ref name="OxfordCompanion">{{cite book |last=Davidson |first=Alan |authorlink=Alan_Davidson_%28food_writer%29 |title=The Oxford Companion to Food |year=1999 |publisher=Oxford University Press |location=Oxford |isbn=0-19-211579-0 |pages=508}}</ref>) of [[flowering plant]]s in the [[Family (biology)|family]] [[Lamiaceae]] (Mint Family). Species within Mentha have a wide distribution around the world due to its usefulness.  Several mint [[Hybrid (biology)|hybrid]]s commonly occur.

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-__NOTOC__{{Plantbox
+{{SPlantbox
-| color = IndianRed
+|familia=Lamiaceae
-| common_names = Mint
+|genus=Mentha
-| growth_habit = [[Rhizome]]
+|common_name=Mint
-| high = 40cm
+|habit=herbaceous
-| wide = 15cm
+|Min ht metric=cm
-| lifespan = [[Perennial]]*
+|Max ht box=40
-| exposure = Sun, part sun
+|Max ht metric=cm
-| water = regular is best
+|Max wd box=15
-| features = Fragrance
+|Max wd metric=cm
-| hardiness = Hardy
+|lifespan=perennial
-| usda_zones =
+|exposure=sun, part-sun
-| sunset_zones =
+|water=moist, moderate
-| name = ''Mentha''
+|features=flowers, fragrance, edible
-| image = Mentha longifolia 2005.08.02 09.53.56.jpg
+|Temp Metric=°F
-| image_width = 200px
+|image=Mint-leaves-2007.jpg
-| image_caption = ''Mentha longifolia''
+|image_width=240
-| regnum = Plantae
+|image_caption=Mint leaves
 }}
 '''''Mentha''''' ('''mint''') is a [[genus]] of about 25 [[species]] (and many hundreds of [[Variety (botany)|varieties]]<ref name="OxfordCompanion">{{cite book |last=Davidson |first=Alan |authorlink=Alan_Davidson_%28food_writer%29 |title=The Oxford Companion to Food |year=1999 |publisher=Oxford University Press |location=Oxford |isbn=0-19-211579-0 |pages=508}}</ref>) of [[flowering plant]]s in the [[Family (biology)|family]] [[Lamiaceae]] (Mint Family). Species within Mentha have a wide distribution around the world due to its usefulness.  Several mint [[Hybrid (biology)|hybrid]]s commonly occur.
@@ Line 104: / Line 96: @@
 ==References==
 {{reflist}}
 ==External links==
 *[http://www.armeniapedia.org/index.php?title=Mentha Medicinal use of mint in Armenia]