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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]]
| 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]]