Mentha

Mentha (also known as Mint, from Greek míntha,[1] Linear B mi-ta)[2] is a genus of plants in
the family Lamiaceae (mint family).[3] The species are not clearly distinct and estimates of
the number of species varies from 13 to 18.[4] Hybridization between some of the species
occurs naturally. Many other hybrids as well as numerous cultivars are known in cultivation.

The genus has a subcosmopolitan distribution across Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia and
North America.[5]

Mints are aromatic, almost exclusively perennial, rarely annual, herbs. They have wide-
spreading underground and overground stolons[6] and erect, square,[7] branched stems. The
leaves are arranged in opposite pairs, from oblong to lanceolate, often downy, and with a
serrate margin. Leaf colors range from dark green and gray-green to purple, blue, and
sometimes pale yellow.[5] The flowers are white to purple and produced in false whorls called
verticillasters. The corolla is two-lipped with four subequal lobes, the upper lobe usually the
largest. The fruit is a small, dry capsule containing one to four seeds.

While the species that make up the Mentha genus are widely distributed and can be found in
many environments, most Mentha grow best in wet environments and moist soils. Mints will
grow 10–120 cm tall and can spread over an indeterminate area. Due to their tendency to
spread unchecked, mints are considered invasive.[8]

Species
The list below includes all of the taxa that have been recognized as species in recent works on
Mentha. No author has recognized all of them. As with all biological classifications of plants,
this list can go out of date at a moment's notice. Common names are also given for species
that have them. Synonyms, along with cultivars and varieties are given in articles on the
species.

Taxonomy
Mentha is a member of the tribe Mentheae in the subfamily Nepetoideae. The tribe contains
about 65 genera and relationships within it remain obscure.[3] Different authors have
disagreed on the circumscription of Mentha. Some authors have excluded Mentha cervina
from the genus. Mentha cunninghamii has also been excluded by some authors, even in some
recent treatments of the genus.[10] In 2004, a molecular phylogenetic study indicated that both
of these species should be included in Mentha.[4]

Selected hybrids
The mint genus has a large grouping of recognized hybrids. Synonyms, along with cultivars
and varieties where available, are included within the specific species.

Cultivation
All mints prefer, and thrive near pools of water,lakes,rivers,cool, moist spots in partial
shade.[11] In general, mints tolerate a wide range of conditions, and can also be grown in full
sun.

They are fast growing, extending their reach along surfaces through a network of runners.
Due to their speedy growth, one plant of each desired mint, along with a little care, will
provide more than enough mint for home use. Some mint species are more invasive than
others. Even with the less invasive mints, care should be taken when mixing any mint with
any other plants, lest the mint take over. To control mints in an open environment, mints
should be planted in deep, bottomless containers sunk in the ground, or planted above ground
in tubs and barrels.[11]

Some mints can be propagated by seed. Growth from seed can be an unreliable method for
raising mint for two reasons: mint seeds are highly variable - one might not end up with what
one presupposed was planted;[11] and some mint varieties are sterile. It is more effective to
take and plant cuttings from the runners of healthy mints.

The most common and popular mints for cultivation are peppermint (Mentha × piperita),
spearmint (Mentha spicata), and (more recently) apple mint (Mentha suaveolens).

Mints are supposed to make good companion plants, repelling pest insects and attracting
beneficial ones. Mints are susceptible to whitefly and aphids.

Harvesting of mint leaves can be done at any time. 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.[12]

Uses
Culinary

The leaf, fresh or dried, is the culinary source of mint. Fresh mint is usually preferred over
dried mint when storage of the mint is not a problem. The leaves have a warm, fresh,
aromatic, sweet flavor with a cool aftertaste. Mint leaves are used in teas, beverages, jellies,
syrups, candies, and ice creams. In Middle Eastern cuisine, mint is used on lamb dishes,
while in British cuisine and American cuisine, mint sauce and mint jelly are used,
respectively.

Mint is a necessary ingredient in Touareg tea, a popular tea in northern African and Arab
countries.

Alcoholic drinks sometimes feature mint for flavor or garnish, such as the mint julep and the
mojito. Crème de menthe is a mint-flavored liqueur used in drinks such as the grasshopper.

Mint essential oil and menthol are extensively used as flavorings in breath fresheners, drinks,
antiseptic mouth rinses, toothpaste, chewing gum, desserts, and candies; see mint (candy) and
mint chocolate. The substances that give the mints their characteristic aromas and flavors are
menthol (the main aroma of Peppermint and Japanese Peppermint) and pulegone (in
Pennyroyal and Corsican Mint). The compound primarily responsible for the aroma and
flavor of spearmint is R-carvone.

Mints are used as food plants by the larvae of some Lepidoptera species including Buff
Ermine.

Medicinal and cosmetic

Mint was originally used as a medicinal herb to treat stomach ache and chest pains, and it is
commonly used in the form of tea as a home remedy to help alleviate stomach pain.[13][14] In
Rome, Pliny recommended that a wreath of mint was a good thing for students to wear since
it was thought to "exhilarate their minds". During the Middle Ages, powdered mint leaves
were used to whiten teeth.[15] Mint tea is a diuretic.[16][17] A common use is as an antipruritic,
especially in insect bite treatments (often along with camphor).[citation needed] The strong, sharp
flavor and scent of mint is sometimes used as a mild decongestant for illnesses such as the
common cold.[18][19] Mint is also used in some shampoo products.

Menthol from mint essential oil (40–90%) is an ingredient of many cosmetics and some
perfumes. Menthol and mint essential oil are also much used in medicine as a component of
many drugs, and are very popular in aromatherapy. Menthol is also used in cigarettes as an
additive, because it blocks out the bitter taste of tobacco and soothes the throat.

Although it is used to treat many symptoms, mint can also cause allergic reactions to some
people. Although rare, these can induce painful symptoms including abdominal cramps and
diarrhoea, headaches, tingling or numbing around the mouth, nasal congestion, clogging of
the sinuses, nausea, etc. It can be a reaction to Salycilates[20] or Linalol contained in the mint,
or to some of the proteins inside the plant. It is possible to have high intolerance to one type
of mint such as spearmint yet have no reaction to other types such as peppermint and
menthol, and the symptoms may get worse over time. Because it is uncommon, the people
who suffer from mint allergies can find it hard to deal with it on a daily basis. Most of the
problems arise from the need to find special toothpaste or dental products, but can also be
reactions to the smell of somebody consuming mint candy or gum in a public or work place.
In some cases it can be a minor disturbance but sometimes a severe reaction: because it is
potent, inhaling the mint can trigger by itself breathing problems, nausea and dizziness
separately or all together. Depending on whether the allergy is to a chemical or a protein
inside the plant, it may or may not extend to other Lamiaceae.[21]

iFood.tv claims that the American Allergy and asthma Foundation has tracked an increasing
amount of mint allergies as with allergies in general.[22]

Insecticides

Mint oil is also used as an environmentally friendly insecticide for its ability to kill some
common pests like wasps, hornets, ants and cockroaches.[23]

Room scent and aromatherapy

Known in Greek mythology as the herb of hospitality,[24] one of mint's first known uses in
Europe was as a room deodorizer.[25] The herb was strewn across floors to cover the smell of
the hard-packed soil. Stepping on the mint helped to spread its scent through the room.
Today, it is more commonly used for aromatherapy through the use of essential oils.

Diseases
Etymology of "mint"
Mint descends from the Latin word mentha, which is rooted in the Greek word minthe,
personified in Greek mythology as Minthe, a nymph who was transformed into a mint plant.
The word itself probably derives from a now extinct pre-Greek language (see Pre-Greek
substrate).[26]

Mint leaves, without a qualifier like peppermint or apple mint, generally refers to spearmint
leaves.

In Spain, Central and South America, mint is known as hierba buena (literally, "good herb").
In Lusophone countries, especially in Portugal, mint species are popularly known as Hortelã.
In many Indo-Aryan languages, it is called Pudīna. Telugu: పపపపప.

The taxonomic family Lamiaceae is known as the mint family. It includes many other
aromatic herbs, including most of the more common cooking herbs, including basil,
rosemary, sage, oregano, and catnip.

As an English colloquial term, any small mint-flavored confectionery item can be called a
mint.[27]

In common usage, other plants with fragrant leaves may be called "mint" although they are
not in the Mint Family.

 Vietnamese Mint, commonly used in Southeast Asian cuisine is Persicaria odorata in

the family Polygonaceae, collectively known as smartweeds or pinkweeds.
 "Mexican mint marigold" is Tagetes lucida in the sunflower family (Asteraceae).

We all have heard of mint or pudina, as an ingredient in chutney or as a

garnish in a subzi. It adds that special zing to almost all foods it is added to.
But it is much more than just a garnish, the humble mint leaves have a
number of health benefits that you probably didn’t know about. Here are
some of them:

1. Relieves indigestion

Pudina is packed with antioxidants and phytonurients that do wonders for your stomach.
The menthol present in pudina helps the enzymes necessary for digestion and helps the
process along, by acting on the smooth muscles of the stomach. These muscles when
activated work more efficiently relieving indigestion.

It is also known to calm stomach cramps, help beat acidity and gets rid of flatulence.
According to Ayurveda practitioners, it is also very beneficial for patients suffering from
IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome). It helps the muscles in the stomach relax and promotes
overall digestion. Drink a cup of pudina tea after every meal by either boiling the leaves
along with a few green tea leaves or on their own for maximum benefits. Read about
home remedies to treat acidity.

2. Fights aches and pains

A number of pain balms use mint extracts as the main ingredient in their products. That is
because when the mint extract is used on an area that is hurting, it immediately provides a
cooling effect that partially numbs the area. This helps in lessening the pain. Another
method is to inhale the fumes of mint extract. This soothes the nerves and gives a calming
feeling to the entire body. It indirectly soothes aches and pains as well as nausea
associated with a headache. Find out why you shouldn’t ignore constant body aches.

3. Gives you glowing and acne free skin

Mint has a unique property that soothes and calms itchy and infected skin. It has potent
anti- inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties which work wonders on acne prone skin,
and is often used in a number of cleansers, toners and in some lip balms as well. The
strong antioxidants present in mint leaves leaves the skin with a natural glow and
rehydrate dull and dry skin. Mint has a high content of salicylic acid which helps prevent
pimples, blemishes and even helps get rid of blackheads. The compounds present in
mint helps in faster shedding of dull and dry skin which in turn helps avoid clogging of
pores resulting in pimple free skin. Read about other natural remedies for acne free skin.

4. Helps fight oral infections

Mint leaves are packed with anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. That is why
they are so great to for your oral health. It kills bacteria in the mouth preventing tooth
decay, beats bad breath and keeps your tongue and teeth clean naturally. Just chew on a
few leaves on mint regularly to keep dental diseases at bay.

5. Helps relieve cough and asthma

Mint has a very strong odour which helps open up the airways and allows relaxed
breathing. It is also an expectorant and helps the expulsion of phlegm, allowing the
patient recover faster. Its anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties help relieve
inflammation along the respiratory tract. If you are suffering from a cough, drop one drop
of mint extract in warm water and inhale the fumes through the mouth and push out the
steam through your nose. This way mint extract passes through your throat and nose
relieving both the areas. In the case of asthmatic patients the same principle can be
followed. According to Ayurvedic doctors, simply planting a mint plant outside the
window of an asthma patient will help keep the diseases at bay. Read more about asthma.

6. Helps relieve the pain associated with menstrual cramps

Since mint leaves purify the blood and have an anti-spasmodic effect on the soothe
muscles of our body, it is a great remedy to relieve the pain of menstrual cramps. It also
relieves nausea associated with the condition. Just brew a hot cup of mint tea and sip it
 several times through the day. It will make you feel calmer and soother your uterus too.
read about the tried ans tested tips to beat menstrual cramps.

7. Beats morning sickness in pregnant women

Due to the effects it has on one’s stomach, it is a great remedy for expectant mothers. It
helps relieve the nausea related to morning sickness by activating the enzymes necessary
for digestion. Eating a few leaves or smelling the crushed leaves of mint every morning is
a great way for mothers-to-be to overcome this difficult period. A warning though,
mothers should be careful not to have this after the baby is born as it is known to affect
lactation. Read about how you can deal with morning sickness.

8. Boosts immunity

Mint leaves are packed with nutrients such as calcium, phosphorous, vitamin C, D, E and
small amounts of vitamin B complex. All these compounds put together improves the
body’s immune system, keeping it safe from infections and inflammation. Read about
natural remedies to boost your immunity.

9. Beats stress and depression

In aromatherapy mint extract is used to beat stress and rejuvenate the mind. Breathing in
the fumes of mint helps relax the body and calm the mind, freeing it of stress. It releases a
small amount of serotonin in the brain that also helps beat depression. If you are feeling
low, add a little mint leaves or mint extract to your bath water, or use mint extract on a
vaporizer to get some relief. Read more about stress.

10. Helps fight cancer

Mint has a potent phytochemical that can prevent various types of cancers. Called perillyl
alcohol, the phytonutrient has shown the capability of preventing skin cancer, colon
cancer and lung cancer in animal studies. Its benefits in this particular area are still under
the scanner when it comes to humans. Read more about cancer.

Uses Of Mint
Mint can be used fresh or in dried form. The dried form has less flavour and aroma.
It is used in making chutney, juices, desserts, top dressed on salads, salad dressings, soupsetc.

Mint is used in toothpastes, mouth fresheners, candies, chewing gums etc.

Mint is also used in pharmaceutical fomulations like cough syrups, inhalers and balms.
It is also used in the manufacture of perfumes, lipstick, ice creams and liquour.
About Mint Oil
Mint oil is produced from various species of the mint plant. Although they have different
properties, some properties are common to all the oils sourced from the different varieties of
the plant. These are listed below.
  Easing congestion of the respiratory tract - Mint oil breaks up the mucous and helps
remove it.Steam inhalation of the vapours of peppermint or spearmint oil, by adding
few drops of water to boiled water, is the best way to clear congestion.
 Cleansing the skin - Both peppermint and spearmint oil help remove excessive oil
from the facial skin and alleviate acne by their astringent action.
 Correcting digestive problems - Both spearmint and peppermint oil can be taken
internally. Just 1 drop of the oil in 1 cup of warm water with some added honey is
sufficient.

CAUTION

 Peppermint oil is stronger and more effective than spearmint oil.

 Use peppermint oil with care and in moderation since it can cause skin irritation,
heartburn and irritate the mucous membranes in excess.
 Do not use this oil in pregnancy or during nursing.
 Do not give this oil to babies or small children.
 Avoid use of this oil if you have gall stones, hiatal hernia, suffer from GERD, or if
you are taking medicines for reducing stomach acid, blood pressure, diabetes or
cyclosporine.

Peppermint Oil Components

Peppermint oil contains

 menthol 30% to 55%

 menthone 14% to 32%
 iso menthone 1.5% to 10%
 menthyl acetate 2.8% to 10%
 menthofuran 1% to 9%
 cineole 3.5% to 14%
 pulegone upto 4%
 iso pulegol upto 0.2%
 limonene 1% to 5%
 carvone upto 1%

These proportions vary with different locations.

 Menthol gives the peppermint oil the fresh smell and flavour.
 Isomenthone is a precursor to menthone which in turn is a precursor to menthol.
Menthone is converted to menthol by a protein.
 Carvone is the main component of spearmint oil being 50% to 65% of the oil content.
 Menthyl acetate is used as a flavouring agent.
 Menthofuran and pulegone also impart flavour.
 Cineole is anti inflammatory mucous solvent used in lung disease treatment,
additionally.

REFERENCES

 A Review On Peppermint Oil; Shrivastava Alankar; Apr-Jun, 2009

  Variations in composition of peppermint oil…; R. J. Clark and R. C. Menary; Jan.
1981
 Scientific Committee on Food on Pulegone and Menthofuran expressed on 2 July
2002
 Chest of Books: The Volatile Oils
 “Plant Physiology”; Monoterpene Metabolism. Cloning, Expression, and
Characterization of Menthone Reductases from Peppermint; Edward M. Davis et al;
Feb 2005.

Nutritional Factors In Mint

Mint is rich in Vitamins A, C and small amounts of B2. It also contains the minerals
manganese, copper, iron, potassium, calcium, magnesium, folate in good amounts and fiber.

Nutritional Values In Peppermint

(click column header to sort results)
Peppermint (Mentha piperita), Fresh,
Nutritive Value per 100 g.
(Source: USDA National Nutrient data base)
Principle Nutrient Value Percentage of RDA
Energy 70 Kcal 3.50%
Carbohydrates 14.79 g 11%
Protein 3.75 g 7%
Total Fat 0.94 g 3%
Cholesterol 0 mg 0%
Dietary Fiber 8 g 20%
Vitamins
Folates 114 mcg 28%
Niacin 1.706 mg 10.50%
Pantothenic acid0.338 mg 6.50%
Pyridoxine 0.129 mg 10%
Riboflavin 0.266 mg 20%
Thiamin 0.082 mg 7%
Vitamin A 4248 IU 141%
Vitamin C 31.8 mg 53%
Electrolytes
Sodium 31 mg 2%
Potassium 569 mg 12%
Minerals
Calcium 243 mg 24%
Copper 329 mcg 36%
Iron 5.08 mg 63.50%
Magnesium 80 mg 20%
Manganese 1.176 mg 51%
Zinc 1.11 mg 10%

Health Benefits Of Mint

  Mint stimulates digestion and is an anti spasmodic, relieves gas, menstrual spasms,
reduces nausea and morning sickness in pregnancy.
 Mint relieves cough, cold, fever, rheumatic pains, earaches, sinus and throat ailments,
food poisoning and travel sickness.
 Mint boosts immunity, reduces the growth of fungus and bacteria.
 Mint cleanses the blood, relieves sprains and muscle cramps.
 Mint has shown anti cancer properties in animal studies though its benefit on cancer
in humans is yet to be fully established.

However, nursing mothers should not take mint as it may decrease milk output.

Uses In Health Conditions

For The Face

Grind mint leaves and apply on the face at night. It removes pimples, boils and makes the
face glow.

For Stomachache

Take dry mint and sugar in equal quantities. Grind. Take 2 tsp of this with water.

For Cold, Cough And Fever

Take 10 leaves of mint, 5 black peppercorns and salt to taste. Add to water. Boil and steep for
5 minutes. Drink when tepid. Do this 3 times a day.

For Cold, Asthmatic Cough & Weak Digestive Power

Take 1/4 cup mint juice with 1/4 cup water three times a day.

In Vomiting, Diarrhoea And Cholera

Drink 1/2 cup of mint juice every 2 hours.

In Gas

 Early morning drink a glass of water to which 25 ml of mint juice & 30 ml of honey
has been added.
 Boil 60 gms mint, 10 gms ginger cut in small pieces and 8 gms ajwain in 250 ml of
water. After boiling add 1/2 cup milk and jaggery to taste. This relieves gas and
strengthens digestive power.
  Take 1/4 cup mint juice in 1/2 cup water. Add juice of 1/2 a lemon. Mix well and
drink.

For Worms

Drink mint juice.

For Scorpion Bite

Apply a poultice of crushed mint leaves. Also drink mint juice with added water.

In Hiccups

 Suck on some mint leaves or lemon.

 Mint leaves and sugar can be chewed too for relief

For Removing Body Heat

To 10 gms mint add 20 gms jaggery and 200 ml water. Boil and strain. Cool before drinking.

For Glowing Skin

Take 1 tsp curd and 1 tsp crushed mint leaves. Mix a few drops of lemon juice. Mix all these
well and apply on the face. Wash off after 20 minutes with cold water.

In Morning Sickness

Mix 1 tsp mint juice and 1 tsp ginger juice and 2 tsp honey. Take 2 times a day.

As A Mouth & Breath Freshener

Boil mint leaves in water. and cool. Gargle with this water.

For Abdominal Pain

To a glass of milk add few mint leaves. Boil. Drink when cool enough.

Mint Juice Health Benefits

Mint Juice with Lemon Juice acts as an appetizer. Mint helps control acidity, indigestion and
vomiting.

Concentrated Mint Juice, when applied on skin, controls blackheads and pimples, reduces
acne and itching. Application of mashed Mint leaves on skin also helps reduce dryness of
skin and rejuvenates it. Drinking Mint Juice during summer promotes healthy skin and helps
beat summer heat.