TASK 7 COMMODITIES "MINTS"

MINTS

HISTORY

Spearmint has been cultivated for so long, that some believe it would be virtually impossible to find it growing in its original form in nature. Biblical references to mint suggest it was of such high value as to be used as tithes by the Pharisees along with anise and cumin. Mint history is colored by stories from ancient mythology. Proserpine, Pluto’s wife, was said to have transformed a hated rival into the mint plant. Both the Latin, Metha, and the Greek, Minthe, have come to be associated with metamorphosed beauty. In Ancient Athens, where it was common to scent different parts of the body with different herbs, mint was the scent most commonly used on the arms.

Mint history has it being introduced to England by the Romans and is mentioned by John Gardiner before 1440 as ‘myntys’. John Gardiner may have been a pseudonym and little is known about him. He published Feate of Gardening in 1440 but it may have been written much earlier. Feate is perhaps the earliest horticultural work in the English language and was written in verse.

In the 14th Century we found early versions of toothpaste. It was used during that time for whitening teeth.
Turner (1508 – 1568), who was known as the Father of British Botany, believed it was good for ‘ye stomack’ and is pleasant in sauces.
Culpepper (1616 – 1654), a physician-astrologer who fought in his country’s Civil War, suggests that mint should never be given to a wounded man because it will prevent his wound from healing. He used mint to treat almost 40 different ailments.

We also found reference in our research on mint history to a superstition that mint should never be cut with iron. No explanation was given as to why this was a bad thing. In the 17th Century, John Gerarde described mint as having a “smelle rejoyceth the heart of man.”

Mint history identifies the Pilgrims as the people most likely responsible for bringing the herb to the New World according to John Josselyn. Josselyn, a 17th century English traveler, chronicled his visit to New England and included information on many of the plants of that colony.

Mint History – Historical Uses of Spearmint

This species of mint is also known as “Mackerel Mint” and in Germany it was called “Lady’s Mint” with a pun on the word munze, a word meaning a building or institution where coins are produced. The name, spear or spire, refers to the spiry form of its floral blossoming.

Spearmint was once macerated and added to milk because it appeared to lengthen the shelf-life of milk and keep it from curdling (remember this is pre-refrigeration days). It was also recommended for use by people with delicate constitutions or young children with ‘feeble digestive powers’. It was however, not recommended for use when a fever was present. (again, no reason was given for this exception)

Spearmint oil is less used than it’s stronger cousin, peppermint. The mint sauces and jellies that usually accompany lamb dishes are made of the milder-flavored spearmint. It was once recommended as a treatment for hiccough, flatulence as well as ‘the giddiness of indigestion’. Used externally, oil of spearmint, was thought to heal ‘chaps and indolent eruptions.’

TYPES, USES, AND THE BENEFIT OF MINT

SPEARMINT

Spearmint was once macerated and added to milk because it appeared to lengthen the shelf-life of milk and keep it from curdling (remember this is pre-refrigeration days). It was also recommended for use by people with delicate constitutions or young children with ‘feeble digestive powers’. It was however, not recommended for use when a fever was present. (again, no reason was given for this exception)

Spearmint oil is less used than it’s stronger cousin, peppermint. The mint sauces and jellies that usually accompany lamb dishes are made of the milder-flavored spearmint. It was once recommended as a treatment for hiccough, flatulence as well as ‘the giddiness of indigestion’. Used externally, oil of spearmint, was thought to heal ‘chaps and indolent eruptions.’

GINGER MINT

There are over a thousand different varieties of mint. Ginger mint (Mentha x gracilis syn. Mentha x gentilis) is a cross between corn mint and spearmint, and smells very much like spearmint. Often called slender mint or scotch mint, variegated ginger mint plants have beautiful bright yellow stripes on the leaves. Let’s learn more about growing ginger mint plants.

Growing Ginger Mint

Ginger mint, like all other varieties of mint, is easy to grow and can quickly get out of hand when allowed to grow freely. If you have the space to let your mint plants run, it will kindly oblige. Otherwise, it’s best to contain it in a pot of some kind. To keep growth under control, you can even cut the bottom out of large coffee can and place this in the ground. This mint is not particularly picky about the soil it grows in as long as it is not too dry. Ginger mint will even grow well in heavy soils loaded with clay. Place plants in a sunny or partly sunny location for best results.

Care of Ginger Mint Herbs

If you plant your mint in a container, be sure to keep the soil amply moist. Containers dry out quickly in the hot summer heat. Check the soil a couple of times a week to be sure that it is moist to touch. Ginger mint in the garden will appreciate a generous layer of mulch. Use garden compost, bark chips, cocoa shells or other finely shredded compost. This will help to retain moisture and protect the ginger mint herbs over the winter. Feed your plants with bone meal twice a year for best performance. To keep your mints plants looking their best, clip the older woody stems back to allow younger shoots to fill in. In late fall, cut the plants back to the ground. This protects the plant and allow vital energy to be put into new growth for the following season. Harvest young shoots as they appear in the spring. Always collect mint leaves on a dry day before the hot sun comes out and use right away for best taste. Division is easily accomplished any time of the year; however, spring or fall is best. Any part of the root will grow a new plant.

Ginger Mint Uses

Ginger mint herbs are a delightful addition to fresh summer melon salads, as well as warm or cool teas and lemonade. Finely chopped pieces of mint can be added to softened butter for a delicious spread. Fresh grilled meats taste great with a lemon juice and mint leaf marinade.

RED RARIPILA MINT

A member of the family Lamiaceae, red raripila mint plants (Mentha x smithiana) are hybrid plants composed of the corn mint (Mentha arvensis), watermint (Mentha aquatica), and spearmint (Mentha spicata). More commonly used in Northern and Central Europe, acquiring red raripila plants may require a bit more research, as other mint varieties are more popular in the United States and Canada, but well worth the effort for its lovely green/red leaves with red stems.

Red Raripila Mint Information Pollinated and extremely popular to bees and butterflies makes the red raripila mint extremely susceptible to cross hybridization. Growing red raripila mint plants are, however, not attractive to deer, making them a nice addition to rural landscapes. Red raripila mint is also a great companion plant to vegetable crops such as cabbages and tomatoes as they act as a deterrent to troublesome insect pests. As mentioned, it may be a bit more of a challenge to obtain these plants in North America, but if one does obtain seed, be aware that this little hybrid is generally sterile and thus, the seed will usually not breed true. If, however, seed is acquired, it may be sown in the spring in a cold frame and has a relatively quick germination.

Once the red raripila plants attain some size, transplant them to pots or other restrictive growing area. Red raripila mint is easily divisible and should be done in spring or fall, although the plant is fairly tolerant of division most any time of the year. Any portion of the root is capable of creating a new plant and will establish rapidly with a limited amount of fuss.

Care of Red Raripila Mint

Care of red raripila plants, as for all mint varieties, is fairly simple. Like all mint plants, red raripila plants are aggressive spreaders once established and should be planted either in pots or a confined area. Easy to grow, this little perennial succeeds in most any type of soil as long as it is not too arid, including heavily clay laden soils. Care of red raripila mint includes a slightly acidic soil. Growing red raripila mint plants may be sown in areas of sun to partial shade, although to boost the production of essential oils, full sun exposure is most advantageous.

How to Use Red Raripila Mints

Like most mint varieties, red raripila mint is excellent brewed as a tea and can be used fresh or dried. The flavor of red raripila mint is reminiscent of spearmint and has the resulting refreshing taste and similarity of use. The essential oils derived from red raripila mint plants are used in everything from ice cream to beverages and are extremely popular in Northern and Central Europe and down under in Australia to flavor fresh peas or mint jelly for the lamb and mutton dishes popular in those countries. These essential oils are also offensive to rats and mice, so it has also been spread in granaries and other areas of grain storage to discourage the rodent population.

Medicinal uses have been associated with this plant as well. The oils from red raripila mint are thought to aid in digestive distress and are often used for their antiseptic properties. As with many mint species, red raripila has been used in the treatment of headaches, fevers, digestive distress and other minor medical issues. Chewing on the leaves will also, like spearmint, freshen one’s breath. Like all other members of the mint family, red raripila mint plants’ essential oils should be limited or avoided by pregnant women as the ingestion has been known to trigger miscarriages.

PEPPERMINT

Almost everyone has heard of peppermint. That’s the flavoring they use in toothpaste and chewing gum, isn’t it? Yes, it is, but a peppermint planting in your home garden can offer you so much more. Learning how to grow peppermint is easy, but before we get into growing peppermint, let’s learn a little bit about the plant itself. Peppermint (Mentha x piperita) was first cultivated in 1750 near London, England as an experimental hybrid between watermint and spearmint. That you can now find naturally growing peppermint almost anywhere in the world is a testament not only to its adaptability, but as an indication of its medicinal qualities. Once our forefathers, or more likely foremothers, learned how to use the peppermint plant, they took it everywhere they moved or visited where some, no doubt, was left behind with new friends.

Peppermint Planting and Care of Peppermint

Although the care of peppermint is a little more involved than just sticking it in the ground, it certainly isn’t intricate. First and foremost, this plant needs lots of water and it is often found naturalized by streams and ponds where the soil is rich and the drainage is good. It won’t tolerate dry conditions. While partial sun is sufficient for peppermint, planting it in full sun will increase the potency of its oils and medicinal qualities. Though not as invasive as some of its mint relatives, no instructions on how to grow peppermint would be complete without mentioning its tendency to spread. Because of this, many gardeners prefer growing peppermint in containers. Others grow it in the ground with wood or plastic edging buried around the bed to prevent the spread of roots. Whatever method is chosen, good care of peppermint includes moving the plants to a new location every three or four years. They tend to weaken and become spindly if left in the same place for too long. There are two main cultivated varieties of this aromatic herb: black and white. Black peppermint has deep purple-green leaves and stems and a higher oil content. The white is actually light green and has a milder flavor. Either is adequate for growing peppermint at home. How to Use Peppermint Plant You can keep a peppermint planting simply for its delightful saw-toothed leaves and delicate flowers or for the spicy fragrance released when the leaves are crushed between your fingers.

However, once you learn to use the peppermint plant for medicinal purposes, you may become an even greater fan. Within the pharmaceutical community, many home remedies were written off as old wives tales, but recent university research has revealed that many of our grandmother’s recommendations for how to use peppermint plant were indeed accurate and effective.

Here are some proven facts:

Digestion – Peppermint is good for indigestion and bloating. As a carminative herb, peppermint has the ability to expel gas from the stomach and intestines by relaxing the muscles involved. It has also been used to successfully treat Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). It should not, however, be used for the treatment of Gastrointestinal Reflux Disease (GERD) as it may further relax the muscles that prevent the backflow of stomach acid thus worsening the problem. Colds and Flu – Peppermint is a natural decongestant. One of the herb’s active ingredients is menthol, which thins mucus and will therefore loosen phlegm and reduce coughs. It is soothing to sore throats. Type II Diabetes – Test-tube results show that peppermint may aid in lowering blood sugar and may prove helpful to mild or pre-diabetic patients. This comes with a word of warning. When combined with medication, it may result in Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).

Blood Pressure – Results are similar to those of blood sugar and the same cautions apply. It would be remiss if we failed to mention some concerns in health care of peppermint oils and extracts. Some of these include the following: Peppermint can make gallstones worse. Large doses of peppermint oil can be fatal and any amount used on the hands or face of an infant or toddler can cause breathing spasms that may result in death. While likely safe to use, no definitive studies have been done of peppermint’s effect on pregnancy. Lastly, NEVER take peppermint with an immunosuppressant. As with all herbs, there can be unforeseen side effects or interactions with other supplements or medications and any regular use should be discussed with your health care provider.

MINT
Mint is native to the Mediterranean but spread into Britain and eventually to America. The Pilgrims brought mint with them on their first journey overseas. One of the most favored of the mint plants is spearmint (Mentha spicata). This highly aromatic plant is valued for its culinary, medicinal and cosmetic use. Spearmint resembles peppermint, though spearmint plants have bright green leaves that are pointed, and lavender flower spikes that grow up to 4 inches long. When planted in ideal conditions, spearmint will reach a mature height and width of 12 to 24 inches. Growing spearmint plants in the garden is a rewarding and useful experience.

How to Grow Spearmint

Learning how to grow spearmint isn’t much different than growing other mint plants. Spearmint is a hardy perennial up to USDA plant hardiness Zone 5 that grows best in partial shade with well-draining, rich, moist soil and a pH of 6.5 to 7. Mint is easiest to grow from plants, but you can sow seed once the ground has warmed in the spring. Keep seeds moist until they germinate and thin plants to 1 foot apart. Spearmint, once planted takes off quickly and can take over quickly as well. Many people question how to plant spearmint due to its invasive nature. Some cautious gardeners grow spearmint in hanging baskets or containers to avoid having to pull out runners constantly. Another way to plant spearmint if you want it in the garden is to plant it in a 5-gallon pot with the bottom cut out. This will help keep the runners of growing spearmint plants from invading other spots of your garden.

Care of Spearmint As with most types of mint, the care of spearmint is easy. Mint in the garden should be mulched annually to keep the roots cool and moist. Potted mint does best when fertilized monthly during the growing season with a liquid fertilizer. Divide plants every two years to keep them healthy. Prune potted plants regularly to keep neat and tidy. If you live in an area with very cold winters, it is best to bring potted spearmint indoors and place in a sunny window. Knowing how to plant spearmint correctly in the garden will provide you with years of lasting beauty and usefulness.

PINEAPPLE MINT

Pineapple mint plants (Mentha suaveolens ‘Variegata’) are among the most attractive varieties of mints. There are a number of pineapple mint uses that make this versatile plant well worth growing. Use it in beverages, as an attractive garnish, in potpourris and in any dish that calls for mint. It makes an attractive and fragrant ground cover, and also grows well in containers and hanging baskets. The only problem with pineapple mint is that it spreads vigorously. This can be good if you want to use it as a ground cover to fill an area, but it will eventually find its way into the rest of the garden unless you install a deep edging around it. Growing pineapple mint in containers is a good way to keep this and other mints under control, but you’ll still need to take some precautions. The plant has been known to escape through the drainage holes in the bottoms of pots and even jump from pot to pot in container groupings.

What is Pineapple Mint?
Pineapple mint is a variegated cultivar of apple mint (Mentha suaveolens). It features attractive, variegated leaves, usually with white margins, on plants that grow up to a foot tall. The leaves are bumpy and hairy and the white edging can make them look as though they are sporting a ruffle. White or light pink flowers bloom on small spikes at the top of the plant in summer. The flowers attract a wide variety of pollinating insects, including bees and butterflies. Deer dislike strong fragrances and hairy leaves, so they have two reasons to dislike pineapple mint.

How to Care for Pineapple Mint
Grow pineapple mint in full sun or partial shade in rich, moist soil. Plants grown in sun tend to stand upright, while those that get afternoon shade sprawl near the ground. Keep the soil evenly moist until the plants are well-established. Once they are growing well, you’ll only need to water them during dry spells. The plants don’t need regular fertilization when planted in good garden soil. Older plants become woody and unattractive. Pull them up and let younger plants fill in the empty space. Pinch out the growing tips of pineapple mint plants regularly to keep them compact and bushy. You may occasionally find solid green sprigs of mint mixed in with your pineapple mint. These are sprigs of apple mint — the parent plant of the pineapple mint cultivar. You should pinch them out as you find them because, like most variegated plants, pineapple mint isn’t as vigorous as its non-variegated parent plant, and the apple mint will soon take over.

APPLE MINT

Apple mint (Mentha suaveolens) is a lovely, aromatic plant that can rapidly become obnoxious if not contained. When kept confined, this is a beautiful herb with many fantastic culinary, medicinal and decorative properties. Let’s learn more about how to grow an apple mint herb plant. About Apple Mint Plants Europeans introduced this member of the mint family to America where it has been embraced as a garden plant including many cultivars. Reaching about 2 feet at maturity, apple mint plants have woolly stems, fragrant serrated leaves and terminal spikes that bear white or light pink flowers beginning in late summer or early fall.

How to Grow an Apple Mint Herb

Apple mint, known endearingly by some as the “fuzzy mint” or “woolly mint” can be planted from seed or plant and it propagates easily by cuttings. Since apple mint can be invasive, it is wise to consider confining the plants to a container. You can put the plant in a container and then bury the container. Rich soil that drains well and has a pH of 6.0. to 7.0 is best. If spreading is not an issue, you can plant directly into the ground. This mint likes full to part shade and is hardy in USDA plant hardiness zones 5 through 9. Consider planting apple mint alongside cabbage, peas, tomatoes and broccoli to improve their flavor.

Apple Mint Care

Provide water for early plants and during times of drought. Caring for established apple mint is not overly taxing. Large areas can be easily mowed to keep under control. Smaller plots or containers are healthiest if cut back a few times each season. In the fall, cut back all apple mint to the ground and cover with a 2-inch layer of mulch where winters are harsh. Apple Mint Uses Growing apple mint is a lot of fun, as you can do so many things with it. Bruised apple mint leaves added to a pitcher of ice water with lemon make the perfect “afternoon in the shade” summer treat. Dried apple mint leaves are a delicious warm tea that is perfect for cooler weather. For drying, harvest the leaves when they are fresh by cutting the stalks just before they bloom. Hang the stalks to dry and store them in airtight containers. Use fresh leaves as a pretty and fragrant dessert topping, as salad additions or to make tasty apple mint dressings.

PENNYROYAL

Pennyroyal plant is a perennial herb that was once widely used but is not as common today. It has applications as an herbal remedy, culinary uses and as a decorative touch. Growing pennyroyal in the herb or perennial garden will add color with its reddish purple to lilac blooms. There are two plants called pennyroyal. One is the European pennyroyal (Mentha pulegium), which is a member of the mint family. The other is the American pennyroyal from an unrelated genus, Hedeoma pulegoides. American Pennyroyal Plant Either variety of pennyroyal has a fresh, minty scent but American pennyroyal is not in the mint family. They are both low growing plants with slightly hairy stems but the American has a square stem. It is many branched and creeps along at only 6 inches to 1 foot in height. The leaves are tiny and slim and the plant is rather unremarkable until bloom time in July. Until September the plant produces pale blue flower clusters that are dried and distilled for the oils. European Pennyroyal Plant True to its family nature, European pennyroyal has a spreading habit. The plants 1-foot tall stems root wherever they touch the ground and start new plants. Care should be exercised when you grow pennyroyal plant and it may be best to plant in pots to minimize the invasiveness of the plant. European pennyroyal can be grown in full sun to partial shade in USDA zones 5 to 9. You can tell the difference between the two types of pennyroyal by the number of stamens. European has four but American flowers only have two.

How to Grow Pennyroyal

Herb Pennyroyal can be propagated from seed, cuttings or spring division. The seed needs light to germinate but grows quickly once it sprouts. Plant them in prepared seed beds outside after all danger of frost. Sow the seed on the surface of the soil and mist the bed to moisten it. Keep it moist and germination should occur in two weeks. Divide established plants every three years in early spring for the best form and production. Pennyroyal is an easy to grow herb. European pennyroyal makes a wonderful trailing plant when grown in a hanging basket or at the edges of mixed color containers. American pennyroyal can be grown indoors in troughs or outside in the kitchen garden. Pinch the terminal ends of the herb to stimulate bushiness and a more compact growing shape. Grow pennyroyal as a ground cover in sunny areas with junky soil. The plant will persist even in unfavorable conditions and can be helpful in vegetation-free zones as an erosion control. Cautions About Pennyroyal Pennyroyal has been to relieve pain, gastrointestinal discomfort, soothe colds and to aid in menstruation problems. The plant has also been used to induce abortion, so it should never be handled or ingested by a pregnant woman.

HERE'S SOME PICTS OF MINTS :