![]() ![]() The “cooling” sensation we feel and taste with mint is a nervous system illusion caused by menthol, one of mint’s essential oils. Mint, peppermint in particular, is also helpful in easing headaches, even if you just smell it. It can be used in a face freshener to combat acne, and it is used in muscle rubs, foot powder, toothpaste and other hygiene products. In addition to culinary uses - teas, juices, fruit, vegetable, and even meat dishes –mint has health and beauty uses. Mints tend to repel ants, white cabbage moths, rodents and other pests and so they make good planting companions for cabbage, broccoli and tomatoes. Mint has a multitude of uses, in both the garden and home. Assertively growing is code for “it takes over the garden.” It can be contained by a 10-inch deep, underground barrier that rises above ground a bit. Mint’s assertively growing stolons (underground horizontal stem structures) help it survive and spread in moist soil. Mint leaf colors vary with species and can range from dark green to nearly yellow. Mints are identified by their erect, square stems, opposite, and oblong serrate leaves. Even at retail, new variations of mint seem to abound, I just picked up one labeled ‘chocolate mint,’ which actually tastes like one of those Andy’s candy mints. That way you can identify what you are getting. And, that’s why it’s recommended to get new plants from divisions not seeds. suaveolens).īecause mints readily hybridize among species, unlimited variations on the theme exist. There are many identified species such as spearmint ( M. Mentha is a diverse genus with more than 600 recognized plants. ![]() It really shouldn’t be so hard to find the right mint products at retail. It can be so tricky to find treats, or even toothpaste, with spearmint, my preferred mint flavor. It used to sadden me to find a giant peppermint candy cane in my Christmas stocking. ![]() Yes, I love those Andy’s brand brown-and-green chocolate layered mints, but let’s be honest they are more about the chocolate. I have never really been a fan of peppermint. By Jen Lenharth, NorthEast Seacoast Unit – HSA, Guest Blogger ![]()
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