Origin Of Mint
Mentha, commonly known as mint, is a member of the mint family – Lamiaceae. Mint is a genus of 25 fragrant herbs indigenous to North America, Eurasia, southern Africa, and Australia. Mentha is found in many places, especially in areas with a mild climate, and they have become common plants there.
Some varieties of mint, especially peppermint and spearmint, are used as a flavoring in foods such as candy and gum and for liqueur and dentifrices. Some species of mint are beneficial in traditional medicine, and its essential oil can be added to perfumes as scents.
Mint is a global plant, and it spreads wide like a weed. It is a popular aromatic plant because of the medicinal properties of its leaves and menthol present in it. They also add flavor to dishes.
Mint is a perennial plant. Its propagation is by pollination – a reproduction method of flowering plants by insects such as bees or through their rhizomes, the horizontal root-type structure containing food reserves.
Some varieties have small bluish-white, mauve, pale purple, white, pink, or lilac flowers. They are often arranged in groups, forming whorls or crowded together in a terminal spike. They are different from other family members because they have four united petals instead of five.
Mints usually grow in moist soil. The name ‘mint’ is assumed to come from a nymph called Minthe, which was transformed into a plant in Greek lore.
Nutritional Composition Of Mint
The nutrient composition in a 100 gram of mint leaves include:
- Calories 70
- Total Fat 0.9g
- Saturated Fat 0.2g
- Sodium 31mg
- Total Carbohydrate 15g
- Dietary Fiber 8g
- Protein 3.8g
- Calcium 243.00mg
- Iron 5.08mg
- Potassium 569mg
Medicinal Properties And Uses
Below are some of the medicinal benefits and uses.
- Patients with irritable bowels can take peppermint oil capsules to reduce the symptoms.
- Peppermint oil relieves digestive symptoms associated with indigestion by speeding food movement in the stomach.
- Mint essential oils prevent and treat nipple cracks and pain associated with breastfeeding; thus, it is very effective in treating breastfeeding pain.
- Taking mint relieves cold and flu symptoms by subjectively improving through the nose.
- Chewing gum and breath mints can temporarily suppress bad breath for a few hours. Chewing the leaves and peppermint tea help to reduce the bacteria that cause bad breath.
- They are beneficial to asthmatic patients due to its soothing effects.
- They contains anti-inflammatory properties; it relieves congestion and relaxes the nerves.
- Chewing the leaves or mint tablets promote freshness of breath.
- The anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties in mints traditionally help treat acne and pimples. Mint reduces the chances of acne affecting the skin.
How To Grow
Growing them requires prior knowledge on some requirements such as sun and soil, planting, watering, and nursery and transplanting. Below are the requirements:
Yield Information
Mint takes about 90 days to reach maturity when planted from seed. This implies that the mint plant has reached about 1 to 2 feet, and harvest can occur. At 1 to 2 feet height, you can cut down mint to 1 inch above the soil, and it will regrow to harvest height in a month and a half or so.
Averagely, the plant yields 20 tones of fresh herbage per hectare in two harvests which can produce about 250 kg of oil annually. Dry the foliage for almost a day before distillation.
Nursery And Transplant Requirements
The most suitable way to propagate mint is by planting cuttings of the rooted stem, and cuttings should be about 6-inches long. Cuttings are planted horizontally into the soil. Cuttings from an established plant should be small. Mint is at its best when kept in a pot.
If you prefer to plant in the ground, first, plant in a pot, then plant the pot in the ground. You can dig up and transplant to a larger pot in subsequent years if need be.
Ensure that your mint plants have enough water and the soil is always humid. Water plant once or twice a day if it is required.
Space mint plants 18 to 24 inches apart. Pots are more suitable for growing mints to prevent the plants from spreading and taking over the garden.
Soil And Sun Requirements
The soil requirement for planting them is moist, rich soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0. Cover the soil with a little mulch to prevent evaporation of moisture from the soil. Plant mint in a sunny location to receive at least 5 hours of sunlight daily. An indoor mint plant must be exposed to sunlight.
Watering Requirements
They requires frequent watering; the soil must always be moist at all times. Avoid overwatering to prevent the soil from being too wet.
Planting And Spacing Requirements
These plants are spreading plants; you will only require one or two plants; hence, they will spread. The spacing requirement for planting is mint 2 meters apart if the plants are more than 2.
Harvesting Of Mint
Harvesting mint from time to time will keep the plants at their best. Mint can be plucked as soon as the leaves appear and when you need it. Young leaves have more flavor than old ones; hence, you should harvest early. Mint plants can be harvested two to three times in a growing season.
Storage Of Method
Mint leaves can be frozen or air-dried in bunches. Although its fresh form is best, you can keep it in water for a few days.
Diseases and Pests
Some of the diseases and pests include:
Mint Rust
Mint rust is a disease caused by fungi. It causes small, dusty, or brown pustules on the underside of leaves and the death of leaves tissue. You can control mint rust by removing infected plants and immersing roots in hot water.
Aphids
These are small-bodied insects on the underside of leaves. Stunted growth and yellow leaves are the symptoms of aphids infestation. You can control aphids by pruning out infected parts using reflective mulches.
Cutworms
This insect causes stems of young plants to be severed at the soil line, irregular holes on the surface of leaves. It is controlled by removing all plants from the soil after harvest.
Spider Mites
Spider mites are an arachnid. Symptoms include yellow leaves, webbing covering leaves, and dropping leaves from plants. Spider mites are controlled by spraying plants with a strong jet of water.
Conclusion
Not only does mint have a myriad of health benefits, but it also packs a punch of antioxidants and essential nutrients. Its powerful properties aid digestion, alleviate indigestion, and soothe an upset stomach. Plus, its antimicrobial powers work wonders for oral health, keeping bad breath and gum issues at bay. And let’s not forget its anti-inflammatory effects, which can provide much-needed relief for respiratory conditions like asthma.
Their rich menthol content serves as a powerful decongestant, facilitating smooth breathing. Not only that, but this herb has the potential to alleviate stress and boost cognitive abilities. Whether incorporated into cooking or sipped as an herbal infusion, it’s invigorating scent and taste make it a sought-after ingredient. It’s clear that this herb not only elevates flavors but also contributes to our overall health and vitality.