MINT

Let's start with a little history of mint! In the Middle Ages you would find mint in most monastery gardens. It was used to cure mouth sores, whiten teeth, heal dog bites and wasp stings and used in preventing milk from curdling. It repels mice and rats, too.
The Romans believed that by eating mint, you have have an increased intelligence level and have relief from headaches. They rubbed tabletops with mint for it symbolized hospitality.
The scent of mint was suppose to help relieve people from a bad temper. And in California the University there shows that it increases concentration! Some companies in Japan pipe mint oil through the ac system to invigorate workers-increasing productivity!
The 'real' name for mint is "Mentha" All mints are perennials and most need a moist soil with sun to partly shade-however, it grows in most shade too. Most mints produce seeds, but it may not be the same variety as you started with, so propogate by division, root cuttings or runners.
PLANT IT-FOR IT WILL GROW!! Most mints grow to be about 6-12" tall. Garden Centers carry a variety of about 12 different common mints. Some varieties are: Spearmint-(mentha x spicata) associated with chewing gum. It has been used in healing kidney inflamations.Curly Mint-a form of spearmint which has curly, bright green leaves which is used alot in mint sauces. Horsemint-menths alopecurioides This mint grows to be 6-7 feet tall and is the earliest known mint to be used for medicinal purposes. It was simmered in vinagar to cure dandruff in Medieval Times. Watermint-Mentha aquatica-is a low growing mint found often in England. It needs semi-shade and was used in the Middle Ages as a strewing herb. It grows to be about 39" tall. Pennyroyal-also known as creeping mint-mentha saturelioides-This is a Native Australian mint used in repeling fleas and flies, and bed bugs. Forest Mint, Slender Mint and River Mint are also Native Australian Mints.
Other mints that are fairly common include: Round leaf mint, red mint, lemon mint, ginger mint, egyptian mint, corsican mint, camhore mint, peppermint, bergamont, lavendar mint, basil mint, vietnamese mint, white peppermint, black peppermint, pineapple mint, apple mint, and variegated apple mint.
The only problem mint may have in growing is rust. This is a reddish orange patch on leaves. It is caused by temperature flucuations. The plant will usually come out of it if it is only a small patch of it, but if a large patch appears, cut the plant back.
To control mint-move it once in a while to a new location. Or plant it in drain pipes buried in the ground or plant it every year in a above gound planter. Some people plant low growing mints as a ground cover or lawn.
When drying mint, you will notice some of the flavor is gone. Hang mint in bunches in a brown paper bag until leaves are dry enough to crumble. Fill an airtight jar and it will keep for 1 year. You can freeze mint by placing on a cookie sheet and freeze until solid-then place in a plastic bag and store in freezer for up to one year.

Try these recipes out!

MINT HONEY: Warm 8 oz. of honey and add 1 tablespoon mint leaves. Seal in a jar and place it where it is warm for three weeks. Heat the honey again to where it runs freely and strain out the mint leaves. This honey will last for years and it it should candy, just warm it up a bit again!
MINT FOOT POWDER: Combine 1 cup talcum powder, 1/2 cup cornstarch, 1 tspn peppermint oil, and 1 tspn vinegar. Keep in sealed jar and use as a dusting powder for the foot!
MINT TEA FOR NAUSEA: 1 part each: chamomile, lemon balm, and fennel seed, 2 parts spearmint, and 12 parts peppermint. Let steep in hot water, and sip when needed. Not to be used by pregnant ladies.

Write to me, Kathie Schmitt!