Peppermint

Peppermint

Mentha × piperita
Mentha nigricans

The Plant:
Peppermint is highly invasive and easy to grow plant used to flavor multiple treats, from peppermint patties to candy canes.  While there are many different varieties of mint, peppermint is the most commonly used for medicinal and culinary purposes.  It is a natural hybrid cross between M. aquatica (water mint) and M. spicata (spearmint), native to Europe.  While peppermint as it is know today was first described in the 17th century, other varieties of mint have played an important role in the customs and mythology of ancient peoples.  Today, peppermint is cultivated for its essential oil, of which the US is a major supplier.

A myth about mint…

“Near Pylos, towards the east, is a mountain named after Minthe, who, according to myth, became the concubine of Haides, was trampled under foot by Kore [Persephone], and was transformed into garden-mint, the plant which some call Hedyosmos. Furthermore, near the mountain is a precinct sacred to Haides.” – Strabo, Geography 8.3.14

From http://www.theoi.com/Nymphe/NympheMinthe.html

Botanical Charachteristics:

The leaves of this kind of mint are shortly but distinctly stalked, 2 inches or more in length, and 3/4 to 1 1/2 inches broad, their margins finely toothed, their surfaces smooth, both above and beneath, or only very slightly, hardly visibly, hairy on the principal veins and mid-rib on the underside. The stems, 2 to 4 feet high, are quadrangular, often purplish. The whorled clusters of little reddish-violet flowers are in the axils of the upper leaves, forming loose, interrupted spikes, and rarely bear seeds. The entire plant has a very characteristic odour, due to the volatile oil present in all its parts, which when applied to the tongue has a hot, aromatic taste at first, and afterwards produces a sensation of cold in the mouth caused by the menthol it contains.

From Mrs. Grieve’s A Modern Herbal at www.botanical.com

Growing Mint:
Mint is one of the easiest plants to grow…as long as you give it plenty of water and sun.  You can easily grow it in the ground (if you don’t mind a mint field) or in a container (a well lined container), and enjoy mint tea all year round!

Most of the time we are busy trying to just keep it tidy. The stolons of mint are some of the most aggressive in all the plant world. If you plant it in the ground, the first year you wonder what all the fuss is about. The second year you find a few stray sprouts and by the third year it is climbing in the bedroom window. Mint will grow 20 feet under weedblock and come out the other side and with no water in mid summer. Mint spreads two ways, by runners and by seed. Those sprouts that shoot up from the broadcasted seed will probably not be the same as the parent they came from.

They will probably smell rank and taste worse. Plant your mint where you can control it. Don’t think just because you put it in a pot that is sufficient. Keep your eye on the pots too: mint can crack clay pots and escape into the neighboring area. Unless you want mint everywhere, grub out all those pesky runners that find their way into the soil as soon as possible. Once those runner’s roots really take hold and the other plants grow around them, that space will be mint for life. Don’t put more than one kind of mint in a pot. If you mix your different kinds of mints up in the same pot, either one mint will smother the rest or they will get so mixed up, it will be difficult to tell them apart.

Mint likes full sun and lots of water. If you put your mint in the shade, it will grow floppy and the flavor will not be as strong as when you grow it in the sun. Mint is hardy to zone 5 and likes almost any garden soil. It enjoys a damp location, though, and rich soil. Mint planted outdoors should be mulched heavily to protect against frost. Mint is a perennial herb and when grown in pots needs to be divided every year.

from http://www.mintrubbing.org/themintplant.pdf

Cool idea for growing mint:
Plant your mint in a colander…it will grow out the holes in the container, and you end up with a big hanging ball of mint.

Harvesting Tips:
Harvest mint in the morning after the dew dries.  This is the time when most plants have the highest amount of essential oil.  Mint can be preserved by hanging it in bundles upside down to dry.  As with other herbs, store in a cool, dark place in glass containers.

Medicinal Use:
Peppermint has calming and numbing properties.  It can help treat headaches, skin irritations, menstrual cramps, and digestive complaints. It helps relieve congestion in chest rubs and it has antibacterial and antiviral properties.  Peppermint relaxes stomach muscles, improves bile flow (bile helps digest fat), and stimulates salivation.  For this reason, it can be used to improve appetite, relieve cramps, and reduce conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome, nausea, or motion sickness.

Peppermint can be used medicinally in tea form, as a tincture, in enteric-coated capsules (coated capsules that pass thru the stomach and into the intestine) and creams or ointments (should contain no more than 16% menthol).

To prepare peppermint tea:
Tea should be prepared from dried leaves of the plant and is widely available commercially, or can be prepared from 1 tbsp of dried peppermint in 1 cup of boiling water, allowed to steep for 10-15 min.

To prepare a peppermint tincture:
There are all sorts of ratios and such for tinctures…but for peppermint, its pretty foolproof, so don’t worry about it (I’ll cover tinctures later). Fill a jar halfway with chopped fresh peppermint, cover it with 80 proof vodka, and let it sit in a cool dark place for about 3 weeks, then strain and store in a cool dark place.
Another option is to  peppermint tincture can be prepared by adding 1 part peppermint oil (food grade, not essential oil) to 9 parts pure grain alcohol.

Dosagage:

Pediatric
Do not give peppermint to an infant or small child, because peppermint oil applied to the face of infants can cause life-threatening breathing problems. In addition, peppermint tea may cause a burning sensation in the mouth.
For digestion and upset stomach in older children: 1 – 2 mL peppermint glycerite per day

Adult
*   Tea: Steep 1 tsp. dried peppermint leaves in 1 cup boiling water for 10 minutes; strain and cool. Drink four to five times per day between meals. Peppermint tea appears to be safe even in large quantities.
*   Enteric-coated capsules: 1 – 2 capsules (0.2 ml of peppermint oil) two or three times per day for IBS
*   Tension headaches: Using a tincture of 10% peppermint oil to 90% ethanol, lightly coat the forehead and allow the tincture to evaporate.
*   Itching and skin irritations: Apply menthol, the active ingredient in peppermint, in a cream or ointment form no more than three to four times per day.

From http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/peppermint-000269.htm

Contraindications:
*Avoid ingesting peppermint if you have gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or hiatal hernia as it may worsen the symptoms of heartburn and indigestion.  Also, do not ingest peppermint if you have gallstones.
*Pregnant or nursing mothers should not use peppermint and peppermint tea.
*Peppermint oil should never be applied to the face of an infant or small child, as it may cause spasms that inhibit breathing.
*Large doses of peppermint oil can be toxic. Pure menthol is poisonous and should never be taken internally. It is important not to confuse oil and tincture preparations.
*Menthol or peppermint oil applied to the skin can cause a rash.
* Do not use peppermint if you take cyclosporine (drug usually prescribed for recipients of organ transplants), as it can reduce the absorption of the drug.
*Enteric-coated peppermint capsules may dissolve in the stomach instead of the intestines, if they are take with acid-reducing drugs, lessening its effectiveness. Peppermint should be taken at least 2 hours before or after an antacid such as Pepcid, Tagamet, Zantac, etc.

Essential Oil Properties:
Peppermint oil is generally a colorless liquid, with a distinctive smell and camphor-like taste.  Reportedly it can be kept as long as ten years, though the oil may mellow.  It blends especially well with eucalyptus, lavender, marjoram, lemon and rosemary.

The chemical components of peppermint oil are menthol, menthone, 1,8-cineole, methyl acetate, methofuran, isomenthone, limonene, b-pinene, a-pinene, germacrene-d, trans-sabinene hydrate, and pulegone.

Aromatheraputically, peppermint can be used to increase memory and alertness and decrease headaches and stress.Mood uplifting

Cosmetic Uses:
Peppermint is a common additive in shampoos, lotions, soaps, lip balms, etc…because it smells and feels, and makes you feel fantastic.

One of my FAVORITES is Dr. Bonner’s…but if you want to save some money, here are some DIY ideas:
*Try a face mask for oily skin from 2 tablespoons of finely (or food processed)chopped mint and 2 tablespoons of ground oatmeal mixed in enough yogurt to make a paste.  Apply to a clean face for 10 minutes, and rinse with warm water.
*For any type of skin, add a couple drops of peppermint oil to some honey, and apply in a thin layer to the face after washing, and then rinse with warm water.
* For happy feet, try adding 1-3 drops of peppermint oil to a tablespoon of any unscented lotion, or to aloe gel, add 2-5 drops of peppermint oil and 1/3 c baking powder to a basin of cool water and soak for a soak, or try making a peppermint salt scrub, to smooth away rough skin.
*For a hair treatment, try warming 1/2 cup olive oil and add 2 teaspoons ground lavender flowers, and two tablespoons of ground peppermint. Massage into scalp over damp hair. Cover hair with shower cap to keep heat in. Sit in the sun, if possible, for 20-25 minutes, then wash hair.

Magical Properties:

Gender: Feminine (alternatively, Masculine)*
Planet: Venus (alternatively, Mercury)*
Element: Air (alternatively, Fire)*

*depends on the source

Peppermint is commonly used in healing and cleansing/purification spells.  Other uses include consecration, dreams, healing, love/passion, happiness, abundance/prosperity, protection, psychic development, mental clarity, purification, release, divination, renewal, to increase positive energy and travel.

Culinary Use:

Peppermint in oil form is widely used in a variety of flavorings, however the herb itself is also used in its whole form in a variety of dishes from various cultures.
*Try chopping the leaves finely and make mint ice cubes or use it to make mint jelly for use with lamb dishes.
*Dry or freeze individual leaves or infuse with vinegar or oil to make salad dressings in the winter months.
*Mint makes some mean mixed drinks…

Recipes and Spells:

Pan-Grilled Lamb with Walnut-Mint Pesto
Skewered Rosemary Shrimp with Mint Pesto
Tandoori-Spiced Grilled Shrimp with Mint-Cilantro Chutney

Lemon Mint Toner
1 peppermint tea bag
1 cup boiling water
1/4 cup witch hazel
1 tablespoon lemon juice
Place tea bag in boiling water and steep for 15 minutes. Discard tea bag and allow liquid to cool. Add witch hazel and lemon juice and store in glass container in the refridgerator. Apply daily after cleansing face.
This toner is best on normal or slightly oily skin. It will remove any residue of dirt or make-up and close pores.

Peppermint foot scrub with Lavender
1 1/2 cups sea salt
1/4 cup sweet almond oil
2 drops peppermint essential oil
3 drops lavender essential oil
Combine the sea salt and almond oil and stir well to mix. If the mixture seems dry and does not hold well together in your hands, add almond oil by the tablespoon until you can scoop it comfortably. Add the essential oils last and stir well.
Rub Peppermint Lavender Foot Glow Scrub vigorously all over your feet and ankles. Pay special attention to your heels and the soles of your feet so they are thoroughly exfoliated. Rinse well with warm water and follow with a rich lotion or cream. Sleep in socks so the moisturizer is absorbed well into your skin.
From http://www.makeyourcosmetics.com
Rosemary Mint Foot Scrub
2 cups White Sugar
1/4 cup Liquid Soap Base (glycerine can be found at most drugstores)
3/4 cup Sunflower Oil
1 ml Peppermint Essential Oil
1 ml Spearmint Essential Oil
1/2 ml Rosemary Essential Oil
1/2 teaspoon crushed Grape Seeds or Raspberry Seeds
Mix all ingredients together. Pour into jars. And head to the bath!
From http://www.thesage.com

Watermelon Cooler
3 cups cubed seeded watermelon
2 sprigs peppermint, leaves plucked off
2 teaspoons honey (optional)
10 ice cubes
Place the watermelon, peppermint leaves, honey, and ice cubes into a blender.
Cover, and puree until smooth. Serve immediately.

Mint Julep
4 fresh mint sprigs
2 1/2 oz bourbon whiskey
1 tsp powdered sugar
2 tsp water
Muddle mint leaves, powdered sugar, and water in a collins glass. Fill the glass with shaved or crushed ice and add bourbon. Top with more ice and garnish with a mint sprig. Serve with a straw.

Peppermint Cheescake
I haven’t tried this…but oreos and cheesecake and peppermint can’t be bad (and if it is, I will be SO disappointed)
1/4 cups, Water
1/2 cups, Sugar
3 tablespoons, Butter
1/2 cups, Milk
1 count, Gelatin
16 fluid ounces, Cream cheese
1 cup, Heavy whipping cream
1/4 cups, Peppermint candy
1 cup, Oreos
2 counts, Milk chocolate
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Crush the oreos in a ziplock bag with a rolling pin if needed to make about 1 c.
Combine crumbs and butter; press onto bottom of 9″ springform pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes. Cool.
Soften gelatin in cold water; stir over low heat until dissolved.
Combine cream cheese and sugar, mixing on electric mixer until well blended.
Gradually add gelatin, milk and peppermint candy, mixing until blended; chill until slightly thickened.
Fold in whipped cream and chocolate.
Pour over crust; chill until firm.
Garnish with additional whipped cream and peppermint candy, if desired.
Peppermint Schnapps
10 c. water
6 c. sugar
1 oz. peppermint flavoring
1 pt. (190 proof alcohol) Everclear
Boil sugar and water 1 minute. Cool completely and add peppermint flavoring and Everclear.

Resources:
http://www.botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/m/mints-39.html
http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/peppermint-000269.htm
http://www.herbsociety.co.uk/hom-mint.htm
http://www.mintrubbing.org/themintplant.pdf
http://pollen.utulsa.edu/Medical%20Botany%202004/Peppermint%20Oil%20(Mentha%20Piperita).ppt#274,29,Safety

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