Difference between revisions of "Spearmint" - New World Encyclopedia
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Spearmint grows well in nearly all temperate climates. While thriving in rich, moist soil and in semi-shade (Hanrahan and Frey 2005), spearmint can grow in full sun to mostly shade. It is best suited to loamy soils with plenty of organic material. Gardeners often grow it in pots or planters due to its invasive spreading roots. | Spearmint grows well in nearly all temperate climates. While thriving in rich, moist soil and in semi-shade (Hanrahan and Frey 2005), spearmint can grow in full sun to mostly shade. It is best suited to loamy soils with plenty of organic material. Gardeners often grow it in pots or planters due to its invasive spreading roots. | ||
| − | Spearmint leaves can be used whole, chopped, dried and ground, frozen, preserved in salt, sugar, sugar syrup, alcohol, oil, or dried. The leaves lose their aromatic appeal after the plant flowers. It can be dried by cutting it just before, or right (at peak) as the flowers open, about 1/2 to 3/4ths the way down the sock (leaving smaller shoots room to grow). There is some dispute as to what drying method works best; some prefer different materials (such as plastic or cloth) and different lighting conditions (such as darkness or sunlight). | + | Spearmint leaves can be used whole, chopped, dried and ground, frozen, preserved in salt, sugar, sugar syrup, alcohol, oil, or dried. The leaves lose their aromatic appeal after the plant flowers. It can be dried by cutting it just before, or right (at peak) as the flowers open, about 1/2 to 3/4ths the way down the sock (leaving smaller shoots room to grow). There is some dispute as to what drying method works best; some prefer different materials (such as plastic or cloth) and different lighting conditions (such as darkness or sunlight). The essential oil is typically extracted by steam distillation. |
There are different cultivars. The [[cultivar]] ''Mentha spicata'' Nana, the Nana mint of [[Morocco]], possesses a clear, pungent, but mild aroma and is an essential ingredient of [[Touareg tea]]. | There are different cultivars. The [[cultivar]] ''Mentha spicata'' Nana, the Nana mint of [[Morocco]], possesses a clear, pungent, but mild aroma and is an essential ingredient of [[Touareg tea]]. | ||
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| + | *invasive weed | ||
==Uses== | ==Uses== | ||
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===Culinary=== | ===Culinary=== | ||
| − | Spearmint | + | Both the essential oil and the leaves are used for culinary purposes. The oil is used as a flavoring for [[toothpaste]], [[confectionery]], chewing gum, shaving cream, liqueurs, and medicines, and is sometimes added to shampoos and soaps. Spearmint leaves are used to flavor teas, soups, and stews, with the dried leaves used to season meat (such as lamb), fish, and vegetable dishes (Hanrahan and Frey 2005). |
| + | |||
| + | Spearmint also serves as an an ingredient in several mixed drinks, such as the [[mojito]] and [[mint julep]]. | ||
| + | |||
| + | In early America, spearmint tea was a popular drink at the time of the American Revolution because it was not taxed by the English and spearmint was important as a cash crop in Connecticut at that time. The tea also was popular during the Civil War, when the imported black teas were not as readily available (Hanrahan and Frey 2005). | ||
===Medicinal=== | ===Medicinal=== | ||
| + | Fresh and dried leaves and the essential oil are used medicinally. Spearmint is steeped as tea for the treatment of digestive disorders, stomach ache, colic, and flatulence as a result of its carminative and antispasmodic properties. It is used for relief of nausea and motion sickness, and is a diuretic that is said to be useful in cases of painful or suppressed urination. Spearmint's high vitamin A and vitamin C content has been used to prevent and treat [[scurvy]], improve eyesight, and reduce night blindness, as well as bring a sparkle to dull eyes. It may have antibacterial properties as well (Hanrahan and Frey 2005). | ||
| + | |||
| + | Recent research has shown that spearmint tea may be used as a treatment for mild [[hirsutism]] in women. Its anti-androgenic properties reduce the level of free testosterone in the blood, while leaving total testosterone and DHEA unaffected (BBC 2007). | ||
| − | + | ==References== | |
| − | + | <ref>BBC http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/6376599.stm Tea 'controls female facial hair growth' </ref> | |
| + | Tuesday, 20 February 2007, 08:46 GMT | ||
| + | E-mail this to a friend Printable version | ||
| + | Tea 'controls female hair growth' | ||
| − | |||
.<ref name=blamey>Blamey, M. & Grey-Wilson, C. (1989). ''Flora of Britain and Northern Europe''. ISBN 0-340-40170-2</ref> | .<ref name=blamey>Blamey, M. & Grey-Wilson, C. (1989). ''Flora of Britain and Northern Europe''. ISBN 0-340-40170-2</ref> | ||
Revision as of 23:42, 5 January 2009
- "Spearmint" redirects here.
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| Mentha spicata L. |
Spearmint, or spear mint, is the common name for a species of mint, Mentha spicata, characterized by oblong or lance-shaped serrated leaves and a tapering cluster of small purplish flowers. This herbaceous, rhizomatous, perennial plant is native to Europe and Asia. It is well-known for an essential oil that is widely used for culinary and medicinal purposes. Other names include sage of Bethlehem, garden mint, Our Lady's mint, and spire mint.
Spearmint is grown for its aromatic and carminative oil, referred to as oil of spearmint.
Overview and description
Spearmint, Mentha spicata, is one of about 25 species of herbaceous plants in the Mentha genus and Lamiaceae family. Members of this genus are aromatic, almost exclusively perennial plants and are known as the mints. (or "true mints," to distinguish them from the other members of the mint family, Lamiaceae). The true mints are characterized by wide-spreading, underground rhizomes; paired, oppositely arranged leaves; small, tubular flowers arranged in clusters, and square stems. All Mentha species are characterized by an essential oil (volatile oil) in resinous dots in the foliage.
Spearmint is a species of mint native to much of Europe and southwest Asia, though its exact natural range is uncertain due to extensive early cultivation. It grows best in rich, wet soils and semi-shade (Blamey and Grey-Wilson 1989; Hanrahan and Frey 2005).
Spearmint is a hardy perennial herb that grows to about 30 to 100 centimeters (12-39 inches) in height and has a wide-spreading fleshy underground rhizome. The leaves are bright green, veined, about 5 to 9 centimeters (2-3.5 inches) long and 1.5 to 3 centimeters (0.6-1 inches) broad, with a serrated margin, that is unevenly toothed. The stems and foliage range from hairless to hairy. Spearmint produces small flowers in slender spikes, clustered at the tip of the green or purple stem, and tapering to nearly a point. The central spike may be flanked by one or more flowering stems. Each flower is from pale to deep violet in color and about 2.5 to 3 millimeters long and broad. Each of the small, tubular flowers has two long and two short stamens. The seeds are tiny, round, and brown (Blamey and Grey-Wilson 1989; Hanrahan and Frey 2005; Huxley 1992).
There are many Hybrids involving spearmint. Peppermint is an aromatic, natural hybrid, (Mentha × piperita, that is a cross between watermint (Mentha aquatica) and spearmint. Other hybrids with spearmint include Mentha × gracilis (ginger mint, syn. M. cardiaca; hybrid with Mentha arvensis) and Mentha × villosa (large apple mint, hybrid with Mentha suaveolens) (Blamey and Grey-Wilson 1989).
A major component of the essential oil of spearmint is R-carvone; pure R-carvone is sufficient to produce a smell which people identify as a spearmint smell (Leitereg et al. 1971).
The name spearmint derives from the pointed leaf tips (Turner 1568).
Cultivation
Spearmint grows well in nearly all temperate climates. While thriving in rich, moist soil and in semi-shade (Hanrahan and Frey 2005), spearmint can grow in full sun to mostly shade. It is best suited to loamy soils with plenty of organic material. Gardeners often grow it in pots or planters due to its invasive spreading roots.
Spearmint leaves can be used whole, chopped, dried and ground, frozen, preserved in salt, sugar, sugar syrup, alcohol, oil, or dried. The leaves lose their aromatic appeal after the plant flowers. It can be dried by cutting it just before, or right (at peak) as the flowers open, about 1/2 to 3/4ths the way down the sock (leaving smaller shoots room to grow). There is some dispute as to what drying method works best; some prefer different materials (such as plastic or cloth) and different lighting conditions (such as darkness or sunlight). The essential oil is typically extracted by steam distillation.
There are different cultivars. The cultivar Mentha spicata Nana, the Nana mint of Morocco, possesses a clear, pungent, but mild aroma and is an essential ingredient of Touareg tea.
- invasive weed
Uses
Since ancient times, spearmint has been known as a herb of hospitality, and has been used for both culinary and medicinal purposes (Hanrahan and Frey 2005).
Culinary
Both the essential oil and the leaves are used for culinary purposes. The oil is used as a flavoring for toothpaste, confectionery, chewing gum, shaving cream, liqueurs, and medicines, and is sometimes added to shampoos and soaps. Spearmint leaves are used to flavor teas, soups, and stews, with the dried leaves used to season meat (such as lamb), fish, and vegetable dishes (Hanrahan and Frey 2005).
Spearmint also serves as an an ingredient in several mixed drinks, such as the mojito and mint julep.
In early America, spearmint tea was a popular drink at the time of the American Revolution because it was not taxed by the English and spearmint was important as a cash crop in Connecticut at that time. The tea also was popular during the Civil War, when the imported black teas were not as readily available (Hanrahan and Frey 2005).
Medicinal
Fresh and dried leaves and the essential oil are used medicinally. Spearmint is steeped as tea for the treatment of digestive disorders, stomach ache, colic, and flatulence as a result of its carminative and antispasmodic properties. It is used for relief of nausea and motion sickness, and is a diuretic that is said to be useful in cases of painful or suppressed urination. Spearmint's high vitamin A and vitamin C content has been used to prevent and treat scurvy, improve eyesight, and reduce night blindness, as well as bring a sparkle to dull eyes. It may have antibacterial properties as well (Hanrahan and Frey 2005).
Recent research has shown that spearmint tea may be used as a treatment for mild hirsutism in women. Its anti-androgenic properties reduce the level of free testosterone in the blood, while leaving total testosterone and DHEA unaffected (BBC 2007).
ReferencesISBN links support NWE through referral fees
Tuesday, 20 February 2007, 08:46 GMT
E-mail this to a friend Printable version Tea 'controls female hair growth'
.[2]
- Hanrahan, C., and R. J. Frey. 2005. Spearmint. In J. L. Longe, The Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine. Farmington Hills, MI: Thomson/Gale. ISBN 0787693960.
Gallery
Plant in flower
flowers
1887 illustration
| Herbs and spices | |
|---|---|
| Herbs | Angelica • Basil • Basil, holy • Basil, Thai • Bay leaf • Boldo • Borage • Cannabis • Chervil • Chives • Coriander leaf (cilantro) • Curry leaf • Dill • Epazote • Eryngium foetidum (long coriander) • Hoja santa • Houttuynia cordata (giấp cá) • Hyssop • Lavender • Lemon balm • Lemon grass • Lemon verbena • Limnophila aromatica (rice paddy herb) • Lovage • Marjoram • Mint • Mitsuba • Oregano • Parsley • Perilla (shiso) • Rosemary • Rue • Sage • Savory • Sorrel • Stevia • Tarragon • Thyme • Vietnamese coriander (rau răm) • Woodruff |
| Spices | African pepper • Ajwain (bishop's weed) • Aleppo pepper • Allspice • Amchur (mango powder) • Anise • Aromatic ginger • Asafoetida • Camphor • Caraway • Cardamom • Cardamom, black • Cassia • Cayenne pepper • Celery seed • Chili • Cinnamon • Clove • Coriander seed • Cubeb • Cumin • Cumin, black • Dill seed • Fennel • Fenugreek • Fingerroot (krachai) • Galangal, greater • Galangal, lesser • Garlic • Ginger • Grains of Paradise • Horseradish • Juniper berry • Liquorice • Mace • Mahlab • Malabathrum (tejpat) • Mustard, black • Mustard, brown • Mustard, white • Nasturtium • Nigella (kalonji) • Nutmeg • Paprika • Pepper, black • Pepper, green • Pepper, long • Pepper, pink, Brazilian • Pepper, pink, Peruvian • Pepper, white • Pomegranate seed (anardana) • Poppy seed • Saffron • Sarsaparilla • Sassafras • Sesame • Sichuan pepper (huājiāo, sansho) • Star anise • Sumac • Tasmanian pepper • Tamarind • Turmeric • Wasabi • Zedoary |
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- ↑ BBC http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/6376599.stm Tea 'controls female facial hair growth'
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Blamey, M. & Grey-Wilson, C. (1989). Flora of Britain and Northern Europe. ISBN 0-340-40170-2
- ↑ Huxley, A., ed. (1992). New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. Macmillan ISBN 0-333-47494-5.
- ↑ TJ Leitereg, DG Guadagni, J Harris, TR Mon, ... (1971). Chemical and sensory data supporting the difference between the odors of the enantiomeric carvones. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry 19 (4): 785.
- ↑ Turner, W. (1568). Herbal. Cited in the Oxford English Dictionary.
