THE BENEFITS OF THE USE OF PEPPERMINT
IN HERBAL PREPARATIONS
LOCATION OF PEPPERMINT
IN HERBAL PREPARATIONS
LOCATION OF PEPPERMINT
PEPPERMINT
by Susie Ransom
by Susie Ransom
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The first botanical description of peppermint was by Linnaeus from plants he had collected in England. He treated this mint as a species, but it is now universally agreed to be a hybrid. A modern description states: “It is a herbaceous rhizomatous perennial plant growing 2-4 feet tall, with smooth stems, square in cross section. The rhizomes are wide spreading, fleshy, and bear fibrous roots. The leaves are from 2 to more inches in length and ¾ “ to 1 ½ “ broad, dark green with reddish veins, and with an acute apex and coarsely toothed margins. The leaves and stems are usually slightly hairy. The flowers are purple with a four-lobed corolla; they are produced in whorls around the stem, forming thick, blunt spikes. Flowering is from mid to late summer.” (7)
Mrs. M. Grieve describes peppermint basically the same but adds, “the flowers rarely bear seeds. The entire plant has a very characteristic odour, due to the volatile oil present, 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.” (8)
Peppermint grows best in areas having moist, loosely textured, sandy soil that is rich in humus. It seems to thrive best and grow well in sunlight, but some plants will grow equally as well in partially shaded areas. Always keep the peppermint well watered for optimum growth.
The best way to propagate peppermint is by using stem cuttings taken from well established plants just before they bloom, or the cutting can be taken by dividing existing plants into many parts during the early spring. Plant these starts at least 18 inches apart. It will spread and grow well once the roots are established. Peppermint produces underground runners or stolons. These cause the mint to spread. If the garden in which the herb is planted is not one in which the mint should spread, then take precautions to keep this from happening. This could be digging up the runners every spring, sticking some dividers into the soil (minimum depth of 12 inches) around the area where the mint should stay, or by planting the starts in large containers with good drainage holes.
The planted mint must be renewed once every 2 to 3 years by carefully dividing and replanting the roots. New garden spots are ideal for the growth of peppermint, as this mint in particular, does not grow very well in the same location for more than a few years at a time without considerable work done to keep the soil right.
The leaves and stem tips of the peppermint can be harvested fresh for immediate use at any time, once the plants have reached full growth, or about 6 inches tall. The best flavor can be assured if the flowers are picked off before they bloom. To induce better drying conditions, the stems can be cut to just above the lowest set of leaves of the herb. Ideally, the harvesting of the peppermint should be carried out before the flowering season. This can be done by carefully cutting the stems in the morning after the dew dries. The wild peppermint plant is less suitable for drying because cultivated plants usually have more and better oil content. (9)
(7) Wikipedia, www.en.wikipedia.org Peppermint p. 1
(8) Grieve, M. Mrs. A Modern Herbal Vol. II p. 537
(9) herbs2000 www.herbs2000.com Peppermint p. 3
Mrs. M. Grieve describes peppermint basically the same but adds, “the flowers rarely bear seeds. The entire plant has a very characteristic odour, due to the volatile oil present, 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.” (8)
Peppermint grows best in areas having moist, loosely textured, sandy soil that is rich in humus. It seems to thrive best and grow well in sunlight, but some plants will grow equally as well in partially shaded areas. Always keep the peppermint well watered for optimum growth.
The best way to propagate peppermint is by using stem cuttings taken from well established plants just before they bloom, or the cutting can be taken by dividing existing plants into many parts during the early spring. Plant these starts at least 18 inches apart. It will spread and grow well once the roots are established. Peppermint produces underground runners or stolons. These cause the mint to spread. If the garden in which the herb is planted is not one in which the mint should spread, then take precautions to keep this from happening. This could be digging up the runners every spring, sticking some dividers into the soil (minimum depth of 12 inches) around the area where the mint should stay, or by planting the starts in large containers with good drainage holes.
The planted mint must be renewed once every 2 to 3 years by carefully dividing and replanting the roots. New garden spots are ideal for the growth of peppermint, as this mint in particular, does not grow very well in the same location for more than a few years at a time without considerable work done to keep the soil right.
The leaves and stem tips of the peppermint can be harvested fresh for immediate use at any time, once the plants have reached full growth, or about 6 inches tall. The best flavor can be assured if the flowers are picked off before they bloom. To induce better drying conditions, the stems can be cut to just above the lowest set of leaves of the herb. Ideally, the harvesting of the peppermint should be carried out before the flowering season. This can be done by carefully cutting the stems in the morning after the dew dries. The wild peppermint plant is less suitable for drying because cultivated plants usually have more and better oil content. (9)
(7) Wikipedia, www.en.wikipedia.org Peppermint p. 1
(8) Grieve, M. Mrs. A Modern Herbal Vol. II p. 537
(9) herbs2000 www.herbs2000.com Peppermint p. 3