Peppermint
Given Name: Mentha x piperita
Nicknames: mitcham mint, American mint, brandy mint, lamb mint, lammint
Family: Lamiaceae
More is better, right? More smell, more taste, more me!
Why would I want to be subtle when my smell can fill a room and just one nibble of my leaf can knock your socks off? Why should I reign myself in when my above ground and underground stems allow me to sprawl across your garden, providing you with as much of my smelly, tasty goodness as possible?
Oh, I love being out there! I love being noticed! I love it when everyone knows my name!
And the winter holiday season is always the best for that! I get even more attention than usual. I'm everywhere: chocolate mints, candy canes, peppermint lattes, peppermint cookies, etc, etc, etc. Then after all that crunchy, sticky, smooth, sweet pepperminty goodness, you clean your teeth with more of me!!! You've gone completely bonkers for me! And why wouldn't you? On top of my oh-so-appealing refreshingly cool flavour, I'm also a magnificent healer!
Although you can't taste it, like with my spicy relatives, wild bergamot, thyme and oregano, I'm a warming herb so I improve your circulation (something that we all can appreciate on these cold January days).
I'm also an amphoteric nervine. An ampho-what-ic what-what, you say? Did I mean amphibian? No, I may be silly but I'm not delusional.
Amphoteric nervine is a fancy way of saying that I can either help you relax or feel perky depending on what your body needs.
Whoawhoawhoa- that sounds like pretty out-there, hippie-dippie, magic, right? Nope- not at all! It's just because I support your nervous system and when it's functioning well, it can tell what you have energy for: a nap or a dance party. This quality of mine, makes me great for helping with anxiety and depression- and who doesn't feel a bit stressed or blue at this dark, cold and busy time of year?
You know what else can help get us through these winter months besides me? Big, over-the-top stories! And, boy, do I have a good one to start with! Its about me- well, my ancestors really (believe it or not, I'm a recent hybrid of water mint and spearmint so past civilizations had to settle for less pungent and potent forms of mint). But for the sake of the story, I'm going to tell it as if it were me.
Long, long ago, according to Greek mythology, I was a nymph named Minthe or Menthe. I must have been quite enchanting because I caught the attention of Pluto and became his girlfriend. I'm sure this was lovely except for one minor hitch- Pluto was already hitched! To the Goddess Persephone. Yikes, right? You can tell this isn't going to be an “...and they lived happily ever after” story. So, of course when Persephone found out she was angry and, like any self-respecting Goddess would do, she turned me into a plant: specifically a plain looking, ground-clinging plant that people could step on. I mean, I guess I understand why she would do it but why should I have to spend the rest of eternity clambering for lost love and attention when it was Pluto who did something wrong? Well, at least Pluto gave me one last gift: mint's uniquely captivating smell and taste.
What a story! Now I can't say whether it's true or not but it does explain my insatiable desire to be noticed.
But it's not just me- my whole Mentha family is so eager for attention that we'll even treat people's farts! It's actually what we've become known for through history. As far back as 1550 BC, the ancient Egyptian Ebers Papyrus recommended us specifically for flatulence and other digestive issues. Even now restaurants often give out peppermint candies after a meal- ooops sorry! Maybe this is a bad time to mention restaurants... with the Covid situation and all. But speaking of viruses, lab tests have shown that among other properties (antimicrobial, antioxidant and anti-tumor to be specific), I have “significant” antiviral properties (McKay & Blumberg, 2006). Oh, don't you go jumping to conclusions- although I'm fabulous, I have my limitations! I will certainly help your body when it's fighting a virus but I'm not a cure.
Have you heard enough about me now or shall I go on? What a silly question! Of course I should go on.
Although my dark green opposite leaves with purple undersides and small, white, irregular flowers are not much to look at (thanks, Persephone!), my 1-2 foot tall fast growing clumps provide shelter and nectar for insect friends. But that doesn't mean that all insects appreciate me. Some are confused or outright repelled by my strong smell. Either way, this superpower, as I like to call it, can be really helpful.
For example, if you plant me with cabbages, I keep away those pesky (ie crop ruining) white cabbage butterflies.
Pretty handy, eh? And that's not even all! I'm also pretty good at accumulating potassium and magnesium in the soil so I can help my plant neighbours grow stronger. Phewf! I'm a lot to take in! But you gotta love me, right?
So on a cold winter evening, for a taste and smell sensation, to help with your fartiness or for my lesser appreciated amphibian properties (lol!), treat yourself to a warm cup of my tea. Come, on! You deserve it! And while you're luxuriating in my minty goodness, you might as well pop on Joey Dee and the Starlighters singing a song called the Peppermint Twist.
What more could you ask for? Well... maybe more of me!
Cheers,
Exuberant Peppermint
References:
Britannica, T. Editors of Encyclopaedia (n.d.). peppermint. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/plant/peppermint
Jacke, D., Toensmeier, E. (2005). Edible Forest Gardens: Volume Two. White River Junction: Chelsea Green Publishing Company, pp 480-1, 536.
McKay, D. L., & Blumberg, J. B. (2006). A review of the bioactivity and potential health benefits of peppermint tea (Mentha piperita L.). Phytotherapy research : PTR, 20(8), 619–633. https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.1936
Sanborn, D. (2021, December 1). “Plant Science at the Dinner Table: Peppermint”. Michigan State University Extension. https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/peppermint-and-the-science-behind-it
Sievers, A.F. 1930. The Herb Hunters Guide. Misc. Publ. No. 77. USDA, Washington DC. Available: https://hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/HerbHunters/peppermint.html
Susla, G. (2021, February 16). “Civil war Medicine Herb Garden- How Mint Was Used as a Remedy”. National Museum of Civil war Medicine. https://www.civilwarmed.org/mint/
Vertolli, M. (2006, September 1). Herbs for the Mind. Vitality Magazine. https://vitalitymagazine.com/article/herbs-for-the-mind/
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