Mentha × piperita var. officinalis
| Mentha × piperita var. officinalis[[Category:Mentha spp.|]] | |
| Light: |   |
| Moisture: |  |
| Hardiness: | 3 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Height: | 1' |
| Width: | 3' |
| Blooms: | Late Summer-Mid Fall |
| Shelter | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Medicinal Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Mentha × piperita var. officinalis (common name: white peppermint)
Propagation: Seed - sow spring in a cold frame. Germination is usually fairly quick. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and plant them out in the summer. Mentha species are very prone to hybridisation and so the seed cannot be relied on to breed true. Even without hybridisation, seedlings will not be uniform and so the content of medicinal oils etc will vary. When growing plants with a particular aroma it is best to propagate them by division[K].
Division can be easily carried out at almost any time of the year, though it is probably best done in the spring or autumn to allow the plant to establish more quickly. Virtually any part of the root is capable of growing into a new plant. Larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. However, for maximum increase it is possible to divide the roots up into sections no more than 3cm long and pot these up in light shade in a cold frame. They will quickly become established and can be planted out in the summer.
Cultivation: Succeeds in most soils and situations so long as the soil is not too dry[1][2]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. A sunny position is best for the production of essential oils, but the plant also succeeds in partial shade. Prefers a slightly acid soil[3].
Often grown in the herb garden and also commercially for its essential oil. The whole plant has a pleasant aroma of peppermint.
Most mints have fairly aggressive spreading roots and, unless you have the space to let them roam, they need to be restrained by some means such as planting them in containers that are buried in the soil[K].
Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus.
The flowers are very attractive to bees and butterflies[4]. A good companion for growing near cabbages and tomatoes, helping to keep them free of insect pests[5][6].
Produces a better quality essential oil if the plant is grown in dry ground[7].
Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[8].
Range: Britain.
Habitat: A natural hybrid, M. aquatica x M. spicata found in moist soils.
Edibility: Leaves - raw or cooked. A mild peppermint flavour, they are used as a flavouring in salads or cooked foods[9].
An essential oil from the leaves and flowers is used as a flavouring in sweets, chewing gum, ice cream etc[9].
A herb tea is made from the fresh or dried leaves[9].
Medicinal: White peppermint is a very important and commonly used remedy, being employed by allopathic doctors as well as herbalists[10]. It is also widely used as a domestic remedy. This cultivar is considered to be milder acting than black peppermint (Mentha x piperita vulgaris). A tea made from the leaves has traditionally been used in the treatment of fevers, headaches, digestive disorders (especially flatulence) and various minor ailments[11][12].
The herb is abortifacient, anodyne, antiseptic, antispasmodic, carminative, cholagogue, diaphoretic, refrigerant, stomachic, tonic and vasodilator[13][10][14][15][12]. An infusion is used in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome, digestive problems, spastic colon etc[16]. Externally a lotion is applied to the skin to relieve pain and reduce sensitivity[16]. The leaves and stems can be used fresh or dried, they are harvested for drying in August as the flowers start to open[13].
The essential oil in the leaves is antiseptic and strongly antibacterial, though it is toxic in large doses[11][16]. When diluted it can be used as an inhalant and chest rub for respiratory infections[16].
The essential oil is used in aromatherapy. Its keyword is 'Cooling'[17].
Usage: An essential oil obtained from the whole plant is used in perfumery[18][19]. It is also an ingredient of oral hygiene preparations, toiletries etc[12].
Peppermint leaves are used as an ingredient of pot-pourri[12]. They were formerly used as a strewing herb[5]
The plant repels insects, rats etc[5][20][6]. Rats and mice intensely dislike the smell of mint. The plant was therefore used in homes as a strewing herb and has also been spread in granaries to keep the rodents off the grain[21].
Pollinators: Insects
Notes: We could supply this in the next catalogue.
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Heavy Clay: Grows in heavy-clay soils.
Known Hazards: In large quantities this plant, especially in the form of the extracted essential oil, can cause abortions so should not be used by pregnant women.
Links
References
- ↑ Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ Simons, Arthur. New Vegetable Growers Handbook. Penguin, 1977.
- ↑ Baines, Chris. Making a Wildlife Garden.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Hylton, Josie and William Holtom. Complete Guide to Herbs. Rodale Press, 1979.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Riotte, Louise. Carrots Love Tomatoes. Garden Way, 1978.
- ↑ Sowerby, John. The Useful Plants of Great Britain. 1862.
- ↑ Thomas, Graham. Perennial Garden Plants. J. M. Dent & Sons, 1990.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 Facciola, Stephen. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, 1990.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 Launert, Edmund. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn, 1981.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 Foster, Steven and Billy Tatum. Medicinal Plants of Eastern and Central North America. Houghton Mifflin, 1990.
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3 Bown, Deni. Royal Horticultural Society Encyclopaedia of Herbs and Their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, 1995.
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 Grieve, Margaret. A Modern Herbal. Penguin, 1984.
- ↑ Lust, John. The Herb Book. Bantam Books, 1983.
- ↑ Mills, Simon. The Dictionary of Modern Herbalism.
- ↑ 16.0 16.1 16.2 16.3 Chevallier, Andrew. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants. Dorling Kindersley, 1996.
- ↑ Westwood, Christine. Aromatherapy - A Guide for Home Use. Amberwood Publishing, 1993.
- ↑ Uphof, Johannes. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim, 1959.
- ↑ Tanaka, Tyōzaburō. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing, 1976.
- ↑ Philbrick, Helen and Richard Gregg. Companion Plants. Watkins, 1979.
- ↑ Phillips, Roger. Herbs. Pan Books, 1990.