Mentha × piperita var. vulgaris
| Mentha × piperita var. vulgaris[[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. vulgaris (common name: black 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 plants also succeed in partial shade. Prefers a slightly acid soil[3].
A commonly grown herb[4], it is often cultivated commercially for its essential oil[5]. This is the black form of peppermint and it is said to produce a superior essential oil, making it the preferred choice as a food flavouring and for medicinal purposes. The oil is of better quality when the plant is grown on dry soils[6].
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[7]. A good companion for growing near cabbages and tomatoes, helping to keep them free of insect pests[8].
Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[9].
Range: Britain.
Habitat: A natural hybrid, M. aquatica x M. spicata, found in moist soils in ditches, waste places etc[10].
Edibility: Leaves - raw or cooked. A strong peppermint flavour, they are used as a flavouring in salads or cooked foods[11][12][13]. This plant should not be used by pregnant women, see the notes above on toxicity.
An essential oil from the leaves and flowers is used as a flavouring in sweets, chewing gum, ice cream etc[14].
A herb tea is made from the fresh or dried leaves[15][14].
Medicinal: Black peppermint is a very important and commonly used herbal 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 stronger acting than white peppermint (Mentha x piperita officinalis). A tea made from the leaves has traditionally been used in the treatment of fevers, headaches, digestive disorders (especially flatulence) and various minor ailments[16][17].
The herb is abortifacient, anodyne, antiseptic, antispasmodic, carminative, cholagogue, diaphoretic, refrigerant, stomachic, tonic and vasodilator[4][10][15][18][17]. An infusion is used in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome, digestive problems, spastic colon etc[19]. Externally a lotion is applied to the skin to relieve pain and reduce sensitivity[19]. The leaves and stems can be used fresh or dried, they are harvested for drying in August as the flowers start to open[4].
The essential oil in the leaves is antiseptic and strongly antibacterial, though it is toxic in large doses[16][19]. When diluted it can be used as an inhalant and chest rub for respiratory infections[19].
The essential oil is used in aromatherapy. Its keyword is 'Cooling'[20].
Usage: An essential oil is obtained from the whole plant. It is used medicinally and as a food flavouring[11][21][22].. It is also an ingredient of oral hygiene preparations, toiletries etc[17].
Peppermint leaves are used as an ingredient of pot-pourri[17]. They were formerly used as a strewing herb[23].
The plant repels insects, rats etc[23][24][8]. 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[25].
Pollinators: Insects
Notes: Grow it in containers for 2- 3 years and then put it in the woodland garden.
We can supply in the spring.
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.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Grieve, Margaret. A Modern Herbal. Penguin, 1984.
- ↑ Usher, George. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable, 1974.
- ↑ Sowerby, John. The Useful Plants of Great Britain. 1862.
- ↑ Baines, Chris. Making a Wildlife Garden.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Riotte, Louise. Carrots Love Tomatoes. Garden Way, 1978.
- ↑ Thomas, Graham. Perennial Garden Plants. J. M. Dent & Sons, 1990.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 Launert, Edmund. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn, 1981.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 Hedrick, Ulysses. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications, 1972.
- ↑ Vilmorin-Andrieux. The Vegetable Garden. Ten Speed Press.
- ↑ Tanaka, Tyōzaburō. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing, 1976.
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 Facciola, Stephen. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, 1990.
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 Lust, John. The Herb Book. Bantam Books, 1983.
- ↑ 16.0 16.1 Foster, Steven and Billy Tatum. Medicinal Plants of Eastern and Central North America. Houghton Mifflin, 1990.
- ↑ 17.0 17.1 17.2 17.3 Bown, Deni. Royal Horticultural Society Encyclopaedia of Herbs and Their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, 1995.
- ↑ Mills, Simon. The Dictionary of Modern Herbalism.
- ↑ 19.0 19.1 19.2 19.3 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.
- ↑ Schery. Robert. Plants for Man. Prentice Hall, 1972.
- ↑ 23.0 23.1 Hylton, Josie and William Holtom. Complete Guide to Herbs. Rodale Press, 1979.
- ↑ Philbrick, Helen and Richard Gregg. Companion Plants. Watkins, 1979.
- ↑ Phillips, Roger. Herbs. Pan Books, 1990.