Spearmint. Legends, myths, symbolism, description, cultivation, methods of application

Free technical library

CULTURAL AND WILD PLANTS
Free library / Directory / Cultivated and wild plants

Spearmint. Legends, myths, symbolism, description, cultivation, methods of application

cultivated and wild plants. Legends, myths, symbolism, description, cultivation, methods of application

Directory / Cultivated and wild plants

Comments on the article

Content

Photos, basic scientific information, legends, myths, symbolism
Genus, family, origin, range, chemical composition, economic importance
Botanical description, reference data, useful information, illustrations
Recipes for use in traditional medicine and cosmetology
Tips for growing, harvesting and storing

Spearmint, Mentha spicata. Photos of the plant, basic scientific information, legends, myths, symbolism

Spearmint

Basic scientific information, legends, myths, symbolism

Sort by: Mint (Mentha)

Family: Lamiaceae (Lamiaceae)

Origin: Central and Southern Europe, Western Asia.

Area: Spearmint is distributed throughout the world, including in temperate and subtropical climates.

Chemical composition: Spearmint oil contains menthol, carvone, camphor, limonene and other components.

Economic value: Spearmint is widely used in the food and medical industries. Its oil is used in applications and cosmetics, as well as in the production of toothpastes and chewing gum. Peppermint tea and spearmint decoctions are used to treat a variety of ailments, including indigestion and headaches. Mint is also used in cooking to flavor dishes and drinks.

Myths, legends, symbolism: In Greek mythology, mint was associated with the goddess Demeter, goddess of agriculture and harvest. One day, while traveling in search of her daughter Cora (Persephone), Demeter stopped in a meadow and started putting mint around her. When the snake bit her on the leg, the mint smell helped her recover. In Roman mythology, mint was associated with the goddess Minerva, goddess of wisdom and knowledge. She was a symbol of reason and clarity of thought. In medieval Europe, mint was used as an amulet that protected against witchcraft and corruption. Its dry leaves were put in pockets or hung around the neck. In Chinese mythology, mint was associated with immortality and was one of the ingredients in the elixir of life.

Spearmint, Mentha spicata. Description, illustrations of the plant

Spearmint, Mentha spicata. Botanical description of the plant, areas of growth and ecology, economic importance, applications

Spearmint

Spearmint is a herbaceous plant, type species of the genus Mint (Mentha), family Lamiaceae.

Spearmint is a perennial herbaceous plant, reaching 30-100 cm in height.

Leaves - simple, oblong-ovate or broadly ovate, wrinkled, curly, pubescent, serrated at the edges.

Inflorescences of false whorls crowded at the top of the stem. Flowers - white or pinkish, small.

It grows wild in Egypt, Southeast Europe and Western Asia. Naturalized in many temperate regions.

Main components. Ketones: carvone 81,5%, cis-dihydrocarvone 2,0%, menthone 1,3%, iso-menthone 0,2%, piperitone 0,4%. Monoterpenes: limonene + 1,8-cineol + phellandrene 3,4%. Esters: iso-dihydrocarveol acetate 1,5%, methyl acetate 0,3%. Monoterpenols: dihydrocarveol 2,8%, trans-carveol 0,8%, menthol 0,8%, borneol 0,4%, terpinen-4-ol 0,1%. Sesquiterpenes: beta-bourbonene 0,8%, beta-elemen 0,4%, (Z)-caryophyllene 0,2%, (E)-caryophyllene 1,7%, alpha-humulene 0,1%. Oxides: caryophyllene oxide 0,1%, limonene-1,8-cineol + phellandrene 3,4%.

The oil does not leave a cold sensation in the mouth, unlike peppermint essential oil.

The plant is widely used in cooking, used as a spice. An essential oil is obtained from the plant, which is used in perfumery, the confectionery and alcoholic beverage industry, medicine, and in the production of soap and tobacco.

Shown in the diet for flatulence.

Spearmint, Mentha spicata. Recipes for use in traditional medicine and cosmetology

cultivated and wild plants. Legends, myths, symbolism, description, cultivation, methods of application

In folk medicine:

From a cold: rub spearmint leaves to extract their juice and inhale it through your nose. You can also use mint tincture as nasal drops.
From fatigue and stress: Brew spearmint leaf tea and drink it. You can also add peppermint essential oil to your bath for relaxation.
For acne and pimples: Apply a cream or mask with the addition of spearmint to problem areas of the skin.
To improve hair health: add a few drops of peppermint essential oil to your shampoo or hair conditioner. This will help reduce the oiliness of the scalp and reduce the risk of dandruff.
For gum disease: make a spearmint tincture and rinse your mouth with this solution. This will help reduce gum inflammation and bleeding.
For muscle pain: Apply spearmint oil to the affected area and massage for a few minutes. This will help relieve tension and improve blood circulation in the muscles.

In cosmetology:

For a refreshing face toner, you can infuse fresh mint leaves in boiling water, leave to infuse for several hours and then strain. The resulting product can be used to wipe the skin of the face and neck after washing.
To prepare aroma oil for massage, you can mix fresh mint leaves with base oil (for example, almond or olive) in a ratio of 1: 3 and insist on this mixture for several days. Then the mixture must be filtered and used for massage.
For improved hair and scalp health, you can insist dry mint leaves in boiling water, leave to brew for several hours and then strain. The resulting product can be used to wash the hair after shampooing.

Attention! Before use, consult with a specialist!

Spearmint, Mentha spicata. Tips for growing, harvesting and storing

cultivated and wild plants. Legends, myths, symbolism, description, cultivation, methods of application

Tips for growing, harvesting and storing spearmint:

Cultivation:

Soil: Spearmint prefers loose, fertile soil with good drainage.
Lighting: Spearmint prefers bright light or partial shade. The plant can survive in the shade, but may become weaker and have a paler color.
Planting: Planting spearmint is best done in spring or fall. Plants should be planted at a distance of 30-45 cm from each other.
Planting depth: mint seedlings should be planted at a depth of 2-3 cm.
Distance between plants: Spearmint plants should be placed 30-45 cm apart.
Watering: Spearmint prefers moist soil, so you need to water the plant regularly, especially in hot weather.
Pruning: In order to maintain the health and shape of the plant, it is necessary to prune spearmint. It is recommended to cut off the top of the stem when it reaches a height of 10-15 cm and repeat this procedure every 4-6 weeks.
Removing weeds: Spearmint can easily be crushed by weeds, so remove them from under the plant regularly.
Fertilization: Spearmint does not need much care, but it can be fed with an all-purpose plant fertilizer every 4-6 weeks.

Workpiece:

Drying: The best way to preserve the aroma and flavor of mint is to dry it. To do this, cut off the tops of the mint stems and lay them out on a clean, dry surface. Leave in the sun until completely dry, then collect and store in a dry, cool place in a container with a lid or sachet.
Freezing: Spearmint can be frozen to preserve its freshness and flavor. To do this, cut the tops of the stems into small pieces, then lay them out on a baking sheet in a single layer and freeze. Once frozen, transfer the mint to freezer bags and store in the freezer for up to 6 months.

Storage:

Dry place: To store dried mint, choose a cool and dry place, protected from sunlight and moisture.
Airtight Container: Use a container with a lid or sachet to store dried mint.
Refrigerator: To store fresh mint, you can place it in a freezer bag and refrigerate for several days.

We recommend interesting articles Section Cultivated and wild plants:

▪ Cotoneaster cotoneaster (common cotoneaster)

▪ Violet

▪ Rambutan

▪ Play the game "Guess the plant from the picture"

See other articles Section Cultivated and wild plants.

Comments on the article Read and write useful comments on this article.

<< Back

Latest news of science and technology, new electronics:

Energy from space for Starship 08.05.2024

Producing solar energy in space is becoming more feasible with the advent of new technologies and the development of space programs. The head of the startup Virtus Solis shared his vision of using SpaceX's Starship to create orbital power plants capable of powering the Earth. Startup Virtus Solis has unveiled an ambitious project to create orbital power plants using SpaceX's Starship. This idea could significantly change the field of solar energy production, making it more accessible and cheaper. The core of the startup's plan is to reduce the cost of launching satellites into space using Starship. This technological breakthrough is expected to make solar energy production in space more competitive with traditional energy sources. Virtual Solis plans to build large photovoltaic panels in orbit, using Starship to deliver the necessary equipment. However, one of the key challenges ... >>

New method for creating powerful batteries 08.05.2024

With the development of technology and the expanding use of electronics, the issue of creating efficient and safe energy sources is becoming increasingly urgent. Researchers at the University of Queensland have unveiled a new approach to creating high-power zinc-based batteries that could change the landscape of the energy industry. One of the main problems with traditional water-based rechargeable batteries was their low voltage, which limited their use in modern devices. But thanks to a new method developed by scientists, this drawback has been successfully overcome. As part of their research, scientists turned to a special organic compound - catechol. It turned out to be an important component that can improve battery stability and increase its efficiency. This approach has led to a significant increase in the voltage of zinc-ion batteries, making them more competitive. According to scientists, such batteries have several advantages. They have b ... >>

Alcohol content of warm beer 07.05.2024

Beer, as one of the most common alcoholic drinks, has its own unique taste, which can change depending on the temperature of consumption. A new study by an international team of scientists has found that beer temperature has a significant impact on the perception of alcoholic taste. The study, led by materials scientist Lei Jiang, found that at different temperatures, ethanol and water molecules form different types of clusters, which affects the perception of alcoholic taste. At low temperatures, more pyramid-like clusters form, which reduces the pungency of the "ethanol" taste and makes the drink taste less alcoholic. On the contrary, as the temperature increases, the clusters become more chain-like, resulting in a more pronounced alcoholic taste. This explains why the taste of some alcoholic drinks, such as baijiu, can change depending on temperature. The data obtained opens up new prospects for beverage manufacturers, ... >>

Random news from the Archive

Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 3i Tablet 26.02.2023

Lenovo has introduced an updated version of the IdeaPad Duet 3i tablet.

The Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 3i shares the same design as its predecessor, offering a detachable flip case. The novelty received an 11-inch IPS touch display with an aspect ratio of 5:3, capable of displaying 100% of the DCI-P3 color gamut and providing a maximum brightness of 400 nits.

The IdeaPad Duet 3i is thin, stylish and lightweight, weighing as little as 697g in select configurations. Powered by the latest Intel N100 or N200 platforms for high performance. Manage your Windows 11 Home or Pro tablet.

The novelty has two USB Type-C ports, and one of them supports Rapid Charge Boost technology, allowing you to charge the device for 2 hours of work in 15 minutes. The tablet has a 3.5 mm jack, 5-megapixel front camera, 8-megapixel main camera.

The Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 3i starts at 449 euros. The tablet will hit store shelves in June 2023.

Other interesting news:

▪ Sony IMX4 581K camera

▪ Epson 10000 lumens installation projectors

▪ Today's old people are smarter than before

▪ Toshiba Wireless Hard Drive Solution

▪ Youth is deaf

News feed of science and technology, new electronics

Interesting materials of the Free Technical Library:

▪ section of the site Assembling the Rubik's Cube. Article selection

▪ article carve the sea. Popular expression

▪ article Which Caucasian people partly consists of blacks? Detailed answer

▪ article Tansy balsamic. Legends, cultivation, methods of application

▪ article Device for testing capacitors. Encyclopedia of radio electronics and electrical engineering

▪ article Wiring. External wiring. Encyclopedia of radio electronics and electrical engineering

Leave your comment on this article:

All languages of this page

Home page | Library | Articles | Website map | Site Reviews