There are cultivated types of mint and those growing in the wild. Despite the diversity of this culture, a general description can be drawn up. Herbaceous plants 30-1000 cm high have an elastic stem topped with an inflorescence of small flowers in purple and pink shades. The plant reaches its maximum concentration of essential oils at the end of the flowering phase, but the collection of fragrant leaves begins already in June. Gardeners have long valued mint for its healing properties and its ability to be used in cooking and perfumery.
About the plant
Mint is difficult to confuse with other plants due to its unique smell. The leaves are bright green in shape and similar to nettles. This culture is familiar to everyone from childhood. Despite its widespread distribution in Russia, the birthplace of mint is Central Asia and the Mediterranean countries.
Among hundreds of species, the most popular are:
- pepper;
- feline;
- lemon;
- swamp;
- garden;
- horse;
- longleaf;
- garden
Main characteristics
Mint of any type and variety is easy to grow in an apartment or in a garden. Due to its unpretentiousness, the plant is often found among weeds. The culture itself and the extract are widely used in cooking and pharmaceuticals. It serves as the basis for flavorings, among which menthol is a separate element. A huge list of medicinal characteristics allows the use of mint in folk medicine. However, a few contraindications should be taken into account so as not to harm the body.
Beneficial features
Healing properties of mint help in the fight against many diseases, which is used in the creation of medicines. The herb has bactericidal, antiseptic, antispasmodic and vasodilating effects. Due to the content of a lot of useful substances, mint cures ailments related to various organ systems:
- Digestive. The herb helps with nausea, belching, heartburn, flatulence, and cramps. Decoctions stimulate digestive processes and intestinal motility. It is advisable to use mint for metabolic disorders, problems with the gallbladder, and chronic cholecystitis.
- Blood. Medicines prepared at home improve blood circulation and relieve attacks of angina and hypertension.
- Nervous.Peppermint tea is indicated for insomnia, depression, stress, and neuralgia. Adding fragrant leaves to drinks reduces the intensity of migraines.
- Respiratory. The culture has an auxiliary effect in the case of respiratory diseases such as asthmatic bronchitis, sore throat, colds, alleviating the condition.
- Female genitalia. Relieves symptoms of menopause, cures inflammation of the genital organs. Weak tea with mint is indicated for pregnant women to lift their mood and relieve signs of toxicosis.
Areas of use:
- Perfumery. Peppermint ether is often included in perfumes.
- Pharmaceuticals. The extract and ether of the herb are a component of many mixtures, cough syrups, lozenges, and throat lozenges.
- Cooking. Main direction: drinks and desserts.
- Cosmetology. Due to its antiseptic properties, it is used in the manufacture of masks for acne and acne.
Before using mint for medicinal purposes, it is recommended to consult a specialist.
Where does it grow
The crop is grown in many countries around the world not only for personal but also for commercial purposes. In the southern regions, preference is given to perennial varieties, in the northern and in places with a temperate climate - annuals.
Mint was brought to Russia from England at the end of the 19th century. The largest distribution area is observed in the middle zone of the state.
The light-loving plant is responsive to the sun's rays. Loves moist, fertile soils.
High productivity is achieved in the Crimea, Stavropol Territory, and the Caucasus. Some species grow in the Far East and Siberia. In the wild it is found near swamps, along the banks of rivers and lakes, in wet fields and meadows.
Mint varieties
Experts are actively working on creating new varieties of mint. There are many varieties that do not lose their relevance, for example:
- Prilukskaya-6.The meter plant contains 50% menthol. Due to low frost resistance, it is suitable for areas with warm climates.
- Kubanskaya-6. Another heat-loving variety with a height of 1000 cm, with a large presence of menthol.
- Krasnodarskaya-2. Mint with less menthol reaches a meter in height.
- Medicinal-4. A variety with pronounced healing properties. Grows over one meter in height. Menthol reaches 60%.
- Mystery. Ukrainian variety. It features a high menthol content: 64%.
- Medic. Outperforms other types in terms of menthol content - 67% and frost resistance.
Varieties of mint from European breeders are also cultivated on Russian territory.
Cat mint
Catnip is so named because of the presence of nepetalactone, which attracts felines. Grows up to 40-1000 cm. Straight, strong stems are covered with triangular-ovate pubescent leaves with jagged edges. The white flowers are flecked with violet or purple and bloom in early to mid-summer. The seed capsule ripens in August.
The plant has a bright, unique lemon aroma. Often found in the wild. An excellent honey plant, often grown next to apiaries. It is popular in the perfumery, confectionery, soap and medical industries. It is popularly taken in cases of anemia, hysterical conditions, migraines, and intestinal problems.
Lemon Balm
Known under the names: lemon balm, honey mint, honey mint. Erect tetrahedral pubescent shoots grow up to 30-1200 cm. Bright green ovoid leaves are attached to the petioles oppositely. Pale purple or bluish-white flowers form short panicles. It blooms in summer, the seeds ripen towards autumn. The shelf life of collected seeds is up to three years.
The pleasant lemon flavor makes mint a main component of refreshing drinks. Due to its high taste, vitamin C, carotene, and essential oils, the grass is used in many areas. It has long been grown as a honey plant.
It is recommended to cover the cold-resistant plant for the winter, as it is prone to freezing when the temperature drops.
Pennyroyal
Flea beetle is a low perennial, 20-60 cm, with branched stems and wedge-shaped petiolate leaves. Light purple flowers with white tubes form dense rings. Flowering continues from mid to late summer. The fruits are ready for harvest in late August - early September.
Pennyroyal is valued for its pulegone essential oil interspersed with menthol. Finds application in confectionery, conservation, perfumery. It is popularly used as an antiseptic and wound healing agent, cures hysterical conditions, bronchial asthma and prolonged cough.
Consumption during pregnancy is prohibited due to its abortifacient properties.
Moroccan mint
This type of mint is valued by culinary specialists; one only has to remember the refreshing Moroccan tea. The subtle aroma and bitter tint of the leaves help quench thirst. A popular seasoning with mint for sauces and desserts. Mint drinks relieve pain and various inflammations, increase immunity, normalize blood pressure, and improve digestive processes.
Chocolate mint
The culture grows in the form of a low-growing bush with shoots dotted with round leaves with jagged edges. With sufficient light, the leaves turn a rich purple color. Dirty white panicles bloom in early August. Prefers moist, light soils, growing in a short time. Resistant to cold weather, diseases and pests.
Chocolate mint named for its corresponding taste and sweetish smell. Demanded as an ornamental plant, spice and medicine.
mint
This fragrant variety is grown everywhere. The vigorous plant, up to 90 cm high, is grown commercially for the perfume, medicinal and culinary industries. The presence of carvone softens the taste and aroma garden mint, which is valued in the production of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, chewing gum, and toothpaste.
Ombalo: flea mint
A creeping plant rarely grows above 30 cm. It has densely pubescent foliage and a false whorl of flowers. Cultivated to decorate the garden, as a honey plant and insect repellent. The latter quality is due to the large amount of pulegone and limonene.
Horsemint
The plant is also known as bog horehound. It grows in bushes composed of erect, pubescent stems 60 cm tall. Oval, moderately pubescent leaves below are attached to the shoots. Horsemint blooms with white and pink or dark purple panicles throughout the summer. An unpretentious, light-loving crop grows wild in clearings, landfills, wastelands, and ravines.
Peppermint
The most common and sought after variety, named due to its pungent taste. The perennial crop reaches a height of 30-1000 cm. The stems are branched, straight, hollow with oblong ovate leaves with sharply serrated edges, ending in pink or pale purple whorls. Peppermint enters the flowering phase at the end of June and continues to bloom until autumn. Fruits are rarely produced. This species is valued as a honey plant and is used in medicine, pharmacology and cooking. Not found in the wild.
Curly mint
This plant is also called mint, spearmint, spring mint, and German mint. The perennial herbaceous plant grows up to 80-90 cm. Naked, erect shoots with oblong, wrinkled, curly leaves with an opposite arrangement are crowned with mauve inflorescences.
Flowering continues in summer. Seeds ripen in October.
In terms of distribution and use, this species is similar to peppermint. The bright aroma and unique taste are due to the presence of carvone and linalool. There is no refreshing taste due to the small amount of menthol. In addition to the medical and culinary fields, it is widely used in the confectionery, tobacco and soap industries.
Longifolia
Frost-resistant mint thrives in damp, sun-exposed areas. Strong tetrahedral stems with weak pubescence are collected in bushes 75 cm in height. The leaves are lanceolate, pubescent, with a grayish tint and a serrated edge. Racemose whorled inflorescences of pale lilac or purple color bloom in July-August. It begins to bear fruit in late summer - early autumn. If the plant is grown as an aromatic plant, harvesting occurs before it enters the flowering phase.
Feature of the long-leaved species: inclusion in the production of green cheese. This mint is rich in ascorbic acid. The essential oil contains menthol, pulegone and carvacrol.
