Mint Plant

Introduction

This herb comes from Central Asia and the Mediterranean. Plant is very versatile and there are many varieties. It combines well with other herbs such as: basil, dill, parsley, and in Asia with: ginger, cumin, Cardanomo, cloves. Herbal plant known scientifically as Muammar Mentha Piperita and the air contains mint nine compounds with repellent effect. Its scent reveals its tonic and stimulating virtues. Its aroma is strong, cool, sweet, spicy and refreshing. Not to be taken at night because it produces insomnia (insomnia causes). Mint plant is used to relieve gastrointestinal disorders, Peppermint is antiseptic, sedative, digestive, stimulating bile, and has slight sweat properties, as is also indicated in all types of infections, fevers and inflammation, dizziness, etc. The mint tea at a rate of one teaspoon per cup brings relief in almost all ailments. It is best to use fresh leaves, but not always possible. The dried leaves have to keep sealed, as they lose the scent.

Properties: digestive, is good for bad breath, gingivitis inflammation, anti-nausea, intestinal spasms.

Culinary uses it to season vegetables such as beans, eggplants, cucumbers , peas, tomatoes , meat, deer, dressing, potatoes, grilled fish, seasoning sauces . It is widely used in the kitchen China, Indian, Iranian, and Vietnamese.

History of the Plant

The mints are plants of European orgin. This plant has always had a high esteem in the European tradition among the Greeks and Romans. The Greeks set their homes with the aroma of mint and used in water baths to strengthen the body and give a good smell. In the Middle Ages, mint was considered a magical kind that used in potions.

The orgin of this plant has been attributed to England, which is not quite true as it is known that it existed and was used in antiquity. Probably the first specimens from the breeding of wild species Mentha aquatic and Mentha spicata occurred in a spontaneous or casual. The English be attributed to them the virtye of breeding this species in their gardens because the plants were able to produce more refined aromas and appreciated. Today it is still considered the better quality peppermint is English (Talalay, 2001, 238-247).

The plant

Mint grows in all climates, but prefers moist soil but can something be in the sun prefers semi-shade. Its leaves are oval, petiolate, and dentate. The stems are straight and follicles.

Some of the most important varieties:

Disciplined mind: its flavor is fruity, so it blends well with fruits and fresh cheeses.

Apple mint: its taste reminds a little of this fruit.

Bowles Mint: it tastes very fine, its flavor is strong and spicy, and it is essential oils, which are used for the production of liqueurs, toothpaste.

Strip of lemon flavor: Used in salads and drinks.

Hybrid disciplined mind: is strong spicy flavor and pungent, is taken with olives, black olives, cheese.

Curly Spearmint: is very soft, is used to make soups.

Moroccan Spearmint: is very thin, there used to prepare the green tea.

Spearmint Tashkent: is very ...