Mint: harm and good. Types and applications

A perennial photophilous plant with branching stems, which grow to 100 cm under favorable conditions. Leaves, simple, pubescent. Flowers are purple or whitish, collected in whorls or inflorescences. All kinds of mint in its composition contain essential oils, the main component of which is menthol.

What do you know about mint

The plant is common in many countries with a temperate climate. Mint, harm and benefit of this plant are known to man since antiquity. It is used in cooking, confectionery production, distillery industry. In addition, this herb is often added to teas, used as a medicine for colds. Mint is the basis of many soft drinks, sweets, syrups, ice cream. The fresh green of mint gives an unusual aroma of soups.

Overtaking the stems, cut before bloom, in many countries receive the most valuable essential oil. Mint is a plant that has found wide application in perfumery and medicinal collections.

The plant grows on sunny or slightly shaded places, on well-moistened soil. It grows on any land except clayey. Blossoms and is suitable for collection in the first year.

What kind of mint happens?

The plant is widespread in many countries of the world. There are different types of mint. But today we will tell you about the most popular of its varieties. Undisputed leader in this list is peppermint. Properties and contraindications, this plant has long been studied by scientists.

The plant was first hatched in the UK by breeding in the 16th century. It is perennial, which grows to a height of one meter. The leaves have a bright green color. The roots are not deep (15 cm), they have large knots. A lot of small roots deviate from them.

Peppermint flowers can be pale violet, less often lilac. They are collected in the inflorescence. The plant starts from June and ends in August.

Peppermint: properties and contraindications

This plant has many valuable useful properties:

• Improves digestion;
• Is a soothing and analgesic;
• Relieves insomnia;
• Has anti-inflammatory effect;
• Used in the treatment of heart and vascular diseases;
• Treats skin diseases;
• Used in the treatment of the bladder.

Along with such an extensive list of useful characteristics that peppermint possesses, one can not help saying about the contraindications that this plant is endowed with mint. The damage and benefit of this herb, or rather knowledge of them, is extremely important for all lovers of this fragrant plant. So, who peppermint is contraindicated?

You should be careful to drink mint tea for people suffering from hypotension (low blood pressure).

Not recommended for breastfeeding mothers and pregnant women.

It is forbidden to use mint for allergies.

As you can see, peppermint, properties and contraindications for use have already been well studied, is a powerful natural remedy. When preparing infusions and broths, strictly observe the dosage. Otherwise, it will cause drowsiness.

These contraindications apply to almost all types.

Mint for garden

This herb grows in almost all gardens and gardens. Quite a powerful plant that grows up to 90 cm in height. In this form, essential oil is valued, to be more precise, the substance that enters into its composition is a substance - carvone. Thanks to him, the garden mint does not have such a powerful burning and cooling effect, as peppery. It is used in the production of chewing gum, added to nonalcoholic and alcoholic beverages, flavored toothpaste. In addition, this mint is also used in perfumery. Harm and benefit of this herb (in contrast to peppermint) are weakly expressed.

Mint of the field

It grows all over the world, more often in the wild. It occurs along river banks and on wet meadows. Field mint is a shrub, 80 cm high, with a branched stem and a large rhizome.

This mint has no sharp smell and menthol, cooling taste. It is added to fish and vegetable dishes, salads, for the preparation of tonic drinks.

For medicinal purposes it is used for inflammatory processes and headaches.

Long-leafed mint

A powerful plant that can reach a height of 120 cm. The long-leafed mint has a tetrahedral branched stem and a powerful creeping rhizome. Leaves with serrate-serrated edges, saturated green with a delicate aroma. The plant is valued for essential oil. It has antiseptic and analgesic effect.

Used as a condiment for salads, broths, vegetable soups. Sometimes this kind of mint is added to meat (more often to fried beef), used in confectionery production, when cabbage is sour.

Peppermint

It is a small bush, not more than 60 cm high. It is distinguished by small, round, velvety leaves of bright green color. The plant is endowed with a less intense, but very delicate aroma. This kind can be added to vegetable and fish dishes, as well as to pastries.

As you know, in the format of a short article we could not tell about all the varieties with which mint is famous. The damage and benefits of these plants are still being studied by scientists around the world. But already today it can be said with certainty that it is necessary to apply it as tea, infusions, broths with caution, and it is better, having consulted beforehand with the attending physician.