SPICES, MEDICINAL AND AROMATİC PLANTS
MINT (MENTHA)
Mentha (also known as mint, from Greek míntha , is a genus of plants in the family Lamiaceae (mint family).
The leaf, fresh or dried, is the culinary source of mint. The leaves have a warm, fresh, aromatic, sweet flavor with a cool aftertaste, and are used in teas, beverages, jellies, syrups, candies, and ice creams.
Mint essential oil and menthol are extensively used as flavorings in breath fresheners, drinks, antiseptic mouth rinses , toothpaste , chewing gum , desserts , and candies , such as mint (candy) and mint chocolate . The substances that give the mints their characteristic aromas and flavors are menthol and pulegone Mint was originally used as a medicinal herb to treat stomach ache and chest pains . There are several uses in traditional medicine and preliminary research for possible use in treating irritable bowel syndrome .
Menthol from mint essential oil (40–90%) is an ingredient of many cosmetics and some perfumes . Menthol and mint essential oil are also used in aromatherapy which may have clinical use to alleviate post-surgery nausea
Mint oil is also used as an environmentally friendly insecticide for its ability to kill some common pests such as wasps, hornets, ants, and cockroaches.
