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Mentha × piperita Peppermint |
Denver Botanic Gardens
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Accession Number: 162211*1 Map | |
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Healing Properties and Use: Peppermint contains menthol, a volatile oil that has antibacterial, antiseptic, and antifungal properties. People use peppermint to aid in digestion to relieve symptoms such as gas, bloating and indigestion. They also use it to relieve pain such as headaches and as a chest-rub to reduce coughing. Tea made from peppermint leaves soothes sore throats and coughs. Mythology/Folklore/History: Peppermint is not actually its own species but a hybrid of watermint (Mentha aquatica) and spearmint (Mentha spicata). The genus name Mentha comes from a Greek myth: Minthe was a beautiful nymph with whom Hades, god of the Underworld, was in love. Unfortunately, his jealous wife, Persephone, found out and turned Minthe into a plant! To make it up to Minthe, Hades gave her a sweet smell. Used medicinally in Europe since Ancient Greece and Rome, peppermint arrived in the Americas with the Spanish and is widely used throughout Latin America. Herbal Recipe: Peppermint Poultice Ingredients: Water (10 ml), honey (25 g), fresh mint leaves (10 g). Directions: Crush the mint leaves in a mortar, then mix them with the water and tablespoon of honey. Growing Methods: According to Gardens’ assistant curator Blake Burger, peppermint prefers a sunny location and moist soil, although it can tolerate part shade. Harvest peppermint leaves and stems often to encourage compact growth. Mint spreads easily so you may want to plant in a container to restrict where it grows. |
| LOCATION GROUP | Mordecai Children's Gdn; Mordecai Children's Gdn Medicinal Hill |
| FAMILY NAME | Mint Family |
| FAMILY | Lamiaceae |
| ACCESSION DATE |
June 20, 2016 (When this plant was acquired and registered in the database) |
| FLOWER COLOR | purple |
| FLOWER COLOR NOTE | lavender |
| USDA HZ | 3 (Coldest Zone Where Hardy) |
| HABIT | Herbaceous (Non-woody); Rhizome |
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