Recess4GrownUps

Let your brain out to play.

The Urge to Herbal

Minty Magic and Mythology

You can find it in candy, in toothpastes, in gardens, in teas, in oil form, as a garnish, as part of a recipe, or even prescribed as a medicine. You could sample its sweeter side with a PCC Cooks class in Seattle to bake it into chocolate cookies; or you could explore its savory side in Mediterranean cuisine with Whole Foods’ cooking classes. You might find muddled with club soda, sugar and rum…or in the name of one of Portland, Oregon’s most famous cocktail bars. There are about 25 different species and many hundreds of varieties of it; they have distinctive square stems, and a fragrance recognizable to world over.  With a place in everything from Greek mythology to Moroccan tea, what could I possibly be talking about? Why, mint, of course. Mint is a sturdy, fast-growing perennial herb with a long history and numerous interesting properties.

Picture: Creative Commons |Chocolate Mint in Bloom

The modern English name, mint, comes from the Greek Minthe – the name of a nymph who angered Persephone (herself the goddess of the underworld, associated with pomegranates and the turning of the seasons). As her revenge, Persephone transformed Minthe into a lowly plant, intending her to be stepped on by passersby for the rest of eternity. Pluto, wife of Persephone, was unable to reverse the spell. However, out of some combination of good will and guilt (it was, after all, his love affair with Minthe that had so enraged his wife), he was able to grant Minthe a certain lovely fragrance, that would be released when her leaves were trod upon. Personally I am not sure how much that did to ease the torment of being trapped as a plant for the rest of eternity, but perhaps that’s why I’m not part of the Greek pantheon.
The herb itself is native to the Mediterranean and to parts of Western Asia. By the avenues of various trade routes and the vagaries of imperial conquests, the herb spread around the world, and its hardy nature made it well-suited to growing in a variety of climates. Mint was brought by early European settlers to the Americas, primarily for medicinal purposes. Mint was (and by some naturopathic medicine practitioners, still is) used to treat upset stomach, heart pain or palpitations, as a digestive aid, as a diuretic, a mild decongestant, to soothe sore throats, and as an antipruritic (anti-itch compound) on insect bites. Mint also has natural stimulant properties, and as an essential oil, can be a gentle alternative to consuming caffeine when you need to stay awake – and it commonly makes an appearance in aromatherapy scents. Mint can also be used as an insect repellent, for pests ranging from mosquitoes to cockroaches.

Picture: Creative Commons |Watermelon and Mint

In the modern world, the most common use for mint is, of course, in cooking, particularly in confections, desserts, and drinks. Moroccan Mint tea is a popular hot beverage; the Mint Julep is a classic Southern cocktail, made with mint, bourbon, sugar and water over ice; peppermint candies, including the classic candy cane, are eaten worldwide. The most popular varieties of mint are spearmint (used in drinks), chocolate mint (used in desserts), peppermint (for desserts and drinks), “garden” mint (for general cooking), and pineapple mint (for use in cooking and in particular, used in salads). Refreshing!