Apple Mint scientifically known as Mentha suaveolens is also known as pineapple mint, woolly mint or round-leafed mint. It belongs to the scientific family Lamiaceae that also includes many of the other important aromatic cooking herbs, like basil, rosemary, sage, oregano, and catnip. It is a perennial plant belongs to the genus of Mentha. The plant is native to southern and western Europe including the Mediterranean region and is naturalized in central and northern parts of Europe. Other names occasionally used include Apple mint, Pineapple mint, Round-leaf mint, Round-leaved mint, Big-leaved mint, horse mint and woolly mint.
Genus name comes from Minthe or Menthe, a water nymph in Greek mythology, who was transformed by Persephone into a mint plant in revenge for Minthe’s ongoing affair with Hades (husband of Persephone). Specific epithet means sweet-scented. Both the leaves and stems of Apple mint are covered in fine hairs, hence its nickname wooly mint. Consider planting apple mint alongside cabbage, peas, tomatoes and broccoli to improve their flavor.
Plant Description
Apple mint is a vigorous rhizomatous, densely hairy, upright herbaceous perennial plant that grows about 40 to 100 centimeters (16 to 39 in) tall. The plant is found growing in damp ground that often dries out in summer. It grows well in heavy clay soils and normally prefers rich, moist and well-drained soil. The plant is most commonly grown as a culinary herb and/or ground cover. It spreads by rhizomes to form an attractive ground cover. Leaves are bright green in color. The shape of the leaves varies from oblong to ovate and they grow up to 3 cm to 5 cm (1.2 inches to 2.0 inches) in length and are about 2 cm to 4 cm (0.8 inch to 1.6 inches) wide. Leaves of apple mint have a slightly hairy top surface, on the downside they are downy and have serrated margins. Leaves have a fruity fragrance and taste, and may be used to flavor teas or in salads or as a garnish.
Flowers
The flowers of apple mint appear in terminal spikes that are about 4 cm to 9 cm (1.6 inches to 3.5 inches) in length and comprise several whorls of white-hued or pinkish blooms. The herb blossoms between mid-summer and the end of summer. The flowers grow in a tapering spike and the whorls are distant. The plant has got fruity and mint flavor of fragrance.
Apple mint leaves have certain medicinal properties. Listed below are some of the popular health benefits of Apple Mint
1. Use as herbal tea
Apple mint is most widely used as medicinal tea. The leaves of apple mint are dried and powdered. It is then brewed as tea which can cure fever, headache, various digestive problems and various other minor ailments.
2. Antiseptic in nature
The leaves of the herb can be crushed and oil can be extracted from them. This oil is antiseptic in nature that is used widely for many medical purposes.
3. Cures Digestion problems
Flowers of the Apple mint can be used to make tea which will cure problems related to digestive system such as stomach upset, indigestion and worms in the intestine. This tea is also very refreshing in nature which has the power of healing headache.
4. Reduces the chances of cancer
Apple mint is rich in Vitamin A and C and is also said to contain minimal amount of Vitamin B2. These act as antioxidants which helps in preventing cancer cell formation in colon and rectal.
5. Other Health benefits
The crushed leaves of this plant are said to eliminate the pain caused by bee sting, wasp stings and other insect bites. They bring about a cooling effect on the affected part of the body.
Traditional uses and benefits of Apple Mint
Round leafed mint, like many other members of this genus, is often used as a domestic herbal remedy, being valued particularly for its antiseptic properties and its beneficial effect on the digestion.
Tea made from the leaves of most mint species has traditionally been used in the treatment of fevers, headaches, digestive disorders and various minor ailments.
Essential oil in the leaves is antiseptic, though it is toxic in large doses.
Monks had used it for curing epileptic fits since it was considered refreshing for the brain.
Apple mint leaves also help in breaking down fat and accelerating metabolism level.
Leaves have anti-cancer properties.
Powdered leaves can be used to whiten the teeth.
Essential oil extracted from the leaves is used in aromatherapy to cure acne, colic, cramp, colds, flu, stress, shock, asthma and travel sickness.
Plant has antiseptic properties, improves digestion, reduce fever, headaches, digestive disorders and other minor ailments.
Oil extracted from the leaves is used in aromatherapy to heal acne, cramp, colds, flu, stress, shock, asthma and travel sickness.
Monks believed that you could use the herb to treat the fatigue that followed epileptic seizures.
Flowers can be used to make tea which if consumed promotes digestion, cures many ailments such as intestine problems, stomach pain and refreshes the mind.
Researchers using essential oil of apple mint show promise for treating vaginal candidiasis.
Tea also aids in alleviating stomach aches, various ailments, such as intestinal disorders, and an assortment of other health conditions.
This herbal tea also aids in breaking down ingested fats and augmenting the level of metabolism.
Steps for Storing apple mint
Follow the following steps to store apple mint.
Rinse the leaves in cool water and dry them.
Gather the mint branches into a small and loose bunch.
Put the leaves in a paper sack that has holes to allow circulation.
The leaves should be kept upside with the base of the stems at the top.
Tie the base of the stems and close the sack.
Place the bag in a dry ventilated area so that the leaves get crispy.
Shake the bag later to loosen the leaves from the stem and pour them in an airtight vessel.
Keep the airtight vessel in a cool, dark and dry room.
Steps for Growing Apple Mint
If you wish to cultivate apple mint in your farm or backyard, these basic rules will come in handy for that.
Apple mint should be grown in a rich, moist and well-drained soil.
Always plant the herb in full sun to partial shade.
Protect the yard by creating a deep barrier in the soil so that the roots do not spread far.
1 to ½ of space must be kept between the plants.
Too much of fertilizers or fresh manure will encourage rust which is harmful for the plant.
Frequent cutting or mowing will keep the mints trimmed and accelerate the growth.
Apple mint should be harvested just before the blooming season. The leaves should be picked at midday when the concentrations of essential oils are high. You can pick individual leaves or cut the stems for a large harvest. Remove the flower buds when they develop in late summer. These buds make the flavor bitter.
Culinary uses
Leaves can be consumed raw or cooked as a potherb.
It is used as a flavoring in salads or cooked foods.
Leaves have a similar flavor to spearmint, and are considered to be superior in flavor to that species but are also hairy, which makes them less suitable for garnishing.
Herbal tea is made from the leaves.
Leaves of this plant can be used to make apple mint jelly.
It is used as a flavoring in dishes such as apple mint couscous.
Apple Mint can be used in preparing jams, jellies, tea, sauces and desserts.
Dried form of apple mint leaves can be used to prepare delicious potpourri.
Leaves can also be used in making fruit salads.
They can be added to cottage cheese and cream cheese.
They are a tacky addition to Mediterranean cuisines, vinaigrettes and sauces.
They are also used in making candies and mint chocolates.
Certain alcoholic drinks carry a pinch of Apple mint.
Remove from heat and add 10 sprigs apple mint. Chill.
Add the juice of 4 lemons and strain.
After filling mint julep glasses with crushed ice, add ½ cup apple ale and fill to top with ginger ale.
Add sprig of apple mint and serve.
Other facts
An essential oil is obtained from the whole plant.
Rats and mice intensely dislike the smell of mint.
Plant was therefore used in homes as a strewing herb and has also been spread in granaries to keep the rodents off the grain.
In early times, the Greeks used apple mint to clean their banqueting tables and also added it to their baths to rejuvenate their bodies.
This flower was used as a floral spectacle was in full bloom in the Olympic Games 2012.
The Apple Mint oil is also use for producing Breath fresheners, tooth paste, chewing gums, candies and mint chocolates.
The oil is mixed with camper and uses to produce mosquito repels.
Mint oil is also used as an environmentally-friendly insecticide for its ability to kill some common pests like wasps, hornets, ants and cockroaches.
The herb was strewn across floors to cover the smell of the hard-packed soil.
Precautions
Large quantities of some members of this genus, especially when taken in the form of the extracted essential oil, can cause abortions so some caution is advised.
Consuming apple mint might be harmful for those who are allergic to menthol or have asthma.
Apple mint consumption in excess can lead to several stomach disturbances, muscle ache, cramps, tremors, drowsiness, diarrhea and slow heart rate.
Pregnant women should not consume apple mint since it can cause abortion.
Apple mint is highly toxic when taken in large doses.
