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Mentha piperita - Chocolate Mint

 

Chocolate Mint (Mentha piperita cv.) neither smells nor tastes like

chocolate, but rather it is reminiscent of an Andes after-dinner

chocolate Mint. Thus, the suggestion of Chocolate is there and is strong

enough to make us love it.

 

Great dried and added to black tea or used by itself, Chocolate Mint

also makes a nice addition to chocolate deserts or a surprise addition

to breakfast breads, as in our special Chocolate Mint Banana Bread Recipe.

 

As you can see the Chocolate Mint flower opens from the bottom up. The

green pods on the left are bracts that have already dropped their

flowers. The tip will continue to elongate and flower.

 

Mints develop their best colors and flavors when grown in the sun like

this Chocolate Mint. There are two growth phases for mints, at first, in

early spring, the stems head up to make flowers. After flower

production, the horizontal runners take off and cover a lot of distance

in a short time. Bees and Butterflies love mint flowers.

 

Cultural Information:

 

Height: 2 Feet

Hardiness: Perennial in Zones 4-11

Flower Color: Lilac

Characteristics: Full/Part Sun, Herbaceous

Uses: Butterfly Plant, Culinary, Fragrant

 

 

http://www.mountainvalleygrowers.com/menpiperitachocolate.htm

 

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Chocolate Mint, Peppermint 'Chocolate' (Mentha x piperita f. citrata)

 

Family: Lamiaceae

Genus: Mentha

Species: x piperita f. citrata

Cultivar: Chocolate

 

Category:

Herbs

 

Height:

12-18 in. (30-45 cm)

 

Spacing:

18-24 in. (45-60 cm)

 

Hardiness:

USDA Zone 3a: to -39.9° C (-40° F)

USDA Zone 3b: to -37.2° C (-35° F)

USDA Zone 4a: to -34.4° C (-30° F)

USDA Zone 4b: to -31.6° C (-25° F)

USDA Zone 5a: to -28.8° C (-20° F)

USDA Zone 5b: to -26.1° C (-15° F)

USDA Zone 6a: to -23.3° C (-10° F)

USDA Zone 6b: to -20.5° C (-5° F)

USDA Zone 7a: to -17.7° C (0° F)

USDA Zone 7b: to -14.9° C (5° F)

 

Sun Exposure:

Full Sun

 

Danger:

N/A

 

Bloom Color:

Violet/Lavender

 

Bloom Time:

Late Spring/Early Summer

Mid Summer

 

Foliage:

Bronze-Green

Aromatic

 

Other details:

May be a noxious weed or invasive <http://davesgarden.com/terms/go/500.html>

This plant is attractive to bees, butterflies and/or birds

 

Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater

 

Soil pH requirements:

4.5 or below (very acidic)

4.6 to 5.0 (highly acidic)

5.1 to 5.5 (strongly acidic)

5.6 to 6.0 (acidic)

6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)

6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)

7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline)

 

Propagation Methods:

-By dividing rhizomes, tubers, corms or bulbs (including offsets)

-From softwood cuttings

 

Seed Collecting: Seed collecting is not recommended for this plant; may

not come true from seed

 

http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/56869/index.html

 

***

 

Peppermint (Mentha piperita)

 

Other common names.—American mint, brandy mint, lamb mint, lammint.

 

Habitat and range.—Peppermint is naturalized from Europe and is found in

damp places from Nova Scotia to Minnesota and south to Florida and

Tennessee. It is largely cultivated, principally in Indiana, Michigan,

Oregon, Washington, and California, for the production of peppermint oil.

 

Description.—Peppermint propagates by means of its long, running roots

from which are produced smooth, square stems from 1 to 3 feet in height,

erect and branching. The leaves are from 1 to 2 inches long, about half

as wide, pointed, and with sharply toothed margins. The plant is in

flower from July to September. The small purplish blossoms are placed in

circles around the stem, forming thick, blunt spikes.

 

Part used.—The leaves and flowering tops, for which there is a

reasonably constant demand, collected as soon as the flowers begin to

open and carefully dried. The production of peppermint oil by

distillation of the cultivated herb is an extensive industry.* The wild

form of the plant is not suitable for this purpose, the cultivated plant

containing more and better oil.

 

*This industry is described in the following publication: Seivers, A.F.

Peppermint and Spearmint as Farm Crops. U.S. Dept. Agr. Farmers' Bul.

1555, 26 p., illus. 1929.

 

 

Sievers, A.F. 1930. The Herb Hunters Guide. Misc. Publ. No. 77. USDA,

Washington DC.

 

http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/herbhunters/peppermint.html

 

***

 

Peppermint

Scientific Name: Mentha piperita L.

Synonym:

Family: Lamiaceae

Peppermint (Mentha piperita)

 

Frost Tolerance: Hardy in Phoenix

 

Sun Exposure: Light shade in Phoenix. Keep the root system cool.

 

Origin: Hybrid of Mentha aquatica × M. spicata

 

Growth Habits: Spreading perennial to 3 feet tall (90 cm)

 

Watering Needs: Regular water

 

Propagation: Root divisions and stem cuttings

 

Peppermint is a sterile hybrid derived from a cross between Mentha

aquatica and M. spicata. The herb grows to 1 m tall and spikes of

lilac-pink flowers are produced in mid-summer. Stems are usually purple

and leaves can also be purple-tinged, particularly if the crop is

suffering from water stress.

 

Dried peppermint leaf is used in herb teas, either on its own or in

mixtures. Peppermint tea is regarded as a stimulant, a cure for

flatulence and has antiseptic properties. It is used in treating

indigestion, sore throats, colds and toothache, among others.

Peppermint, and other herbal teas are being consumed in increasing

quantities by the general population purely for enjoyment rather than

for their medicinal activity.

 

Chocolate Mint

 

Cultural Practices:

Plant mint in moist, fertile soil in light shade. Space plants 3 feet

apart and divide often to prevent aggressive spreading. It can be

invasive, and its roots may need containing. Replant every 3 years.

 

Blooming Habits:

Lavender flowers in late summer.

 

http://www.desert-tropicals.com/Plants/Lamiaceae/Mentha_piperita.html

 

***

 

Mentha piperita

Scientific Name: Peppermint

 

Uses:

Peppermint is widely known for its soothing effects on the

gastrointestinal tract. Because it may relax the muscles in the

intestinal wall, it may relieve cramps and reduce pain associated with

conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome. Because the production of

saliva is also stimulated by peppermint, the resulting increase in

swallowing may possibly improve appetite, reduce nausea, or lessen

motion sickness. Sometimes, peppermint oil is given orally or made into

lozenges or suppositories to relieve muscle spasms associated with

diagnostic procedures such as endoscopy, colonoscopy, and barium enemas.

 

Peppermint has also been used for relieving respiratory conditions such

as colds. When taken orally as tea or tablets, peppermint may reduce

coughing. Additionally, it is believed to have mild antibacterial,

antifungal, and antiviral effects, so taking it may help to control the

infective agents that may be causing acute respiratory problems.

Peppermint oil may be inhaled for soothing irritated nasal passages and

it is often included in commercial chest rubs for that effect. It may

also have some effect for reducing allergy symptoms. In at least one

animal study, sneezing and other allergic symptoms were reduced by oral

doses of peppermint oil. It is believed that peppermint oil may prevent

the release of histamine, but further study is needed to confirm these

results.

 

Aromatherapy is a type of alternative treatment that uses fragrances to

affect mood and behavior. Because the smell of peppermint is considered

to be energizing, it is often used in aromatherapy to reduce sleepiness

and improve alertness. Results from some animal studies have shown

increased activity when laboratory animals smell peppermint oil. A few

studies of humans have found mixed results, however, suggesting that

individuals who believe that peppermint will relieve fatigue respond

better than those who do not.

 

Peppermint oil may also be used topically. When applied to the skin, it

first may activate the skin's receptors for cold, producing a cool

feeling. Secondly, peppermint oil may cause widening of blood vessels

close to the skin's surface. The resulting increase in blood flow causes

the skin to redden and creates a feeling of warmth that relieves muscle

or joint aches. This double cooling and warming effect may make topical

peppermint oil useful in treating some types of headaches. Additionally,

it may be applied directly to cavities, gums, or teeth to relieve

toothache and it may also alleviate the itching of mild skin conditions

resulting from insect bites and rashes.

 

When should I be careful taking it?

 

In case reports, at least two infants experienced intense spasms of the

larynx, tongue, and the bronchi in the lungs, when products containing

peppermint oil were applied to their faces ¯ particularly their noses.

Severe breathing problems, including complete breathing failure,

resulted. Due to this possible effect, neither peppermint oil nor its

derivative menthol should be applied to the faces of small children.

 

Although peppermint's effects are mild and positive for most

individuals, gastroesophageal reflux (GERD) or a hiatal hernia may be

worsened by taking it. GERD happens when the lower esophageal sphincter

¯ the muscular " gate " that separates the esophagus and the stomach ¯ is

already weak, allowing acidic stomach contents to splash back into the

esophagus. If peppermint relaxes the lower esophageal sphincter even

more, the symptoms of GERD may increase. A hiatal hernia occurs when

part of the stomach pushes through the opening in the diaphragm where

the esophagus enters. If the " gate " between the esophagus and stomach

relaxes, more of the stomach may extend and the possibility of

complications may increase. Individuals with GERD or a hiatal hernia

should avoid taking peppermint.

 

Taking large amounts of peppermint may encourage the start of menstrual

periods. Therefore, its use during pregnancy is not recommended.

 

Precautions:

Although peppermint is sometimes suggested to relieve the discomfort

associated with gallstones, it should not be taken by individuals who

have gallstones unless supervised by a doctor. Because peppermint may

stimulate the production of bile, it may worsen some types of gallstones.

 

Not enough is known about how large amounts of peppermint might affect

an infant to recommend its supplemental use while breast-feeding.

However, amounts used in foods are not thought to present a risk.

 

http://www.drugdigest.org/DD/DVH/HerbsWho/0,3923,4067%7CMentha+piperita,00.html

 

***

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