Guest guest Posted July 31, 2006 Report Share Posted July 31, 2006 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 *** 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 *** Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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