This time we will discuss about the health benefits of apple mint. Scientifically this plant has many names such as Mentha suaveolens, woolly mint, pineapple mint, and round-leafed mint. Apple mint is still classified as an aromatic plant and spice that is often used in cooking. Among other plants in the same family are basil, sage, rosemary, oregano, and catnip. Apple mint is included in the Mentha genus and it is classified as an annual plant. It is a plant native to European regions, especially Southern and Western Europe such as the Mediterranean.
There are a number of other names that are often referred to for apple mint. These names are Pineapple mint, Big-leaved mint, woolly mint, Apple mint, Round-leaf mint, Round-leaved mint, and horse mint.
Menthe or minthe which is the genus name for this plant is derived from Greek. Menthe means water fairy in Greek mythology. This is how it came to be called “mint”. The stems or small twigs of the mint plant are covered with fine hairs. This is why it is called “wooly mint”. If you want to grow your own apple mint plant, then you should consider planting it alongside cabbage, tomato, pea and broccoli plants to enhance the flavor of your mint plant.
Plant Description
To get to know more about mint plants, let’s look at the following plant descriptions.
The mint plant or apple mint is a plant that has a strong rhizome, is perennial, and has dense hair. Growth can reach 40 to 100 cm. It grows well in moist soil and dries up often in the summer. It does well in clay, and likes moist, well-drained soil. Apple mint cultivation is usually for culinary purposes and the purpose of covering the land or soil from weed growth.
The leaves of the mint plant are bright green, and it develops through its rhizome that creeps into the ground. While the leaves are oval and sometimes some are ovate. The leaves can be 3 to 5 cm in size, and about 2 to 4 cm in width. The upper surface of the leaves is slightly hairy and the edges are serrated, like murbey leaves. These green leaves have a fruity aroma and are useful for giving aromas such as teas and other beverages.
Apple Mint Flowers
Apple mint flowers are 4 to 9 cm in size and consist of several circles of white and pink flowers. These plants usually experience their fertile period in mid-summer to the end of the season. The shape of the flower has a pointed spike with a distant circle. The aroma of the leaves is like a fruity and mint scent.
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Health Benefits of Apple Mint
Apple mint has leaves that are rich in health benefits. Below we list some of the health benefits of consuming mint leaves regularly.
1. Use as herbal tea
One of the benefits of mint leaves is to relieve various minor ailments such as headaches and fever and others. The trick is to make mint leaves into tea powder. Mint leaves are dried and made into tea powder, you can also use fresh mint leaves to get the distinctive aroma of mint in your drink.
2. As a natural antiseptic
Mint leaves have essential oils which are extracted from the leaves. Mint oil has many properties and benefits in medicine, especially as an antiseptic.
3. Reducing the risk of cancer
Apple mint leaves contain vitamin C, vitamin A and B2. This vitamin functions as an antioxidant which is good for preventing the growth of cancer cells, in particular preventing rectal cancer and colon cancer.
4. Treating various digestive problems
Apart from apple mint leaves, there is another part that is beneficial for health, this is the flower of the apple mint plant. The flowers can be dried and used as tea and its benefits are to provide relief from digestive problems, such as intestines, stomach aches and others. Mint tea is also useful for refreshing the head and curing headaches.
5. Another benefit of apple mint tea
There are other benefits that you can immediately feel, namely as a bee sting remedy. Squeezed or crushed mint leaves are great for applying to bee stings and various insect bites. Mint leaves exert a cooling effect on the affected area thereby speeding up healing and relieving pain.
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Benefits and Traditional Uses of Apple Mint
- Mint leaves are useful in treating various minor ailments, especially it contains antiseptic and beneficial effects on digestion.
- Tea made from mint leaves is good for treating ailments such as headaches, fever, indigestion and various other minor ailments.
- Mint oil extracted from the leaves of the apple mint plant is useful for aromatherapy, it can cure acne, flu, colds, cramps, shock, asthma, and stress.
- The herb mint was believed by monks to be a remedy for epilypsies.
- Apple mint has a flower that can be bolted to tea, where its benefits are to improve digestion, intestinal disease, and can refresh the mind.
- Researchers can use apple mint essential oil to treat vaginal candidiasis problems.
- Mint tea is also useful for curing stomach ailments, intestinal disorders, and various other health conditions.
- Herbal tea made from mint leaves is also used to break down fat and can increase the body’s metabolism.
- Mint leaves contain essential oils and are anti-septic, but large doses are toxic.
- This essential oil has anti-cancer properties
- Mint leaf powder can be used to whiten teeth
How to store apple mint
- To save apple mint, follow these steps
- Rinse the leaves with water and pat dry
- Gather the mint branches
- Place the leaves in a perforated paper sack for air circulation
- Tie the base of the stem and close it
- Put the bag in a ventilated place
- Shake the bag until all the leaves fall off and place it in an airtight container
- Airtight container stored in a cool room.
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