Wild Mint

(Mentha arvensis)

Other Names:

Corn Mint, Field Mint

Range:


Family:
Lamiaceae - Mint Family

Growth Type:
Herbaceous perennial

Height:
Can grow up to approximately 2 to 3 feet tall.

Leaves:
The hairy leaves are arranged opposite along the stem. They are simple, ¾ to 2½ inches long and ½ to ¾ inches wide, with a coarsely serrated margin.

Stem/Trunk:
A single erect or semi-sprawling squarish stem

Root:
A creeping rootstock

Flower Season:
Spring

Flower Appearance:
The flowers are generally pale purple, but they can sometimes be white or pink. They grow in whorls on the stem at the bases of the leaves.

Seed/Fruit:
The fruit is a two-chambered carpel.

Miscellaneous characteristics:
All parts of the plant have a distinctly minty smell.

Habitat:
Mints love moist places in temperate climates. Therefore you will find them along streams, rivers, and lakes,

Parts Used:
Aerial Parts

Culinary Uses:
Mints make wonderfully aromatic and healthful teas. Mints can be used as a seasoning in cooking, They lend themselves particularly well to lamb, goat, and pork. When used sparingly they are also wonderful on fish.

Energetics
Taste: Pungent
Thermal: Cooling
Humidity: Drying

Medicinal Indications:
Works to slow peristalsis which in turn treats dyspepsia, flatulence, intestinal colic, and IBS. As an emmenagogue, vermifuge, lactation enhancer and sedative.

Medicinal Conditions Treated:
Amenorrhea, Bronchitis, Constipation, Diabetes, Diarrhea, Bacillary Dysentery, Dysmenorrhea, Dyspepsia, Fevers, Flatulence, Gastritis, Intestinal Colic, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Hypertension, Jaundice, Nausea, Pain, Respiratory tract infections (RTI).

Medicinal Actions:
Analgesic, Antidiarrheal, Antihypertensive, Antimicrobial, Antispasmodic, Carminative, Choleretic, Emmenagogue, Febrifuge, Vermifuge