The apple mint, pineapple mint, woolly mint or round-leafed mint (synonyms M. rotundifolia, Mentha macrostachya, Mentha insularis), is a member of the mint family Lamiaceae. It is native to southern and western Europe including the Mediterranean region. It is a herbaceous, upright perennial plant that is most commonly grown as a culinary herb or for ground cover.
Apple mint typically grows to a height of from 40 to 100 centimetres (16 to 39 in) tall and spreads by stolons to form clonal colonies. The foliage is light green, with the opposite, wrinkled, sessile leaves. They are somewhat hairy on top and downy underneath with serrated edges. The flowers develop in terminal spikes 4 to 9 cm (1.6 to 3.5 in) long and consisting of a number of whorls of white or pinkish flowers. Apple mint flowers in mid to late summer. The plant is aromatic with a fruity, minty flavour.
An attractive herb, apple mint is often used as an ornamental plant. It is hardy and easy to grow, preferring full sun to lightly shady conditions. The leaves of this plant can be used to make apple mint jelly, as well as a flavoring in dishes such as apple mint couscous. It is also often used to make a mint tea, as a garnish, or in salads.
Pineapple mint (Mentha suaveolens 'Variegata') is a cultivar of apple mint that has leaves which are banded with white. A hybrid derived from it is grapefruit mint (Mentha suaveolens piperata).
Apple Mint (Mentha suaveolens)
Medicinal Uses.
Apple mint has been used for medicinal purposes for thousands of years in many parts of the world, including Africa, Europe, Asia, and the Americas
An attractive herb, apple mint is often used as an ornamental plant. It is hardy and easy to grow, preferring full sun to lightly shady conditions. The leaves of this plant can be used to make apple mint jelly, as well as a flavoring in dishes such as apple mint couscous. It is also often used to make a mint tea, as a garnish, or in salads.[5]
Pineapple mint (Mentha suaveolens 'Variegata') is a cultivar of apple mint that has leaves which are banded with white. A hybrid derived from it is grapefruit mint (Mentha suaveolens × piperata).
Apple mint has been used for medicinal purposes for thousands of years in many parts of the world, including Africa, Europe, Asia, and the Americas
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.