Mint

Mint

Mint, in botany, any fragrant, strong-scented herb of the Mentha genus, comprising about 25
species of perennial herbs, and certain related genera of the mint family and including peppermint,
spearmint, oregano, marjoram, rosemary, and thyme. Native to Europe, Asia, and Australia, mints are
naturalized in North America and are widely distributed throughout the temperate and subtropical areas
of the world but principally in the temperate regions of the Old World. Many are used as flavourings
for foods, but, in cookery, the term mint usually refers to peppermint or spearmint.True mints belong
to the Mentha genus. They have square stems, opposite, aromatic leaves, and small flowers usually of a
pale purple, pink, or white colour arranged in clusters, either forming separate whorls or crowded
together in a terminal spike. All Mentha abound in volatile oil, contained in resinous dots in the
leaves and stems. Oils of mints are used as scents in perfumery and as flavouring in candy, liqueur, gum,
dentifrices, and medicines.