The Merry Mints of May

Some facts about

 MINT

our Herb of the Month

·      NicholasCulpeper, 1616-1654, gives nearly 40 distinct maladies for which mint is‘singularly good’  ‘Being smelled into,’ he says, ‘it is comfortable for the head and memory, and decoction when used as a gargle, cures the mouth and gums, when sore.

·      Spearmint is chiefly used for culinary purposes.  The properties of Spearmint oil resemble those of Peppermint, being stimulant, carminative and antispasmodic, but its effects are less powerful.

·      Peppermint oil is the most extensively used of all the volatile oils, both medicinally and commercially

·      The many species of Lamiaceae  or Mint Family include widely used culinary herbs,such as basil, mint, rosemary, sage, savory, marjoram, oregano, thyme,lavender.  They can often beidentified as mint family by their square stems.

·      An infusion of equal quantities of Peppermint herb and Elder flowers will banish a cold or mild attack of influenza, with no danger of overdose.

·      In flatulent colic, spirit of Peppermint in hot water is a good household remedy.

·      Mice are so averse to the smell of mint, either fresh or dried, that they will leave untouched any food where it is scattered.

…A Modern Herbal, Mrs. M.Grieve

·      Ancient writings suggest that the Pharisees usedmint in payment of tithes.

·      The Royal Canadian Mint's proud history reached a new peak in 2007 with the Guinness World Records certification of the largest coin in the world: the masterpiece 100 kg, 99.999% pure $1 million goldbullion coin.…mint.ca

·      HerbMagic

Mint has long been used in travel and protection spells, in healing mixtures, and to provoke lust.  Its bright green leaves and crisp scentled to its use in money and prosperity spells; the easiest of which is to placea few leaves in the wallet or purse, or to rub where your money is kept.

…Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs,Scott Cunningham

·      Anybody know why the place that manufactures coins is called a mint?  Seems to me I've heard somewhere, but I've forgotten.

PRIZE to the first one who answersit logically.  (I can't say 'correctly', because I don't actually know the right answer!)