Many people talk about them interchangeably, but spearmint and peppermint are actually two distinct plants (via Reluctant Gourmet). Peppermint is a hybrid of spearmint and watermint, a mint variety that we don’t see so much.
What’s the difference between peppermint and spearmint plants?
Peppermint contains 40% menthol while spearmint contains less than 1% menthol. This means peppermint is going to have a more intense “minty” flavor that spearmint. So if you grab a leaf of your garden mint and taste it, if it has a really strong minty aftertaste, you are dealing with peppermint.
Does spearmint and peppermint look the same?
Leaves Properties
The leaves of spearmint appear oblong, lanced, and rounded while the leaves of peppermint are toothed and sharp-looking.
Which is better for you spearmint or peppermint?
Peppermint tea contains a higher content of Vitamin A and C than spearmint tea. However, spearmint tea contains twice the iron content. Additionally, peppermint contains nearly double the calories of spearmint.
Can you eat spearmint leaves?
Are the leaves just for flavor or can you eat them? Mint is a member of the Lamiaceae family, consisting of about 15 to 20 species, such as spearmint and peppermint, all of which are perfectly fine to eat raw or cooked. Mint leaves are a favored herb that people use, dried or fresh in many dishes and infusions.
Does spearmint keep mosquitoes away?
Peppermint, pennyroyal (Mentha pulegium) and spearmint (Mentha spicata) – all have pest-repelling qualities. Sprays made from these plants create an effective mosquito repellent as well as repel other insect species.
Does spearmint keep bugs away?
Some varieties of mint, such as peppermint (Mentha piperita) and spearmint (Mentha spicata), also have insect repellent properties.
Are there poisonous mint plants?
Perilla mint has a shallow taproot and fibrous roots. Perilla mint causes more cattle deaths in Tennessee than any other toxic plant. Perilla is very poisonous to cattle and other ruminants, as well as horses. All plant parts are toxic, especially the flowering structures.
What do you use spearmint leaves for?
Some people use spearmint to help alleviate symptoms of nausea, indigestion, gas, headache, toothache, cramps, and sore throat. It is also applied topically, to the skin, to help reduce swelling due to nerve or muscle pain.
What are spearmint plants good for?
Spearmint is a delicious, minty herb that may have beneficial effects on your health. It’s high in antioxidants and other beneficial plant compounds that may help balance hormones, lower blood sugar and improve digestion. It may even reduce stress and improve memory.
What is the best type of mint to grow?
Here are 11 of the best types of mints to grow in the garden.
- 01 of 11. Peppermint (Mentha × piperita)
- 02 of 11. Chocolate Mint (Mentha × piperita f.
- 03 of 11. Spearmint (Mentha spicata)
- 04 of 11. Pennyroyal (Mentha pulegium)
- 05 of 11. Corsican Mint (Mentha requienii)
- 06 of 11. Watermint (Mentha aquatica)
- 07 of 11.
- 08 of 11.
Can I drink spearmint tea everyday?
Spearmint extract has most often been used by adults at a dose of 900 mg by mouth daily for up to 90 days. Spearmint tea has most often been used as two cups daily for up to 16 weeks. Speak with a healthcare provider to find out what dose might be best for a specific condition.
Is spearmint tea anti inflammatory?
The abundance of anti-inflammatory properties and soothing effects of spearmint makes it extremely beneficial for respiratory health. It provides relief from a sore throat, clears nasal and chest congestion and also soothes a dry, irritated throat.
Does spearmint tea have side effects?
Spearmint might cause sleepiness and slowed breathing. Some medications, called sedatives, can also cause sleepiness and slowed breathing. Taking spearmint with sedative medications might cause breathing problems and/or too much sleepiness.
What happens if we drink mint water daily?
Drinking mint water can help you stay hydrated and may even help you lose weight — if it replaces higher calorie beverages in your diet. Some people also find mint water helps ease side effects of indigestion like gas and bloating.
Can mint leaves reduce belly fat?
Mint: An herb, yes, but this one goes the extra belly-fat burning mile. Mint leaves trigger the release of extra bile from the gallbladder, which is important because it helps the body to digest fat.
When should you not eat mint leaves?
Like many herbs, mint can adversely affect some people. People with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) should not use mint in an attempt to soothe digestive issues. According to a 2019 review , mint commonly acts as a trigger for GERD symptoms.
What bugs does spearmint repel?
The scent of mint repels aphids, cabbage moths, flea beetles, squash bugs, whiteflies, and even ants.
What bugs hate the smell of peppermint?
Peppermint is a great natural repellent to ants, aphids, bed bugs, boxelder bugs, cockroaches, fleas, fruit flies, gnats, head lice, moths, spiders, stink bugs, and wasps.
What animals does mint keep away?
The pungent nature of mint deters bugs from making your home their home. Pests like ants, mosquitos, and mice will avoid mint plants whenever possible, and it can also help with other menaces like roaches, spiders, and flies.
Do spiders stay away from peppermint?
The reason peppermint oils seem to work great as a spider repellent spray is one of the reasons why people like mint: the smell. The overwhelming smell of mint (as well as other strong scent natural oils for spiders) will cause almost all spiders to run the other way.
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