Ginger Mint – slight spicey smell, big minty taste
Ginger Mint is also known as Red Mint and Little Leaved Mint. The latin name is Mentha x gentilis, though you may find it labeled Mentha x gracilis or even Mentha viridis spicata (which is incorrect – this is the latin name of the Spearmint). Like other mints, it’s invasive. It likes rich moist soil, and is happy in full sun or partial shade.
Ginger Mint has a slight gingery fragrance and a strong minty taste. It can be used with fruit or in salad, and also to make tea. The essential oil from the leaves is used to give a spearmint flavor to chewing gum, particularly in the USA.
Ginger Mint should not be used as a herbal remedy by pregnant women. In fact nobody should use large quantities of this herb, because it is toxic in large amounts.
Make a standard infusion using 3-4 teaspoonfuls of fresh or 1-2 teaspoonfuls of dried leaves to 1 cup of boiling water. Leave this to stand for about 10 minutes and strain before use. This infusion can be sipped hot or cold and used for headaches and digestive complaints and to lower temperature in fevers.
It’s important that ginger mint grown for use as a herbal remedy is grown organically and not treated with chemicals, so as to ensure that you don’t end up taking in high levels of noxious chemicals along with your remedy. To find out how to grow organic ginger mint, visit the Gardenzone.
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