Wild Mint

The Mint likes lots of water, so we planted some near a puddle spot by the sprinklers. 

Can also be found in temperate regions of Europe, western and central Asia, east to the Himalaya and eastern Siberia.

It can grow from 10-60cm, it has a square stem, and purple flowers that grow from the stem/branch area. It grows in moist areas, around edges of waterways or sloughs.

Mint is one of the most invasive plants you can put in your garden. It is recommended that you plant them in a pot and deadhead flowers to prevent them seeding.

Plant is edible raw, chopped up into iced tea, or sprinkled on salads or flavouring for other foods.

It contains plant protein, vitamins, and minerals including iron, calcium, and magnesium (Gray, p. 121).

It can be made into a tea to settle/soothe upset stomach, added to black tea for flavouring. It has also been used to treat flatulence, gall bladder problems and coughs. Aztecs also used it to induce sweating and cure insomnia. The oil can be extracted and rubbed on the skin for aches and pains.

Menthol oil comes from the mint family and is commonly used in toothpastes, dental creams, beverages and tobacco. It is also a topical antibacterial agent, effective against streptococci and lactobacilli.

By stimulating circulation, mint treats cold and flu symptoms by reducing excess mucus. (Gray, p. 120)  A remedy used by the Metis is to breathe the steam when you put your face over a dish of boiling water with mint leaves and a cloth over your head ()Plants Growing Along the River, wild mint).  It can also help with acne (Gray, p. 121).

To relieve an aching tooth, the leaves were packed around it. (Foster & Duke, p. 251)

Because they are a mild antispasmodic, mint leaves can help relieve menstrual cramps and can also bring on delayed menstruation.  It can also reduce heart palpitations.  (Gray, p. 120)

You can soak Mint in water and use it to rinse your hair.  

Wild mint can keep mice and ants away if you scatter leaves where they might enter.  Wild mint is also an ingredient in natural deodorant.  (Gray, p. 119)

The dried leaves were sprinkled on meat and fruit to repel flies. (Foster & Duke, p. 251)

And it is apparent that gophers don’t like it since it survived very nicely from the spring planting.