What is the history of spearmint?

Answer 1

Mint folklore began in ancient mythology. Mint or Mintha, is named after the Greek nymph Minthes, who was turned into a mint plant by Proserpine, the jealous wife of Pluto, for casting covetous eyes on the philandering god of the underworld. Proserpine gained her revenge by turning Minthes into an herb where she would be forever trampled under people's feet. To keep people treading on her forever, Proserpine gave Minthes eternal freshness and fragrance. Both the Latin, Metha, and the Greek, Minthe, have come to be associated with metamorphosed beauty. In ancient Athens, where it was common to scent different parts of the body with different herbs, mint was the scent most commonly used on the arms.

Mint has been found in Egyptian tombs dating back to 1000 BC and has been part of Chinese medicine even longer. The early Romans believed eating mint would increase intelligence. Biblical references to mint suggest it was of such high value as to be used as tithes by the Pharisees along with anise and cumin. (Matthew xxiii, 23)

Mint was introduced to England by the Romans. The scent of mint was supposed to stop people from losing their tempers, and royal ambassadors carried mint sprigs in their pockets. It was also used to sweeten the smell of medieval buildings. In the 14th century, early versions of mint toothpaste were used for whitening teeth. Mint is mentioned by John Gardiner in Feate of Gardening in 1440. Feate is perhaps the earliest horticultural work in the English language and was written in verse.

William Turner (1508 - 1568), who was known as the Father of British botany, believed that mint was good for 'ye stomack' and was pleasant in sauces. John Gerarde (1545 - 1611/12) wrote that mint's "smelle rejoyceth the heart of man." Nicholas Culpeper (1616 - 1654), a physician-astrologer who fought in the English Civil War, used mint to treat over 40 different ailments, but warned that mint should never be given to a wounded man because it will prevent his wound from healing. John Josselyn (fl. 1638 - 1675), who traveled from England to New England, identified the Pilgrims as the people most likely responsible for bringing mint to the New World.

Spearmint was recommended for use by people with delicate constitutions or young children with 'feeble digestive powers'. It was however, not recommended for use when a fever was present. Used externally, oil of spearmint was thought to heal 'chaps and indolent eruptions.'