Fig. 1013. Kinds of Mint (1-4)

The Kinds.

            There be divers sorts of Mints; some of the garden; other wild, or of the field; and also some of the water.

The Description

            1. The first tame or garden Mint cometh up with stalks four-square, of an obscure red colour somewhat hairy, which are covered with round leaves nicked in the edges like a saw, of a deep green colour: the flowers are little and red, and grow about the stalks circle-wise, as those of Pennyroyal: the root creepeth aslope in the ground, having some strings on it, and now and then in sundry places it buddeth out afresh: the whole herb is of a pleasant smell, and it rather lieth down than standeth up.

            2. The second is like to the first in hairy stalks something round, in blackish leaves, in creeping roots, and also in smell, but the flowers do not at all compass the stalk about, but stand up in the tops of the branches being orderly placed in little ears, or rather catkins or aglets.

            3. The leaves of Spearmint are long like those of the Willow tree, but whiter, softer, and more hairy: the flowers are orderly placed in the tops of the stalks, and in ears like those of the second. The root hereof doth also creep no otherwise than doth that of the first, unto which it is like.

            4. There is another sort of Mint which hath long leaves like to the third in stalks, yet in leaves and in roots lesser; but the flowers hereof, stand not in the tops of the branches, but compass the stalks about circle-wise as do those of the first, which be of a light purple colour.

Fig. 1014. Balsam Mint (5)

            5. This hath round leaves broader than the common Mint, rounder also, and as crisp or curled as those described in the second place (of which it seems but a larger variety) the stalks are four-square, and the flowers grow in ears or spoky tufts, like those of the second.

The Place.

            Most use to set Mints in gardens almost everywhere.

The Time.

            Mints do flower and flourish in summer, in winter the roots only remain: being once set they continue long, and remain sure and fast in the ground.

The Names.

            The apothecaries, Italians, and Frenchmen, do keep the Latin name Mentha: the Spaniards do call it Yerva Buena, and Ortelana: in High Dutch, Muntz: in Low Dutch, Munte: in English, Mint.

            1. The first Mint is called in High Dutch, Diement: in Low Dutch, Bruyn Heilige: he that would translate it into Latin, must it call it Sacra nigricans, or the holy blackish mint: in English, brown Mint; or red Mint.

            2. The second is also called in High Dutch Krausz Diement, Krausz Muntz, and Krausz Balsam , that is to say, Mentha cruciata: in French, Beaume Crespu: in English, Cross Mint, or curled Mint.

            3. The third is called of divers Mentha sarracenica, Mentha romana: it is called in High Duch Balsam Muntz, Onser Frawen Muntz, Spitzer Muntz, Spitzer Balsam: it may be called Mentha angustifolia that is to say, Mint with the narrow leaf: and in English, Spearmint, common garden Mint, our Lady's Mint, Brown Mint, and Mackerel Mint.

            4. The fourth is called in High Dutch Hertzkraut, as though it were to be named Cardiaca, or Cardiaca Mentha: in English, Heart-wort, or Heart-mint. This is the Sisymbrium sativum of Matthiolus, and Mentha hortensis altera of Gesner: the Italians call it Sisembrio Domestico, and Balsamita: the Germans, Kakenbalsam.

The Temperature.

            Mint is hot and dry in the third degree. It is, saith Galen, somewhat bitter and harsh, and it is inferior to Calamint. The smell of Mint, saith Pliny, doth stir up the mind, and the taste to a greedy desire to meat.

The Virtues.

            A. Mint is marvellous wholesome for the stomach, it stayeth the hicket, parbreaking, vomiting & scouring in the choleric passion, if it be taken with the juice of a sour pomegranate.

            B. It stoppeth the casting up of blood, being given with water and vinegar, as Galen teacheth.

            C. And in broth saith Pliny, it stayeth the flowers, and is singular good against the whites, that is to say, that Mint which is described in the first place. For it is found by experience, that many have had this kind of flux stayed by the continual use of this only Mint: the same being applied to the forehead, or to the temples, as Pliny teacheth, doth take away the headache.

            D. It is good against watering eyes, and all manner of breakings out in the head, and against the infirmities of the fundament; it is a sure remedy for childrens sore heads.

            E. It is poured into the ears with honey water. It is taken inwardly against scolopenders, bear-worms, sea-scorpions and serpents.

            F. It is applied with salt to the bitings of mad dogs. It will not suffer milk to curdle in the stomach (Pliny addeth to wax sour) therefore it is put in milk that is drunk for fear that those who have drunk thereof should be strangled.

            G. It is thought, that by the same virtue it is an enemy to generation, by overthickning the seed.

            H. Dioscorides teacheth, that being applied to the secret part of a woman before the act, it hindereth conception.

            I. Garden Mint taken in meat or drink warmeth and strengtheneth the stomach, and drieth up all superfluous humours gathered in the same, and causeth good digestion.

            K. Mints mingled with the leaves of parched Barley, consumeth tumors and hard swellings.

            L. The water of Mints is of like operation in divers medicines, it cureth the trenching and griping pains of the belly and bowels, it appeaseth headache, stayeth yexing and vomiting.

            M. It is singular against the gravel and stone in the kidneys, and against the strangury, being boiled in wine and drunk.

            N. They lay it to the stinging of wasps and bees with good success.