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Difference between revisions of "Peppermint Oil"
→News About Peppermint
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==News About Peppermint == | ==News About Peppermint == | ||
'''What Are the Benefits of Mint Leaves?''' | |||
*Source:http://healthyeating.sfgate.com/benefits-mint-leaves-5430.html | |||
:By Karyn Siegel-Maier | |||
People who lack experience growing herbs may sometimes forget that dried material preserved in a spice jar or tea bag was once a living, green plant. Like other garden plants, herbs have specific culture preferences but are usually easier to grow than many “fussy” ornamentals. With a little preparation, you can cultivate some of your favorite herbs to use fresh in cooking or floral crafts. Basil and peppermint, for example, are very easy to grow. | |||
:Basil Basics | |||
Basil (Ocimum basilicum), also called sweet basil, is a member of the mint family, which makes it related to peppermint. The herb gets its genus name from the Greek word that translates to "be fragrant." Basil is a staple in Mediterranean cuisine and is also featured in traditional Thai and Indian cooking. With at least 40 different varieties, growing multiple basils rewards a wide diversity of flavors as well as ornamental possibilities. For example, while all basils sport handsome foliage and pretty white, blue or lavender flowers and have a place in Italian cooking, "Mrs. Burns" lemon basil (Ocimum basilicum var. citriodora "Mrs. Burns") is the perfect accompaniment to tea or lemonade and cinnamon basil (Ocimum “Baja”) pairs beautifully with chocolate desserts. | |||
:Peppermint Profile | |||
Peppermint (Mentha piperita) is a hybrid cross between spearmint (Mentha spicata) and water mint (Mentha aquatica). The herb has long been used in traditional medicine to enhance digestion and to freshen breath. The volatile oil extracted from the plant is still used as a flavoring agent in foods and beverages, chewing gum and dental products. Essential oil of peppermint is also used in perfumery and soap-making. The warm, spicy flavor of the fresh or dried leaves make peppermint excellent for tea, alone or in combination with other herbs. The leaves are also added to baked goods, dips, sauces and custards. | |||
:Growth Requirements | |||
Basil is an annual hardy to United States Department of Agriculture zones 9 and 10. It is easily grown in much cooler climates, but is very sensitive to frost. Basil needs full sun and well-drained soil enhanced with organic material. Unless grown for ornamental purposes, pinch off the flowers regularly to encourage increased leaf growth. Also, avoid fertilizing this herb too often because it decreases the concentration of volatile oils. Peppermint is a perennial hardy to USDA zones 8 through 10, but also fares well in cooler climates with frost protection. The plant sends out underground runners that root and spread, so consider planting this herb in containers or in the ground in pots. Like basil, peppermint enjoys lots of sun and well-drained soil, and pinching new growth and flower buds will make bushy plants. Since both herbs like plenty of moisture, use mulch if growing basil and peppermint in the same vicinity. | |||
:Display Ideas | |||
Basil and peppermint will each reach a maximum height of 2 feet, so think about growing the two as border companions in a kitchen herb garden. You can also grow basil and peppermint in large containers with other aromatic herbs, trailing vines and flowers for eye-catching displays. | |||
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'''What Are the Benefits of Mint Leaves?''' | '''What Are the Benefits of Mint Leaves?''' | ||
*Source:http://healthyeating.sfgate.com/benefits-mint-leaves-5430.html | *Source:http://healthyeating.sfgate.com/benefits-mint-leaves-5430.html | ||