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Mints

MENHTA PIPERITA &
 MENHTA SPICATA

The mint family is large & complex group, with over 25 species and hundreds of varieties & cross hybrids. Including lavender, rosemary, sage, oregano, balm, etc. These plants share many properties & often a very similar chemical makeup.

 

But for the purpose of this article, I will be referring to Peppermint (mentha piperita) & Spearmint (mentha spicata).

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It is identifiable by its fresh minty scent, its lance-shaped, serrated bright green leaves & its tiny purple or pink flowers. It is one of the most popular flavorings and has been used for centuries. 

 

During the time of Ancient Greece, Mint was a symbol of true hospitality. In fact the word "mint" is derived from the word "Minthe" the name of a nymph in Greek Mythology. It has been recorded in use as far back as Ancient Rome. In those times, mint (presumably spearmint) was used to scent baths & perfumes.

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In the late 1600s, a natural hybridization of spearmint and water mint (mentha aquatica) occurred. It was first cultivated in England, and by the mid 1700s, Peppermint had been included in the London Pharmacopoeia.

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Today, Peppermint is used in a number of products, from candies, ice cream, cigarettes , liqueurs and many more. Its volatile oil (containing menthol) is also used in medicine. Spearmint is more commonly used in the food industry including: mint sauces & jellies, candies, baked goods and chewing gum. 

But these herbs have lots of great healing properties as well.

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Healing Properties:​

  • Improves digestion & reduces bloating

  • Treats irritable bowl syndrome

  • Can be used as a decongestant & expectorant

  • Sooth muscle & nerve pain.

  • Can relieve tension headaches (oil applied to temples and forehead)

Peppermint (mentha piperita)

Spearmint (mentha spicata)

Parts used: leaves 


Collection: harvested at any time

Aromatherapy:

Peppermint aromatherapy is ideal for relieving congestion, cold & flu symptoms, asthma & to enhance mental clarity.

Topically peppermint essential oil treats acne & headaches. It can also be used on the back of the neck(1drop) to cool on a hot day.

Magickal Properties of Peppermint

Associations

Element: Fire

Gender: Masculine

Planet: Mercury

Deities: Pluto

Powers

  • Healing

  • Wealth

  • Lust

  • Travel

  • Protection

  • Exorcism

Magical Uses

Mint is commonly used in healing mixtures & potions. Fresh leaves (or a drop of essential oil) can be used as a treatment for headaches, by applying juice of the leaf to temples, or applied on the back of the neck to cool on a hot day. To prevent illness, water peppermint leaves on your wrist. A poppet stuffed with mint & anointed with healing oil can sooth stomach upsets.
Mint is also used in travel spells, to provoke lust, along with wealth & prosperity spells. It is also capable of ridding a space of evil when combined with marjoram, rosemary & salt water 

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Fresh mint leaves placed on your altar calls good spirits to help with your magick.

Author
Smiling Man

Silver Foxglove

Forest Witch

Hello, I'm Silver! Founder & Co-creator of Foxglove Academy! I started this website because I wanted to help beginner witches find their path & to create a resource that might help dispel some of the perceived negativity that surrounds the term witchcraft.

  • Magic & Medicine of Plants, by Readers Digest

  • Desk Reference to Natures Medicine, by Steven Foster & Rebecca L. Johnson, published by National Geographic

  • Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs, by Scott Cunningham

Sources:

Books:

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Websites:

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