Saturation Point
Anyone Want a Mint?
By
May 4, 2006, 10:20

One of my favorite flavors of ice cream is mint chocolate chip; by myself, I consumed about half a gallon of this fattening treat just the other night. I found the minty sweetness to be so relaxing and calming that I found myself eating spoonful after spoonful without even realizing how much I had eaten. I wondered if this flavor had some kind of power over me so I read a little bit into the origins of mint.

Interesting enough, mint is known as the hospitality herb because of its relaxing effect on those that smell it. The genus name for mint is Mentha, which is derived from Minthe, a nymph in Greek mythology. The famous story goes that the beautiful Minthe was changed into a little green plant by Persephone when she realized that her husband Pluto, lord of the underworld, was in love with Minthe. Pluto could not undo Persephone’s spell so he endowed Minthe with a sweet scent that actually became sweeter the more she was walked upon.

Mint is used for many different things and also represents purity and hospitality. Supposedly, mint was used to scrub boards that were used to serve the Greek Gods food. Zeus and Hermes disguised themselves as poor wanderers, traveling from house to house asking for food and a place to rest. They were turned down every time until they came to the hut of Philemon and Baucis, an old couple that was very poor. They welcomed the so-called wanderers into their home and presented them food on freshly mint scrubbed boards. The Gods revealed themselves and rewarded the couple by turning their hut into a beautiful temple. Because of this myth, mint is known as the hospitality herb.

Often I have wondered why we are served “after dinner mints” at restaurants. It isn’t the mint itself, but the menthol that helps with smoothing muscle contractions and aiding digestion. Mint has been used since Roman times to add scent to bathwater and perfumes to soothe the body. Mint is also used to relieve pain and headaches and treat symptoms of the common cold. Perhaps that is why our cough drops have menthol?



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