Mint

Mint (Mentha, Ukrainian: miata). A fragrant, strong-scented perennial herb of the family Lamiaceae, with elongated elliptical leaves and small white, pink, or pale purple flowers arranged in clusters. There are many species, of which commercially the most valuable is the peppermint (M. piperita; Ukrainian: miata kholodna). Peppermint-541, with a high menthol content, was developed in Ukraine. Mint leaves and flowers contain essential oil which is used to improve the flavor of some medicines, in perfumery and the cosmetic industry as a fragrance, and in the food industry as a spice. Mint drops are used to treat nausea and vomiting. In Ukraine peppermint is planted in fertile lowlands, such as the forest-steppe region.

[This article originally appeared in the Encyclopedia of Ukraine, vol. 3 (1993).]