Dyosmos - spearmint
"Mentha, the concubine of Pluto"
In Greek mythology, Mentha or Minthi seems to have been the concubine of Pluto, who, in order to escape the jealousy of Persephone, transformed her into a plant.
Name - Origin
It is an aromatic and medicinal plant belonging to the species of sprouting plants. It is one of the plants cultivated on a systematic basis in Cyprus, both for fresh and dry production, part of which is exported. Due to the commercial value of spearmint in recent years, its cultivation is also carried out in greenhouses to ensure year-round production. It is believed to have originated in Asia, from where it was brought to Cyprus in ancient times. (Αγρότης Magazine (MANRE, 2007)
Its scientific name is Mentha viridis and belongs to the Lamiaceae family. Mentha originates from the Greek word μίνθα míntha.
Functional and symbolic role
Fresh spearmint leaves are used in cooking, salads and in halloumi production. The dried leaves are commonly used in the preparation of teas (Αγρότης Magazine, MANRE, 2007).
Additional information and bibliography
Spearmint has medicinal properties such as antiemetic, antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, disinfectant, antifungal, antidiarrheal, diuretic, digestive and tonic properties (Αγρότης Magazine, MANRE 2007).
Αγρότης Magazine, Ministry of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environment (2007), Press and Information Office, AprilMay-June 2007.
Varvara Yiangou