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History, Lore, and Magic of Mint


The information that follows is excerpted from a longer post:  The Ultimate Guide to Mint.  For additional information about Mint, such as its cultivation, culinary uses, or its uses in medicine, please click HERE to access the complete original post.  Other individual sections are listed below:
Mint Concoctions


In Greek mythology, Minthe was a nymph with whom Pluto fell in love.  His wife, Persephone, was very upset by this and turned Minthe into a lowly plant.  Pluto couldn't undo the spell, but he was able to soften it a little so that the more she was tread upon, the sweeter would be her smell.  We take the name "mint" from the name of this nymph. 


Wild Mint in a Meadow

Mint plays a prominent part in another Greek myth.  Two strangers walking through Asia Minor were snubbed by the residents of the villages they passed through.  They were offered neither food nor drink by the villagers.  Eventually the two strangers came to the home of an elderly couple, Philemon and Baucis, who prepared a meal for them.  Before they served the meal, they rubbed down their table with mint leaves to clean and freshen it.  The two strangers turned out to be Zeus and Hermes in disguise.  Because of their hospitality, the elderly couple was richly rewarded and their humble home was turned into a temple.  It is for this reason that mint is a traditional symbol of hospitality.
Mint Hospitality

The Pharisees in ancient times collected tithes of mint, dill and cumin as these were considered to be very valuable for their flavoring.  Ancient Hebrews laid mint on synagogue floors and Italians laid it on their church floors centuries later.  Bunches of mint are still hung in houses in hot countries to freshen the air and add a feeling of coolness.

Mint Wall Bouquet

Most mints are native to Europe and Asia, but some types are indigenous to South Africa, the Americas, and Australia.  Today, mints grow just about everywhere and have become naturalized throughout North America from southern Canada to Mexico.  Mint is a common flavoring in Greek, Arabic, North African, Middle Eastern and Indian cuisines.


There are several magical uses for mint.  Its magical powers include money, lust, healing, travel, exorcism, and protection.  If you rub the leaves against your forehead, it will banish your headache.  Wearing mint at your wrist ensures that you will not be sick and will have good health.  Stuffing a green-colored poppet with mint and healing oils alleviates stomach problems.  It is also used in travel spells and to promote lust.  
Supplies for Magic

The bright green leaves and crisp scent of mint make it a natural to use in money spells to increase wealth and prosperity.  To increase your wealth with mint, place a few leaves in your wallet or purse.  You can also rub mint leaves where your money is kept to achieve the same effects.  Mint can be used to rid a place of evil by sprinkling water infused with the herb, marjoram, and rosemary over the area.  Fresh mint laid on your altar will call good spirits and aid you in magic.  You can keep mint in your home for protection from evil spirits.
Mint Drying on a Door

As mentioned earlier, mint is a symbol of hospitality.  In the Victorian language of flowers, mint has a number of meanings.  In Victorian times, and earlier, people would construct little bouquets of flowers, called tussie-mussies.  In constructing these bouquets, the maker would select specific plants and flowers to convey certain messages to the bouquet's intended recipient.  


Mint's principal meanings include grief, homeliness, homely virtue, wisdom, remembrance, and eternal refreshment.  These meanings are some of the reasons for some of the uses for mint in the past.  Mint can also be used to say, "Find someone of your own age, background, and status to marry."  Another meaning is "Don't make such a to-do about small things." Pennyroyal is a type of mint that means "flee away!" or escape.  Pennyroyal is, incidentally, the best form of mint to use as "flea-away", or bug repellent, too.  Peppermint means cordiality and wisdom, while Spearmint means warmth of sentiment and friendliness. Catnip is another form of mint and carries the meaning of intoxication with love, probably because of the way cats react to it!

Too Much Catnip!

Please leave any comments or questions you may have in the area below!

Peace and Love Always,








Mint with Mortar and Pestle


 Sources:
Bremness, Leslie. RD Home Handbook: Herbs. Pleasantville: Reader's Digest Association, 1990. Print.

Brown, Deni. The Herb Society of America Encyclopedia of Herbs and Their Uses. New York: Dorling Kindersley, 1995. Print.

Clevely, Andi, and Katherine Richmond. The Complete Book of Herbs. New York: Smithmark, 1994. Print.

Cunnningham, Scott. Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs. St. Paul: Llewellyn Publications, 1992. Print.

Gips, Kathleen. Flora's Dictionary: The Victorian Language of Herbs and Flowers . Chagrin Falls: TM Publications, 1995. Print.

Kowalchik, Claire, and William H. Hylton, eds. Rodale's Illustrated Encyclopedia of Herbs . Emmaus: Rodale, 1987. Print.

Kruger, Anna. An Illustrated Guide to Herbs. Stamford: Longmeadow, 1993. Print.

Shaudys, Phyllis. The Pleasure of Herbs. Pownal: Storey Communications, 1986. Print.

Shaudys, Phyllis V. Herbal Treasures. Pownal: Storey Communications, 1990. Print.

Ware, Megan. "Mint: Health Benefits, Uses and Risks." Medical News Today. Ed. Helen Webberly. Medical News Today, 16 Feb. 2016. Web. 10 Oct. 2016.
Photo Credits:
History, Lore, and Magic Header Image:  Photo Credit:  bush mint / fresh bush mint in a metal pot standing on the kitchen table by Damian Gretka

Mint Concoctions:  Photo Credit:  Mint tea with fresh mint leaves.  Herb infusion in a ceramic bowl by KashtykiNata

Wild Mint in a Meadow:  Photo Credit:  wild savory and mint on a meadow by Pellinni

Mint Hospitality:  Photo Credit:  mint tea. by zoryanchik

Mint Wall Bouquet:  Photo Credit:  A bunch of fresh mint on a blackboard by Ruslan Mitin


Mint Drying on Door:  Photo Credit:  Mint drying on a wooden background by leszekkobusinski 

Cracked Mint Green Texture:  Photo credit: webtreats via Visual Hunt / CC BY

Mint on Black:   Photo credit: Nick Kenrick. via Visual Hunt / CC BY-NC-SA





Too Much Cat Mint (Catnip):  Photo credit: "T"eresa via Visual Hunt / CC BY

Mint with Mortar and Pestle:  Photo Credit:  Fresh garden mint by karandaev

History, Lore, and Magic Header Image:  Photo Credit:  bush mint / fresh bush mint in a metal pot standing on the kitchen table by Damian Gretka

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