Editing Mentha (section)

==Uses==
{{Unfocused|date=July 2019|section=yes|reason=it treats the genus ''Mentha'' ("mint") as if it were a single kind of plant, whereas many of the uses apply only to one species or cultivated variety of the genus}}

===Culinary===
[[File:Mintjelly.jpg|thumb|right|175px|A jar of mint jelly, a traditional condiment served with lamb dishes]]
[[File:Mint lemonade.jpg|thumb|175px|''[[Limonana]]'' (mint lemonade) served in [[Damascus]], [[Syria]]]]

The leaf, fresh or dried, is the culinary source of mint. Fresh mint is usually preferred over dried mint when storage of the mint is not a problem. The leaves have a warm, fresh, aromatic, sweet flavor with a cool aftertaste, and are used in teas, syrups, candies, and ice creams,{{Citation needed|date=March 2025}} sweet foods, beverages, jellies and sauces.<ref name="The Culinary Institute of America 2011 180">{{Cite book |last=The Culinary Institute of America |author-link=The Culinary Institute of America |title=The Professional Chef |publisher=[[Wiley (publisher)|Wiley]] |year=2011 |isbn=978-0-470-42 135-2 |edition=9th |location=Hoboken, New Jersey |page=180}}</ref> In [[Middle Eastern cuisine]], mint is used in [[lamb and mutton|lamb]] dishes,{{Citation needed|date=March 2025}} while in [[British cuisine]] and [[Cuisine of the United States|American cuisine]], [[mint sauce]] and mint jelly are used, respectively.<ref name="The Culinary Institute of America 2011 180"/> Mint (pudina) is a staple in [[Indian cuisine]], used for flavouring curries and other dishes.

Mint is a necessary ingredient in [[Touareg tea]], a popular tea in northern African and Arab countries. Alcoholic drinks sometimes feature mint for flavor or garnish, such as the [[mint julep]] and the [[mojito]]. ''[[Crème de menthe]]'' is a mint-flavored [[liqueur]] used in drinks such as the [[Grasshopper (cocktail)|grasshopper]].

Mint [[essential oil]] and [[menthol]] are extensively used as flavorings in breath fresheners, drinks, [[antiseptic mouth rinse]]s, [[toothpaste]], [[chewing gum]], [[dessert]]s, and [[candy|candies]], such as [[mint (candy)]] and [[mint chocolate]]. The substances that give the mints their characteristic aromas and flavors are menthol (the main aroma of peppermint and Japanese peppermint) and [[pulegone]] (in pennyroyal and Corsican mint). The compound primarily responsible for the aroma and flavor of spearmint is <small>L</small>-[[carvone]].

===Traditional medicine and cosmetics===
The [[ancient Greeks]] rubbed mint on their arms, believing it would make them stronger.<ref>{{cite book |editor1-last=Prance |editor1-first=Ghillean |editor2-last=Nesbitt |editor2-first=Mark |last1=Sanderson |first1=Helen |last2=Renfrew |first2=Jane M. |date=2005 |title=The Cultural History of Plants |publisher=Routledge |page=106 |isbn=0415927463}}</ref> Mint was originally used as a medicinal herb to treat [[Abdominal pain|stomach ache]] and [[chest pain]]s.<ref name=nccam/> There are several uses in [[traditional medicine]]<ref name=JamiMost14/> and preliminary research for possible use of peppermint in treating [[irritable bowel syndrome]].<ref name=nccam/>

Menthol from mint essential oil (40–90%) is an ingredient of many [[cosmetics]] and some [[perfume]]s. Menthol and mint essential oil are also used in [[aromatherapy]] which may have clinical use to alleviate post-surgery [[nausea]].<ref name="nccam"/><ref name=Hunt13/>

====Allergic reaction====
Although it is used in many [[consumer products]], mint may cause [[allergic reactions]] in some people, inducing symptoms such as [[abdominal cramps]], [[diarrhea]], [[headache]]s, [[heartburn]], tingling or numbing around the mouth, [[anaphylaxis]], or [[contact dermatitis]].<ref name=nccam/><ref name=BayaBori14/>

===Insecticides===
Mint oil is also used as an [[environmentally friendly]] [[insecticide]] for its ability to kill some common pests such as wasps, hornets, ants, and cockroaches.<ref name=Boun09/>

===Room scent and aromatherapy===
Known in Greek mythology as the herb of hospitality,<ref name=HerbSoc/> one of mint's first known uses in Europe was as a room deodorizer.<ref name=Hunt04/> The herb was strewn across floors to cover the smell of the hard-packed soil. Stepping on the mint helped to spread its scent through the room. Today, it is more commonly used for aromatherapy through the use of essential oils.