Plants have turned out to be a very important element in the ecosystem since the beginning of our times, something that is due in large part to the amount of contributions that these organizations have managed to offer to oursthus allowing us to live fully and healthily, through processes that make the environment much more sustainable and fertile.
It is also possible to highlight the lots of benefits and properties that we can find behind the consumption of many species of plants, both for gastronomic purposes and for medicine.
Meanwhile, today we have a wide variety of plant species, each with its own properly defined characteristics and therefore, a particular use, which allows you to get the most out of the benefits that these plants can provide.
Many plants have managed to stand out thanks to their aesthetics and certain attractive aspects of their proper appearance. Of the many plants that exist, in this article we will talk about the mint spicata or commonly called peppermint or spearmint, a peculiar plant of its kind. The points to be discussed will be their origin, their characteristics, some considerations for their care, information about their more common diseases and even on some pests.
Origin of Mentha spicata
It is a herb from europeprecisely from the Mediterranean region.
It is known for reaching over 70 cm in height, as well as for being a perennial herbfor having erect stems and why they branch up to a certain height.
They can also be defined as hairy extensions, subtle to the direction of the wind. On the whole, these elements make a dense bushwhich manages to develop under a horizontal orientation through its root system, which allows it, thanks to its adventitious buds, to obtain said shape. Depending on its conditions, it will present different behaviors, for example, if we find it in a humid soil, it is possible that it behaves as invasive.
This herb can and has been sown all over the world, which has made it a very conventional species in a large number of countries around the world, although they are mainly concentrated in southeastern Europe.
Uses of peppermint or spearmint
Some benefits are extracted from its perfume, as may well be a pain reliever.
It can be used for the preparation of tea.
For seasoning, it is usually quite useful, its particular flavor it feels like this be it in the slightest feeling
Many of its solutions are used for essential products.
Also serves to treat some burns.
Both the flowers and the leaves They are used to prepare infusions.
Es digestiveantiseptic, anti-inflammatory and digestive.
The vast majority of its uses are related to the gastronomic areafor which, this plant is used as an ingredient or complement in the preparation of various dishes. Some more complex than others, which will also depend on the country in which we are.
Es one of its main characteristicsas well as one of the reasons why this herb has become very famous in a large number of countries.
From this feature, many perfumes manage to use to obtain the aroma that usually providesIt is even also used as an air freshener, being in total one of the most pleasant aromas that exist.
Raw material
As well as in perfumes and air fresheners, the perfume and essence of this herb is also used to prepare many toothpastes and rinses. This is due to its ambient aroma.
For the skins
Thanks to its properties, this herb can be used for treat insect bitesburns and other kinds of complications that can occur on our skin. It is also used to treat vaginitis.
Medical uses
Like many of the species of mints, Mentha Spicata is quite useful for treat digestive complications with only the preparation of homemade products such as tea. Likewise, Mentha spicata also stands out for being used to treat respiratory complications, such as bronchitis or the flu.
Perennial life
It has a considerably long life cycle, being one of the most durable.
Care
Exposure to the sun
Despite being a rude plant, the most advisable thing is to offer an environment in which they receive either shade or semi-shade. The important thing is not to expose it directly to the sun’s rays.
Plantation
When it comes to home environments, the pots or planters are used.
Irrigation
It doesn’t have to be every day irrigation with intermediate frequency It will be enough. This will also depend on the temperatures of the place where we are.
Fertilizer
They are generally used mineral fertilizers.
As for the rest, there are no other relevant considerations about its care, since this plant is very resistant to periods of drought. Among other recommendations, there is talk of the use of pots, which are recommended to control root growthwhich can become somewhat uncontrolled.
Most common diseases of Mentha spicata
Indeed, this plant can suffer from some diseases, although the reasons may vary. In the meantime, here we show you some of the diseases that we can find present on this floor:
Nutrient deficiency
It is one of the most common diseases that we can highlight of this plant, in addition, it is possible to distinguish it with the naked eyesince depending on the level of nutrition, we can highlight different shades in terms of their appearance.
As its name suggests, the absence of these nutrients can be potassium, nitrogen and phosphorus.
Stingray
It is a fungus that tends to attack many plants and indeed, Mentha Spicata does not escape this situation. It’s about a almost orange-colored type of bumpwhich usually appears on the leaves of the grass. Yellow spots can also be seen on the beam.
Mentha spicata pests
The threats do not end here, since in addition to diseases, we can also find a variety of pests that plague the well-being of this herb. Thus, and among the most common pests that can attack this species, we have the following:
Caterpillars
They are larvae belonging to the Lepidopteran family and it is entirely possible to find them in peppermint plants. They usually hatch from eggsto pass to its chrysalis state and later culminate as moths or perhaps butterflies as the case may be.
Aphid
They are a pest that plagues not only herbs, but also a large number of organisms present in the ecosystem.
These they usually attack crops that have high levels of sugars and depending on the level of development, we will find different damages in these. The larvae, for their part, usually make galleries in the leaves of this plant.
Some measures to combat pests in Mentha
If aphids are already present, pour soapy water it will be enough to eliminate them, we can even use onion or garlic infusion.
Ladybugs are usually the ideal predators for these silversTherefore, placing them in your Mentha Spicata will allow you to scare them away almost automatically.
The whitefly infestation tends to occur more frequently in the summer and spring times. It is usually very dangerous in greenhouses. The problem, fundamentally, is that they are carriers of diseases such as:
Internal damage to the plant
Molasses production
They can transmit various diseases to the plant
You can also extract the sap from the plant if you let them sit for long enough. To prevent this class of pests, the best recommendation is maintain a constant review of our plantin such a way that it is possible to treat the case in time, something that will prevent the invasion of these species to our plant. In case of invasion, garlic infusions can also be very useful to scare them away.
The Mentha Spicata is very simple to care for, since it is a species that does not require much care, but rather some protection against the predatory agents that threaten it daily, thus guaranteeing a much longer life span to it.
