Common Name: Mint
Botanical Name: Mentha species

Mint is a perennial plant which has a square stem.  The plant also has opposing leaves – two leaves on either side of the stem.  The leaves have toothed edges.

Now let us explore the uses of mint. There are various ways to use mint, some of which are listed below.

1. Mint can be used to make “tea”.
2. Mint can also be used to make a cool beverage that you can drink instead of soda.
3. This perennial plant has a pleasant aroma that makes it useful in potpourri.
4. It has a pleasant flavor that is useful in cooking
5. Mint is used as a home remedy to treat stomach ache.

How would you like to taste minted rice?  Kids, ask your parents or guardian to place a sprig of mint in water that will be used to boil rice.  Boil the sprig for about two minutes and remove it from the water.  Use the minted water to cook the rice.  Taste it. You may like. It is new and different.

Using Mint to Cover the Senses

1. Rub two leaves of mint between your fingers and observe the feeling.
2. Place the crushed leaves close to your nostrils and make note of the smell of mint.
3. Look carefully at the shape of the mint stem and make a note of the shape of it.
4. Under the guidance of your parent or guardian, place two leaves of the mint plant in your mouth and chew them.  How do they taste?

Diagram of Parts of the Mint Plant

Opposite Leaves

Toothed Edge Leaf

Square Stem

Terms to know

1. A Perennial is a plant that lives for many years.
2. Tooth leaves have edges that are jagged.
3. Square stem appears with fours corners instead of a rounded shape.
4. Opposite leaves appear in the form two leaves on either side of the stem, extending equally.