Peppermint

The Candy Cane Mint

There is a place where the sidewalk ends
And before the street begins,
And there the grass grows soft and white,
And there the sun burns crimson bright,
And there the moon-bird rests from his flight
To cool in the peppermint wind.

Let us leave this place where the smoke blows black
And the dark street winds and bends.
Past the pits where the asphalt flowers grow
We shall walk with a walk that is measured and slow,
And watch where the chalk-white arrows go
To the place where the sidewalk ends.

Yes we’ll walk with a walk that is measured and slow,
And we’ll go where the chalk-white arrows go,
For the children, they mark, and the children, they know
The place where the sidewalk ends.

Shel Silverstein

Peppermint makes his presence known. Strong and biting, this mint does not know the meaning of the word subtle. The love child of water mint and spearmint, he can grow to be as big as three feet tall. Woody, square stalks with smooth stems hold up this vigorous grower. The dark green leaves show a bit of their spicy nature with reddish veining. Tapering to a point, the leaves sport coarsely toothed edges. Both the leaves and the stems have a slight fuzz, much like a rugged 5 o’clock shadow. Once he sprouts, he spreads very quickly clearing the air around him. While aggressive, it may be exactly his strength which allows me to put down my load for a minute and feel calm. I trust his confidence and competence.

The Magic of Peppermint

Correspondences

Element: Air
Gender: Masculine
Sabbat: Yule
Planet: Venus
Chakra: Solar Plexus, Throat

Spellwork

Clean
Heal
Protect
Think
Prosper

Proverb

American: Peppermint tea — two delights per sip. As steamy hot as passion, cool as a wintry lake dip. (Terri Guillemets)

The Medicine of Peppermint

Ayurvedic

Not Applicable

Herbology

Antispasmodic
Carminative
Bitter
Antimicrobial
Analgesic
Diaphoretic
Stimulant
Nervine
Antiemetic

TCM

Not Applicable

Science of Peppermint

Botany

Botanical Name: Mentha × piperita
Family: Lamiaceae (Mint Family)
Type of Plant: Herbaceous perennial
Habitat: Rich moist soil, Sun/Shade
Zone: 5-9
Bloom Time: July – August
Height: 1-2 feet
Spread: 1-2 feet
Propagation: Divide
Harvest: Before flowering, cut the top 3 inches just above the leaves below
Part Used: Leaves
Constituents: Volatile oils, Flavonoids, Tannins
Native Region: Europe
Sustainability: Good

Leaf

Structure: Simple
Arrangement: Opposite
Shape: Lanceolate
Length: 1-3 inches
Margins: Coarsely toothed
Surface: Bumpy, Pubescent

Flower

Inflorescence: Compound blunt spike
Sexuality: Perfect
Stamen: 4
Petals: Irregular
Color: Purple
Size: Small

Sacred Story

Charles Schultz, the cartoonist, created Peppermint Patty as a tomboy to expand gender norms in the 1960s. She was the first girl in the Peanuts comic to wear a shirt and shorts instead of a dress. In fact she hired Snoopy to be her lawyer when the school wanted her to wear a skirt. She was an enthusiastic athlete, playing baseball and football. She even held leadership roles (team captain). The child of a single parent (her father), she struggled with learning. Mr. Schultz said, “Peppermint Patty, the tomboy, is forthright, doggedly loyal, with a devastating singleness of purpose.” Thank you for expanding the norms, Peppermint Patty.