FIELD MINT
(Mentha arvensis - Mint Family)
Edible and medicinal value:
Mint was used by different Indian tribes in various ways. Several tribes used mint tea for colds, coughs, and fevers. The mint leaves were used to treat rheumatism and arthritis by the Kutenai Indians. Flathead Indians packed the leaves around a decayed tooth to bring relief. Cheyennes would use it as a perfume -- they would chew the leaves and put them on their bodies. Other tribes used the powdered leaves on meat and berries to repel bugs.
Mint was also used as a flavoring for meats, vegetables and soups.
Habitat:
Inhabits damp soil -- wet woods and near stream banks, springs and bogs.
Description:
The most obvious identification feature of the Mint is its strong-odor. this plant grows from one to three feet with small light blue or light pink flowers which cluster in the leaf axils (the upper angle formed by the leaf and the stem). The stems of the Mint are square and its finely toothed leaves are attached opposite each other.
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