Mint Scientific Name, Types, Uses, Benefits, and Leaves

What is the scientific name of mint? The mint scientific name is mentha (genus).

Mint is one of the most famous species of herbs in the world, known for its cooling flavor and fresh aroma, and commonly used in cooking, herbal remedies, cosmetics, and in various cultural traditions. In this article, we will cover the mint scientific name, types of mint, uses, benefits, and why these leaves are so cosmically valued.

What is the scientific name of mint?

Mentha is the scientific name for the mint plant. It falls under the family Lamiaceae, which also embraces basil, rosemary, and sage.

• Biological name for mint leaves: Mentha

The variant form of mentha is derived from Greek mythology, where a nymph named Manthe is said to have transformed into a fragrant herb, known as mint.

How to pronounce the mint scientific name

Mentha is pronounced in both American and British English as MEN-thuh (/ˈmɛnθə/ in IPA), with emphasis on the first syllable. The “th” should be pronounced like in “thin,” and the final “a” is pronounced like a short “uh.”

Here is an explanation for its pronunciation:

• MEN: (like the word “men”)
• thuh: (like the “th” in the word “thin” followed by the “uh” sound like in the word “sofa”)

Biological meaning of the scientific name of mint

Mint’s scientific name, Mentha, comes from a story in Greek mythology about a nymph named Menthe, who was transformed into the fragrant herb. Within this genus, each species has its own meaning. For example, peppermint (Mentha × piperita) and spearmint (Mentha spicata) are two well-known varieties with separate identities.

Biological Classification of Mint Plant

Mint is part of the Mentha genus, a group of aromatic herbs that fall into the Lamiaceae family, commonly known as the mint family. Here is a detailed scientific classification of mint: