Mentha after Minthe of Theophrastus, changed by Proserpine into a mint plant and arvensis meaning "of cultivated ground".

Grows to 3 feet (generally a little shorter) in various wet habitats. Pink to lavender flowers occur in dense globes on the square stem at the leaf bases during the months of July and August. Leaves emit a strong minty smell when crushed or bruised.

Early Iowa Native Americans made a tea from the leaves and tops of this plant for curing or treating fevers. Early settlers used the entire plant for its antispasmodic qualities and to treat rheumatism.

Leaves - raw or cooked. Fragrant and pleasant tasting, the leaves are used as a flavouring in salads or cooked foods. Edible Uses: A herb tea is made from the leaves.

Medicinal Uses: American wild mint, like many other members of this genus, is often used as a domestic herbal remedy, being valued especially for its antiseptic properties and its beneficial effect on the digestion. Like other members of the genus, it is best not used by pregnant women because large doses can cause an abortion. 

Other Uses: The plant is used as an insect repellent. Rats and mice intensely dislike the smell of mint. The plant was therefore used in homes as a strewing herb and has also been spread in granaries to keep the rodents off the grain.

An essential oil is obtained from the leaves, it is used as a flavouring for toothpastes etc. It contains thymol and pulegone.

Herbal Uses: Unkown