MENTHA VIRIDIS 215 



and the like, came from the domestic use of honey. 

 These confections long preceded the use of honey by 

 licensed physicians. Burton, in his edition of the Ara- 

 bian Nights, says: 



"Zardah (yellow rice) is a word still used in Turkey, 

 and refers to a dish of rice dressed in honey and saffron." 



MENTHA PIPERITA (Peppermint) 



Official in each edition of U. S. P., from 1820 to 1910. 



Peppermint (Mentha piperitd) is found throughout 

 North America as well as in England and the Conti- 

 nent. As described by Ray, (536), the clergyman 

 botanist, in his Historia Plantarum, 1704, under the 

 title "Mentha palustris Peper-Mint," it is recom- 

 mended as a remedy for weakness of the stomach and 

 for diarrhea. It was extensively cultivated in some 

 parts of England as early as 1750, the herb being car- 

 ried to London for distillation and the making of the 

 oil. Peppermint is a favorite domestic herb used in 

 decoction as a stimulant and also as a flavor. Fresh 

 mint is employed to flavor a popular Kentucky al- 

 coholic beverage made of whiskey, known as mint 

 julep. This should be made by inverting (tops down), 

 in the sweetened, diluted whiskey, a small bunch of 

 young mint sprouts, thus imparting the delicate 

 aroma of the leaves, but not the bitterness of the broken 

 stems. 



MENTHA VIRIDIS (Spearmint) 



Official in all editions of U. S. P., from 1820 to 1910. 



Spearmint, Mentha spicata, (formerly official under 

 the botanical name of Mentha viridis) is common 

 throughout Europe, Asia and North America, and, es- 



