Mentha

The genus Mentha belongs to the family Lamiaceae has many species and cultivars depending on the geographical origin and distribution. Mentha is directly used as a flavoring agent in foods and culinary items. The extract of mint has strong medicinal properties due to the presence of various terpenoids and essential oils which is the indirect use in different pharmaceutical products. M. piperita is the most prevalent for high concentration of menthol production which is the chief component of its essential oil along with menthone, pulegone and limonene are the other leading compounds as determined by GC-MS analysis. Mentha has many health benefits due to its richness in nutrition, useful in dieting, the best cleanser, relieves skin diseases, excellent for respiratory system, stomach problems, useful for headache and mental health, blood pressure control, restful sleep and to get rid of bad breath. It is very common and cheapest herb may easily be cultivated in pots and lawns by stem cuttings. However, the use of biotechnological applications may be helpful for improved and high yielding germplasm production to meet the ever-increasing needs of human being.