You don’t have to be an expert to find out that some plants are similar in shape, taste, aroma, and characteristics. This is the magic of biodiversity. Two plants in the wild are never the same. Each one is unique, like us. But each one is related to another also, again, like all of us, who are distant relatives from a one common ancestor. This is what makes our planet unique and irreplaceable. There is no planet Earth #2 (as far as we know). We must respect each one of us and each species on earth. Because We Are All One.

This is almost the story of mint species. All of the same origin, but all of them with a special character. The genus Mentha is from Greek ‘mintha’. Even though there is a lot of research, it is unclear which is the original ancestor and from where. Mints are everywhere in the planet and natural hybrids are numerus and often overlap, meaning that we don’t know which species is the ‘father’ and which the ‘mother’. This is the beauty of this family.

In Greece mints have the same diversity, the number of species changing over the years, but some values staying strong. The intoxicating aroma of mint graces the riversides of Greece, heralding the soft hairy leaves of mountainous Greek mints.

Each corner of the earth has a different mint, who can tell “her story” of the habitat and the changes and adaptation she had to go through. These ‘adventures’ gave her ability to survive and her uniqueness to thrive. Her story can be our story.

 * The above is not medical advice but mere suggestions for improving your diet. Before reach herbal use you should consult your doctor, especially those who have health issues, are pregnant or are under the age of 6.

Evropi-Sofia Dalampira is an Agriculturist-MSc Botany-Biology and PhD Candidate in Agricultural-Environmental Education and Science Communication.