Are thunderplant and mint the same vegetable? What is the difference between the two and schizonepeta?

The world is vast and full of wonders; whether it is people or flowers and plants, there are always many things that are visually hard to tell apart. Among them, the ones that often confuse both new and experienced flower growers are schizonepeta (Schizonepeta tenuifolia) and mint (Mentha). These two herbaceous plants are extremely similar in both flower and leaf form, so how can you tell them apart as quickly as possible when buying?

Differences in nature

Although schizonepeta and mint are extremely similar, there are certain differences between them in terms of nature and uses. First, schizonepeta mainly grows in dry environments, while mint prefers to grow in moist environments. Second, from a medicinal point of view, schizonepeta has a very good effect on treating fever, headache, vomiting and other conditions. Mint is a cooling herbaceous plant, so it is often used to treat symptoms such as headache, toothache and sore, swollen throat. In daily use, schizonepeta is mostly used in cold dressed dishes, while mint is mostly used in body wash or for medicinal purposes; rubbed on the body it feels cool and very refreshing.

Differences in taste

In terms of the scent it gives off, mint has the effect of refreshing the mind and waking you up, so its taste is somewhat bitter; put it in your mouth and you feel a coolness rising from your throat, making it an indispensable summer treat for beating the heat. Schizonepeta, by comparison, has a milder taste with a slight bitterness; when making cold dressed dishes, add a little minced garlic and vinegar and mix it together to eat, and the part eaten is mostly the leaves, not the stems.

Differences in appearance

In appearance and form, schizonepeta leaves are relatively smaller than mint leaves; schizonepeta leaves are oval or lanceolate, while mint leaves are mostly oval or heart shaped. In color, schizonepeta has a bit of yellow besides green, while mint leaves are all bright green.

Differences in effects

Specifically, because schizonepeta has a good hemostatic effect, clinically it is often used for symptoms such as anemia, low blood pressure, dizziness and general weakness caused by excessive bleeding after childbirth; regularly eating schizonepeta can relieve or eliminate the occurrence of these symptoms. Mint, however, has no use in stopping bleeding. Overall, both of these medicinal herbs can bring people the effect of regulating and nourishing the body.