Mint

So called from the nymph Minthē, daughter of Cocyʹtus, aud a favourite of Pluto. This nymph was metamorphosed by Pluto’s wife (Proserpine) out of jealousy, into the herb called after her name. The fable is quite obvious, and simply means that mint is a capital medicine. Minthē was a favourite of Pluto, or death, that is, was sick and on the point of death; but was changed into the herb mint, or was cured thereby.

“Could Pluto’s queen, with jealous fury storm

And Minthē to a fragrant herb transform?”

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Entry taken from Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, edited by the Rev. E. Cobham Brewer, LL.D. and revised in 1895.