Brewer's: Mint

So called from the nymph Minthe, daughter of Cocytus, and 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. Minthe 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 Minthe to a fragrant herb transform?

Qvid.

Source: Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, E. Cobham Brewer, 1894
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