Eau de Cologne mint
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Lamiales
Family: Lamiaceae
Genus: Mentha
Species:
M. aquatica
Variety:
M. a. var. citrata
Trinomial name
Mentha aquatica var. citrata
(Ehrh.) W.C.Werner[1]
Synonyms[1]
  • Mentha citrata Ehrh.
  • Mentha aquatica f. citrata (Ehrh.) Fresen.
  • Mentha aquatica var. glabrata W.D.J.Koch in J.C.Röhling, nom. superfl.
  • Mentha × piperita subsp. citrata (Ehrh.) Briq.
  • Mentha × piperita var. citrata (Ehrh.) Fresen.

Eau de Cologne mint, also known as orange mint and bergamot mint, is a cultivated mint. In a 1970 study, most plants were found to be male sterile forms of Mentha aquatica, so were regarded as Mentha aquatica var. citrata, although in England the hybrid Mentha × piperita was found.[2] The Royal Horticultural Society treats eau de Cologne mint as Mentha × piperita f. citrata.[3] The World Checklist of Selected Plant Families sinks both scientific names into Mentha aquatica.[1]

Description

Eau de Cologne mint has a strong odor due to the two chemical constituents, linalyl acetate (45%) and linalool (45-50%), which make up around 90% of the oil.[4] Kiran, a high-yielding variety, produces 150 kg of oil/ha while keeping 45% of linalool. It is grown mainly in subtropical, fertile land such as northern India. The oil is mainly used in the perfumery industry.[5]

Traditional medicinal uses

A tea made from the fresh or dried leaves of the plant has traditionally been used to treat stomach aches, nausea, parasites and nerves.[6]

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Mentha aquatica var. citrata". World Checklist of Selected Plant Families. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 2019-07-14.
  2. ↑ Tucker, Arthur O.; Naczi, Robert F. C. (2007). "Mentha: An Overview of its Classification and Relationships". In Lawrence, Brian M. (ed.). Mint: The Genus Mentha. Boca Raton, Florida: CRC Press, Taylor and Francis Group. pp. 1–39. ISBN 978-0-8493-0779-9.
  3. ↑ "Mentha × piperita f. citrata". RHS Plants. Royal Horticultural Society. Retrieved 2019-07-14.
  4. ↑ Murray, M. J., & Lincoln, D. E. (1970). The Genetic Basis of Acyclic Oil Constituents in MENTHA CITRATA Ehrh. Genetics, 65(3), 457–471.
  5. ↑ Niir, B. (2004). Cultivation of tropical, subtropical vegetables, spices, medicinal, and aromatic plants. Nat Inst of Indust Res, New Delhi, 209-215.
  6. ↑ Brook Caughlin. "Selected Plants of Medicinal Value in Costa Rica". University of New Hampshire, IROP Program. Archived from the original on August 2, 2008. Retrieved March 27, 2006.
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