- Mentha citrata
-
Mentha citrata 
Scientific classification Kingdom: Plantae (unranked): Angiosperms (unranked): Eudicots (unranked): Asterids Order: Lamiales Family: Lamiaceae Genus: Mentha Species: M. citrata Binomial name Mentha citrata
Ehrh.Mentha citrata (Ehrh.) (syn. Mentha × piperita L. var. citrata (Ehrh.) Briq.; syn. Mentha x aquatica var. citrata (Ehrh.) Benth.[1]; syn. Mentha odorata) is a herb. It is also known as Bergamot mint, Eau-de-cologne Mint, Horsemint, Lemon Mint, Lime Mint, Orange Mint, Pineapple Mint, Su Nanesi, Water Capitate Mint, Water Mint, Watermunt, Wild Water Mint, and in Central America Yerba Buena.[2]
Contents
Description
The whole plant is smooth, dotted with yellow glands and is of a dark green color, generally tinged with purple, especially the margins of the leaves, which are finely toothed. There are very conspicuous lines of yellow glands on the purple calyx.[3]
This herb has a characteristic lemon odor when crushed. It is sometimes used to make a tasteful tea similar to lemonade, with medicinal value.
Medicinal uses
A tea made from the fresh or dried leaves has traditionally been used:[4][2]
- for stomach aches, nausea, parasites and other digestive disorders,
- for nerves and sick stomach, and
- for fevers and headaches.
The leaves and flowering plant have analgesic, antiseptic, antispasmodic, carminative, cholagogic, diaphoretic, and vasodilator properties.[2] Like other members of the genus Mentha, it is best not used by pregnant women because large doses can cause miscarriage.[2]
References
- ^ Umberto Quattrocchi (1947–). CRC World dictionary of plant names: Common names, Scientific Names, Eponyms, Sonyonyms, and Etymology. III M–Q. CRC Press. pp. 1659.
- ^ a b c d "Plants for a Future - Mentha x piperita citrata - (Ehrh.) Briq.". http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Mentha%20x%20piperita%20citrata. Retrieved March 27, 2006.
- ^ "Medicinal Herbs". Archived from the original on August 7, 2007. http://web.archive.org/web/20070807015027/http://v72.org/medicinal_mints.htm. Retrieved March 27, 2006.
- ^ Brook Caughlin. "Selected Plants of Medicinal Value in Costa Rica". University of New Hampshire, IROP Program. Archived from the original on August 2, 2008. http://web.archive.org/web/20080802223656/http://www.unh.edu/herbarium/Poisonous/plantdict.html. Retrieved March 27, 2006.
See also
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