Eau de Cologne mint

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]

Eau de Cologne mint
Scientific 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.

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. "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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