Practical
Plants

Agastache rugosa

Korean Mint

a perennial member of the Agastache genus in the family Labiatae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Family
Labiatae
Life cycle
perennial
Height
1 m
Spread
0.6 m
Fertility
Self fertile, Bees
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Bees

Uses

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Young leaves - raw or cooked[5]. A strong anise-like fragrance, they are normally used as a flavouring[6] or as an addition to the salad bowl[10]. We find them a bit coarse and too strong for use as a salad[K]. The leaves can be used as a tea substitute[6]. A pleasant flavour[10]. The seed is possibly edible[5]. No further details. The seed certainly should not be poisonous, but it is very small and its use would be very fiddly[K].

Product or use
Condiment
Product or use
Tea
Plant part
Leaves
Plant part
Seed

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Korean mint is commonly used in Chinese herbalism, where it is considered to be one of the 50 fundamental herbs[8]. Considered to be a \"warming\" herb, it is used in situations where there is \"dampness\" within the digestive system, resulting in poor digestion and reduced vitality[12]. The leaves and stems are antibacterial, antifungal, aromatic, carminative, diaphoretic, febrifuge and stomachic[3][4][8][10][14]. They are used internally to improve the appetite and strengthen the digestive system[10], they relieve symptoms such as abdominal bloating, indigestion, nausea and vomiting[12]. They are also used to treat morning sickness[12]. The leaves are also used in the treatment of chest congestion, diarrhoea and headaches[8]. An infusion of the leaves is used in the treatment of angina pains[9]. The plant is used as a folk remedy for cancer, extracts of the plant have shown anticancer activity[8].

Product or use
Antibacterial
Product or use
Antifungal
Product or use
Antipyretic
Product or use
Aromatic
Product or use
Cancer
Product or use
Carminative
Product or use
Diaphoretic
Product or use
Febrifuge
Product or use
Refrigerant
Product or use
Stomachic

Environment

Range
E. Asia - China, Japan, Korea, Siberia
Habitat
Grassy places in mountains, especially by streams, and in valleys all over Japan[15]. Sunny, more or less stony meadows from the lowlands to elevations of 1500 metres[13].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 8+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - sow spring in a greenhouse and only just cover the seed. The seed usually germinates in 1 - 3 months at 13°c[2]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first year. Plant out in late spring or early summer[K]. Division in spring. Fairly simple, if large divisions are used it is possible to plant them straight out into their permanent positions. Basal cuttings of young shoots in spring[1]. Harvest the young shoots when they are about 10 - 15cm tall and pot them up in a lightly shaded position in a greenhouse. They should root within 3 weeks and can be planted out in the summer or following spring.

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Prefers a sunny sheltered position and a well-drained soil[7]. This species is not hardy in the colder areas of the country, it tolerates temperatures down to between -5 and -10°c[7]. The flowers are very attractive to bees[11].

References

  1. Sanders. T. W. Popular Hardy Perennials. Collingridge 1926-00-00

    ↩

  2. Rice. G. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 1. Thompson and Morgan. 1987-00-00

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  3. ? A Barefoot Doctors Manual. Running Press ISBN 0-914294-92-X

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  4. Yeung. Him-Che. Handbook of Chinese Herbs and Formulas. Institute of Chinese Medicine, Los Angeles 1985-00-00

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  5. Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169

    ↩1↩2

  6. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

    ↩1↩2

  7. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2

  8. Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. 1985-00-00 ISBN 0-917256-20-4

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  9. Foster. S. & Duke. J. A. A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants. Eastern and Central N. America. Houghton Mifflin Co. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0395467225

    ↩

  10. Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  11. Phillips. R. & Foy. N. Herbs Pan Books Ltd. London. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30725-8

    ↩

  12. Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London 1996-00-00 ISBN 9-780751-303148

    ↩1↩2↩3

  13. Flora of Japan www.foj.info

    ↩

  14. Medicinal Plants in the Republic of Korea World Health Organisation, Manila 1998-00-00 ISBN 92 9061 120 0

    ↩

  15. Ohwi. G. Flora of Japan. (English translation) Smithsonian Institution 1965-00-00

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