Practical
Plants

Calamintha sylvatica

Calamint

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

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Taxonomy and growth

Family
Labiatae
Life cycle
perennial
Height
0.6 m
Spread
0.5 m
Fertility
Bees, Insects
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Bees, Insects

Uses

Edible uses

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

A sweet and aromatic herb tea is made from the leaves[6]. Very refreshing[10][6]. Leaves - used as a flavouring in cooked dishes[4]. Pleasantly pungent and strongly aromatic, the flavour is said to resemble a cross between mint and marjoram[5].

Product or use
Condiment
Product or use
Tea

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.

Calamint was commonly used as a medicinal herb in medieval times, though is little used by modern herbalists[7]. It has very similar properties to lesser calamint (C. nepeta) though is milder in its actions[7]. It is sometimes cultivated as a medicinal herb for household use. The whole plant is aromatic, diaphoretic and expectorant[10]. The leaves are harvested in July as the plant comes into flower and are dried for storage[10]. An infusion is beneficial in cases of fevers, flatulent colic and weaknesses of the stomach[10], it is also used to treat depression, insomnia and painful menstruation[7]. Its expectorant action makes it a good cough and cold remedy and it is of value for treating mild respiratory infections[9]. It is best mixed with other herbs, especially yarrow (Achillea millefolium) and Thyme (Thymus vulgaris)[9]. Calamint should not be prescribed for pregnant women since in excess it can cause a miscarriage[7].

Product or use
Aromatic
Product or use
Diaphoretic
Product or use
Expectorant
Product or use
Stomachic

Environment

Range
Western Europe, including Britain, from France and W. Germany south to Spain, Algeria and N. Syria.
Habitat
Dry grassy banks, usually on calcareous soils, from southern Britain north to Durham and Yorkshire[11][3].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 6+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline, very 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. It usually germinates in 2 weeks at 21°c[2]. Prick out the seedlings when they are large enough to handle and, if they grow sufficiently, plant them out into their permanent positions in the summer otherwise wait until the following spring. Division in spring. Very easy, larger clumps can be planted direct into their permanent positions. It is best to pot up smaller clumps and grow them on in a cold frame until they are well rooted before planting them out in the summer. Basal cuttings in May or June. They should be rooted in a sandy compost[8]. Harvest the shoots when they are about 10 - 15cm long with plenty of underground stem. Pot them up into individual pots and keep them in light shade in a cold frame or greenhouse until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the summer.

Cultivation

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

Succeeds in a well-drained dry to moist neutral to alkaline soil and a sunny position[1]. Likes semi-shade[6]. Succeeds in a woodland garden[6]. Bees love the flowers of this plant[K].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

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  2. Bird. R. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 3. Thompson and Morgan. 1989-00-00

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  3. Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press 1962-00-00

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

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

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  8. Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. 1994-00-00 ISBN 0-7090-5440-8

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

    ↩1↩2

  10. Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  11. Mabey. R. Food for Free. Collins 1974-00-00 ISBN 0-00-219060-5

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