Practical
Plants

Cunila origanoides

Stone Mint

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

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Taxonomy and growth

Family
Labiatae
Genus
Cunila
Life cycle
perennial
Height
0.3 m
Flower type
hermaphrodite

Uses

Edible uses

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

The fresh or dried leaves can be used to make a tea. A pleasant mint-like flavour[1].

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.

An essential oil, known as cunila oil, obtained from the plant is antiseptic, aromatic and stimulant[7][2][6]. A tea made from the leaves is used to treat headaches, colds and fevers[3][5]. It is believed to induce menstruation and perspiration[4].

Product or use
Antiseptic
Product or use
Aromatic
Product or use
Diaphoretic
Product or use
Emmenagogue
Product or use
Febrifuge
Product or use
Stimulant

Material uses

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

An essential oil, called 'Oil of Dittany' is extracted from this plant. It has medicinal properties and is valued as an antiseptic[2]. A bunch of the plant can be used to repel insects, it is effective against horseflies[3].

Product or use
Essential
Product or use
Repellent

Environment

Range
Eastern N. America - New York to Florida, west to Texas and Illinois.
Habitat
Dry open woods and thickets[4][6].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 6+
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 cold frame[2]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Division in spring[2]. Basal cuttings in late spring or early summer[2]. Harvest the shoots when they are about 10cm 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.

An easily grown plant, succeeding in a variety of soil types[2]. It thrives in dry soils, preferably of a sandy well-drained nature, preferring a position in full sun[2]. Plants are hardy to about -20°c[2]. The plant has aromatic foliage and the flowers are a good source of nectar for bees[2].

References

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

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7↩8↩9

  3. Coffey. T. The History and Folklore of North American Wild Flowers. Facts on File. 1993-00-00 ISBN 0-8160-2624-6

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩1↩2

  5. Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. 1998-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-453-9

    ↩

  6. Diggs, Jnr. G.M.; Lipscomb. B. L. & O'Kennon. R. J Illustrated Flora of North Central Texas Botanical Research Institute, Texas. 1999-00-00 http://artemis.austincollege.edu/acad/bio/gdiggs/NCTXpdf.htm

    ↩1↩2

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

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