Lagochilus inebrians
Intoxicating Mint
a perennial woody deciduous member of the Lagochilus genus in the family Labiatae.
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Labiatae
- Genus
- Lagochilus
- Life cycle
- perennial
- Foliage
- deciduous
- Woodiness
- woody
- Height
- 1 m
- Flower type
- hermaphrodite
Uses
Edible uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
A bitter-tasting tea is made from the dried branches, it is usually sweetened with sugar before being drunk[1]. See also the notes on medicinal uses below.
- 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.
The branches are antispasmodic, haemostatic, hallucinogenic, hypotensive and sedative[1]. An infusion is also used internally in the treatment of allergies and the shrub has also been used to treat skin disorders[1]. The branches are harvested in the autumn after flowering and are dried for later use[1]. They become more fragrant and medicinally active once they have been dried[1].
- Product or use
- Antispasmodic
- Product or use
- Haemostatic
- Product or use
- Hallucinogenic
- Product or use
- Hypotensive
- Product or use
- Sedative
Environment
- Range
- Europe to C. Asia.
- Habitat
- Steppes[1].
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- no shade
- Water
- moderate
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy
- Soil pH
- acid, neutral, alkaline
- Drainage
- well drained
- Tolerances
- drought
- Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
- No
- Drought
- tolerant
Propagation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Seed - We have no information on this species but suggest sowing the seed in a greenhouse in the spring. Prick out the seedlings when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out in late spring or early summer and consider giving them some protection from winter rain[K].
Cultivation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain, though it experiences very cold winters in its native range[1] and so should be completely cold-hardy in this country. The main problem it is likely to face is with our cool damp weather. It comes from a sunny and fairly arid region of the world with a continental climate and so it is likely to require a very sunny position in a well-drained dry soil.
References
Emboden. W. Narcotic Plants Studio Vista 1979-00-00 ISBN 0-289-70864-8