Mentha x piperita citrata
Eau De Cologne Mint
a perennial member of the Mentha genus in the family Labiatae.
Taxonomy and growth
Uses
Toxicity
Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Although no specific mention has been seen for this sub-species, it should be noted that, in large quantities, the closely allied M. x piperita vulgaris can cause abortions, especially when used in the form of the extracted essential oil, so it should not be used by pregnant women.
Edible uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Leaves - raw or cooked. Used as a flavouring in salads or cooked foods[21]. A very pungent flavour, the leaves of the true eau-de-cologne mint are too aromatic for most tastes, though the cultivar 'Basil' has an excellent flavour and makes a very good substitute for basil in pesto[K]. A herb tea is made from the fresh or dried leaves[12][9].
- Product or use
- Condiment
- Product or use
- Tea
- Plant part
- Leaves
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.
Eau de Cologne mint, like many other members of this genus, is often used as a domestic herbal remedy, being valued especially for its antiseptic properties and its beneficial effect on the digestion. Like other members of the genus, it is best not used by pregnant women because large doses can cause an abortion. The leaves and flowering plant are anodyne, antiseptic, antispasmodic, carminative, cholagogue, diaphoretic, refrigerant, stomachic, tonic, vasodilator[19][22][12][6]. A tea made from the leaves has traditionally been used in the treatment of fevers, headaches, digestive disorders and various minor ailments[13]. The medicinal uses of this herb are more akin to lavender (Lavandula spp) than the mints. It is used to treat infertility, rapid heartbeat, nervous exhaustion etc[15]. The leaves are harvested as the plant comes into flower and can be dried for later use[15]. The essential oil in the leaves is antiseptic, though it is toxic in large doses[13].
- Product or use
- Anodyne
- Product or use
- Antiseptic
- Product or use
- Antispasmodic
- Product or use
- Carminative
- Product or use
- Cholagogue
- Product or use
- Diaphoretic
- Product or use
- Refrigerant
- Product or use
- Stomachic
- Product or use
- Tonic
- Product or use
- Vasodilator
Material uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
An essential oil obtained from the whole plant is a source of lavender oil which is used in perfumery[20][2][15]. It is also used in oral hygiene preparations, toiletries etc[15]. Formerly used as a strewing herb[4], the plant repels insects, rats etc[4][8][10]. Rats and mice intensely dislike the smell of mint. The plant was therefore used in homes as a strewing herb and has also been spread in granaries to keep the rodents off the grain[17].
- Product or use
- Essential
- Product or use
- Repellent
- Product or use
- Strewing
Environment
- Range
- Britain.
- Habitat
- A natural hybrid, M. aquatica x M. spicata found in moist soils on the sides of ditches, roadsides etc in S. England[21][7].
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- light shade
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- Zone 3+
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy, clay, heavy clay
- Soil pH
- acid, neutral, alkaline
- 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. Germination is usually fairly quick. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and plant them out in the summer. Mentha species are very prone to hybridisation and so the seed cannot be relied on to breed true. Even without hybridisation, seedlings will not be uniform and so the content of medicinal oils etc will vary. When growing plants with a particular aroma it is best to propagate them by division[K]. Division can be easily carried out at almost any time of the year, though it is probably best done in the spring or autumn to allow the plant to establish more quickly. Virtually any part of the root is capable of growing into a new plant. Larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. However, for maximum increase it is possible to divide the roots up into sections no more than 3cm long and pot these up in light shade in a cold frame. They will quickly become established and can be planted out in the summer.
Cultivation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
A very easily grown plant, it succeeds in most soils and situations so long as the soil is not too dry[1][11]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. A sunny position is best for the production of essential oils, but the plant also succeeds in partial shade. Prefers a slightly acid soil[5]. Plants are very tolerant of neglect, succeeding in long grass[K]. Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus. Most mints have fairly aggressive spreading roots and, unless you have the space to let them roam, they need to be restrained by some means such as planting them in containers that are buried in the soil[K]. The flowers are very attractive to bees and butterflies[16]. A good companion for growing near cabbages and tomatoes, helping to keep them free of insect pests[4][10]. The mint will need to be grown in containers to prevent it spreading too aggressively into the other plants. The whole plant has a strong minty aroma with a hint of ginger[18]. The plant produces a better quality essential oil if the plant is grown in dry ground[3]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[14].
References
F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00
Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing 1976-00-00
Johnson. C. P. The Useful Plants of Great Britain.
Holtom. J. and Hylton. W. Complete Guide to Herbs. Rodale Press 1979-00-00 ISBN 0-87857-262-7
Simons. New Vegetable Growers Handbook. Penguin 1977-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-050-0
Mills. S. Y. The Dictionary of Modern Herbalism.
Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press 1962-00-00
Philbrick H. and Gregg R. B. Companion Plants. Watkins 1979-00-00
Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9
Riotte. L. Companion Planting for Successful Gardening. Garden Way, Vermont, USA. 1978-00-00 ISBN 0-88266-064-0
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books 1983-00-00 ISBN 0-553-23827-2
Foster. S. & Duke. J. A. A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants. Eastern and Central N. America. Houghton Mifflin Co. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0395467225
Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants J. M. Dent & Sons, London. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0 460 86048 8
Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31
Baines. C. Making a Wildlife Garden.
Phillips. R. & Foy. N. Herbs Pan Books Ltd. London. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30725-8
Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. 1994-00-00 ISBN 0-7090-5440-8
Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9
Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00
Mabey. R. Food for Free. Collins 1974-00-00 ISBN 0-00-219060-5
Launert. E. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn 1981-00-00 ISBN 0-600-37216-2