Horsemint is a herb with stem from 40 to 120 cm in height. Leaves are oblong-elliptical to lanceolate. Flowers are purplish or white about 3-5 mm long. Mentha longifolia is a folk remedy and have been used as a traditional medicine in Iran and other countries. Studies have shown pharmacological and therapeutic effects of the plant. It has various pharmacological properties such as gastrointestinal, antimicrobial and nervous system effects. The pharmacological effects is due to the presence of pulegone followed by menthone, menthol, isomenthone, borneol, 8-cineole and piperitenone. Furthermore, the dose exerts toxic effects in different systems of the body.

Culinary uses

• Leaves and seeds are consumed raw or cooked.
• It is used as a flavoring for salads, cooked foods and chutneys.
• Leaves are used to make herbal tea.
• The essential oil obtained from leaves and flowering tops are used to flavor sweets.

Traditional uses

• Flowering stems and leaves act as antispasmodic, antiasthmatic, stimulant and carminative.
• Tea made from leaves is used for treating headaches, fevers and digestive disorders.
• Native American Indian tribes use horsemint to treat nausea and vomiting and also to encourage perspiration during colds.
• Apply it externally as a poultice for treating swellings as well as rheumatic pains.
• Infusion made from leaves is used for treating flatulence, indigestion, nausea and catarrh in upper respiratory tract.
• Apply the poultice to lower pain of arthritic joints by promoting flow of blood in area.
• Use it internally for measles, rheumatism, colds and stomach pains.
• Apply the poultice made from mashed leaves to cure swellings.

References:

https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=32272#null

https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Mentha+longifolia

http://www.naturalmedicinalherbs.net/herbs/m/mentha-longifolia=horsemint.php

https://extension.usu.edu/rangeplants/forbsherbaceous/horsemint

http://www.naturalmedicinalherbs.net/herbs/m/monarda-punctata=horse-mint.php

https://practicalplants.org/wiki/Monarda_punctata

 

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Horsemint Quick Facts
Name:	Horsemint
Scientific Name:	Mentha longifolia

Name	Horsemint
Scientific Name	Mentha longifolia
Common/English Name	Marsh woundwort, Marjoram, The teak tree, Basil, Holy basil, Oregano, Thyme, Savory, Lavender, Scarlet bee balm, Lemon balm, Bugle, Notherwort, Catnip, Self-heal, Ground ivy, The chaste tree, Wall germander, Jupiter’s sage, Fragrant premna
Name in Other Languages	Chinese:   欧薄荷  ou bo he English:  downy mint, horse mint, mint French:  menthe à longues feuilles German:  bibel – minze, kahle rossminze,  rossminze Japanese:  ナガバハッカ nagaba hakka,     メンサ・ロンギフォリア  mensa rongiforia Portuguese:  erva-de-são-lourenço, hisopo, menta-selvagem, poejo  (brazil), poejo-real Russian:   мята длиннолистная, мята лесная  (as m.sylvestris)
Stem	40-120  cm  in height
Leaf	Oblong-elliptical to lanceolate
Flower	Purplish or white, 3‑5  mm  long