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.
Horsemint-flower
Horsemint-leaves
Horsemint-plant-illustration
Culinary uses
Horsemint-flower
Horsemint-leaves
Horsemint-plant-illustration
- 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 |