Eau de Cologne mint
Variety of flowering plant
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Eau de Cologne mint, also known as orange mint and bergamot mint, is a cultivated mint. In a 1970 study, most plants were found to be male sterile forms of Mentha aquatica, so were regarded as Mentha aquatica var. citrata, although in England the hybrid Mentha × piperita was found.[2] The Royal Horticultural Society treats Eau de Cologne mint as Mentha × piperita f. citrata.[3] The World Checklist of Selected Plant Families sinks both scientific names into Mentha aquatica.[1]
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| Eau de Cologne mint | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Embryophytes |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Spermatophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Lamiales |
| Family: | Lamiaceae |
| Genus: | Mentha |
| Species: | |
| Variety: | M. a. var. citrata |
| Trinomial name | |
| Mentha aquatica var. citrata | |
| Synonyms[1] | |
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Description
Eau de Cologne mint has a strong odor due to the two chemical constituents, linalyl acetate (45%) and linalool (45–50%), which make up around 90% of the oil.[4] Kiran, a high-yielding variety, produces 150 kg of oil/ha while keeping 45% of linalool. It is grown mainly in subtropical, fertile land such as northern India. The oil is mainly used in the perfumery industry.[5]
Medicinal uses
A tea made from the fresh or dried leaves of the plant has traditionally been used to treat stomach aches, nausea, parasites and nerves.[6]