Lamiaceae FAMILY

Mentha pulegium

Edibility

3/5

Medicinal

3/5

Safety & Hazards

In large quantities this plant, especially in the form of the extracted essential oil, can cause abortions so it should not be used by pregnant women[ 165 Title The Dictionary of Modern Herbalism. Publication Author Mills. S. Y. Publisher Year ISBN Description An excellent small herbal. ].

Botanical Description

Mentha pulegium is a herbaceous perennial plant with stems that are usually prostrate, but occasionally erect. The stems root at the nodes, the plant forming a mat of growth usually 10 - 30cm tall[ 17 Title Flora of the British Isles. Publication Author Clapham, Tutin and Warburg. Publisher Cambridge University Press Year 1962 ISBN - Description A very comprehensive flora, the standard reference book but it has no pictures. ]. The plant has a long history of use as a medicinal herb and is harvested from the wild for local use as a food, medicine and source of materials. It is sometimes cultivated commercially for its essential oil and is often grown in gadens for its many uses[ 317 Title Mansfeld's Database of Agricultural and Horticultural Plants Publication Author Website http://mansfeld.ipk-gatersleben.de/pls/htmldb_pgrc/f?p=185:3:4292127278597336 Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description Terse details of a huge range of useful plants. ].

Habitat & Origin

Origintemperate

Native RangeCentral and southern Europe to western Asia - Britain to Portugal, east to the Caucasus and Iran; throughout the Mediterranean region

HabitatMoist meadows and sandy soils by streams etc[ 9 Title Edible and Medicinal Plants. Publication Author Launert. E. Publisher Hamlyn Year 1981 ISBN 0-600-37216-2 Description Covers plants in Europe. a drawing of each plant, quite a bit of interesting information. , 17 Title Flora of the British Isles. Publication Author Clapham, Tutin and Warburg. Publisher Cambridge University Press Year 1962 ISBN - Description A very comprehensive flora, the standard reference book but it has no pictures. ].