Lamiaceae FAMILY

Mentha aquatica

Edibility

2/5

Medicinal

3/5

Safety & Hazards

Although no records of toxicity have been seen for this species, large quantities of some members of this genus, especially when taken in the form of the extracted essential oil, can cause abortions so some caution is advised.

Botanical Description

Mentha aquatica is an erect, herbaceous perennial plant growing from a spreading, rhizomatous rootstock. It forms a loose cluster of branched stems that can grow from 50 - 150cm tall[ 610 Title Flora of Tropical East Africa Publication Author Beentje H.J. Website http://plants.jstor.org/search?st=396814 Publisher Royal Botanic Gardens; Kew. Year 2002 ISBN Description Available on-line, a modern flora of East Africa. ]. The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food, medicine and source of materials. Water mint has been cultivated for probably more than 2,000 years for use as an aromatic and medicinal plant and is stillgrown in a small scale, especially a glabrous form that is grown in northern Italy as a source of the essential oil linalool[ 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 RangeThroughout Europe, except northern Russia, to the Caucasus and Iran; West Siberia, Mediterranean Africa, east and south Africa

HabitatSwamps, fen, marshes, near rivers, streams and ponds, in wet woods[ 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. ].