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. The Royal Horticultural Society treats Eau de Cologne mint as Mentha × piperita f. citrata. The World Checklist of Selected Plant Families sinks both scientific names into Mentha aquatica.
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.Murray, M. J., & Lincoln, D. E. (1970). "The Genetic Basis of Acyclic Oil Constituents in MENTHA CITRATA Ehrh". Genetics, 65(3), 457–471. 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.Niir Board (2004). Cultivation of tropical, subtropical vegetables, spices, medicinal, and aromatic plants. Nat Inst of Indust Res, New Delhi, 209–215.
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.
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