Eau de Cologne mint | |
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Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Clade: | Asterids |
Order: | Lamiales |
Family: | Lamiaceae |
Genus: | Mentha |
Species: | |
Variety: | M. a. var. citrata
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Trinomial name | |
Mentha aquatica var. citrata | |
Synonyms[1] | |
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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]
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]
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]