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 Linalyl acetate, an organic compound, is the acetate ester of linalool. phytochemical found in many flowers and spice plants. It is one of the principal components of the essential oils of bergamot and lavender. It often occurs together with ...

(45%) and linalool (45-50%), which make up around 90% of the oil. 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.

Traditional 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.

References

{{Taxonbar, from1=Q65556563, from2=Q161232, from3=Q2607185 Mentha