Mentha Aquatica (Water Mint) Seeds
The plant known as water mint grows from the soil and produces a white flower with pink petals. The leaves are small, greenish yellow or orange in color. They grow up to 2 inches long and 1/2 inch wide. The flowers last only one day before falling off to form a seed pod which then falls to the ground where it germinates into new plants. These plants are native to tropical regions of South America.
They have been cultivated for their medicinal properties since ancient times. Some believe they were used as an aphrodisiac during the time of the Incas.
In addition to its use as a medicine, water mint is also used in traditional Ayurvedic medicines and folk remedies. According to Wikipedia: “Ayurveda is a branch of modern Indian medical science based on Hindu philosophy and practices.”
It is believed that water mint contains the following active ingredients:
1) Menthol (Citral) – A natural substance found in the essential oil of Mentha species.
It helps relieve pain and inflammation. It is considered to be effective against cough, colds, sore throat, sinus infections and bronchitis.
2) Benzyl alcohol (Etonite) – An antiseptic and disinfectant.
It kills bacteria, fungi and viruses.
3) Camphor (Camphore) – A waxy substance extracted from the camphor tree.
It is used as an anti-inflammatory in ointments and salves.
4) Carvone (D-Carvone, D-Thuane) – Used as a sedative, antispasmodic and diuretic.
5) Menthol – see above.
6) Menthyl Acetate – see above.
7) p-Cymene – Used as an expectorant to loosen mucus during a cough.
8) Terpineol (Terpinen-4-Ol) – It has been used as an anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory, and a pain reliever.
Sources & references used in this article:
Coliform bacteria removal from sewage in constructed wetlands planted with Mentha aquatica by FF Avelar, AT de Matos, MP de Matos… – Environmental …, 2014 – Taylor & Francis
Studying of essential oil variations in leaves of Mentha species by B Abbaszadeh, SA Valadabadi… – African Journal of …, 2009 – academicjournals.org
Essential Oil of Mentha aquatica var. Kenting Water Mint Suppresses Two-Stage Skin Carcinogenesis Accelerated by BRAF Inhibitor Vemurafenib by CT Chang, WN Soo, YH Chen, LF Shyur – Molecules, 2019 – mdpi.com
Mentha aquatica (Water Mint): MaltaWildPlants. com-the online Flora of the Maltese Islands. by S Mifsud – 2002 – maltawildplants.com
Performance of a wall cascade constructed wetland treating surfactant-polluted water by J Tamiazzo, S Breschigliaro, M Salvato… – … Science and Pollution …, 2015 – Springer
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