Water Mint

(Mentha aquatica)

Other Names:

Corn Mint, Field Mint

Range:
Non-Native

Family:
Lamiaceae - Mint Family

Growth Type:
Herbaceous perennial

Height:
Can grow to approximately 3 feet tall.

Leaves:
he simple ovate to lanceolate leaves are arranged opposite one another along the stem. They can grow up to 2½ inches long and perhaps 1½ inches wide. They are usually green, but sometimes have a purplish cast to them. The margins are toothed and the surfaces vary from pubescent (hairy) to almost glabrous (hairless).

Stem/Trunk:
ike most mints, the stems are square in cross section. They are green or purple colored and range from pubescent (hairy) to almost glabrous (hairless).

Root:
Rhizome

Flower Season:
Mid summer to late summer

Flower Appearance:
The tiny, tubular, pinkish to lavender colored flowers of the watermint grow at the top of the stem in a densely crowded inflorescence.

Miscellaneous characteristics:
All parts of the plant have a distinctly minty smell.

Habitat:
Mints love moist places in temperate climates. Therefore you will find them along streams, rivers, and lakes,

Parts Used:
Aerial Parts

Culinary Uses:
Mints make wonderfully aromatic and healthful teas. Mints can be used as a seasoning in cooking, They lend themselves particularly well to lamb, goat, and pork. When used sparingly they are also wonderful on fish.

Energetics
Taste: Pungent
Thermal: Cooling
Humidity: Drying

Medicinal Indications:
Works to slow peristalsis which in turn treats dyspepsia, flatulence, intestinal colic, and IBS. As an emmenagogue, vermifuge, lactation enhancer and sedative.

Medicinal Conditions Treated:
Amenorrhea, Bronchitis, Constipation, Diabetes, Diarrhea, Bacillary Dysentery, Dysmenorrhea, Dyspepsia, Fevers, Flatulence, Gastritis, Intestinal Colic, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Hypertension, Jaundice, Nausea, Pain, Respiratory tract infections (RTI).

Medicinal Actions:
Analgesic, Antidiarrheal, Antihypertensive, Antimicrobial, Antispasmodic, Carminative, Choleretic, Emmenagogue, Febrifuge, Vermifuge