WILD
FOODIES' HOME PAGE
PLANT PROFILE LIST
NAME: Virginia Mountain Mint
SPECIES / FAMILY: Pycnanthemum Muticum / Lamiaceae or Labiatae
OTHER COMMON NAME(S):
CONDITIONS:
sun/shade, dry soil
|
PARTS: |
EDIBLE |
TASTE |
RAW/COOK |
SEASON |
|
All |
|
|
|
|
|
Shoots |
|
|
|
|
|
Leaves |
|
spicy/mint |
COOK |
Summer |
|
Stalk/Stem |
|
|
|
|
|
Buds |
||||
|
Flowers |
|
|
|
|
|
Fruits |
|
|
|
|
|
Pods |
|
|||
|
Seeds |
|
|
|
|
|
Nuts |
|
|
|
|
|
Roots |
|
|
|
|
|
Bark |
|
|
|
|
PORTION: small
COMMENT: I love this mint! It has a minty, but also musky and moldy, look and fragrance. // Flower buds and leaves - raw or cooked. A mint-like flavour, they make a nice addition to salads or can be used as a condiment. The fresh or dried leaves are brewed into a refreshing mint-like tea.(1)
CAUTION: Any mint can be used for medicinal uses, but is also an insect and rodent repellent, so over consumption is not advised. // There is a suggestion that this plant can cause abortions, so it is best not used by pregnant women.(1) There are approximately 20 species in the genus, all native to (mostly) Northeastern parts of North America, with only the thin-leaved species being edible. The wider-leaved species contain higher quantities of pulegone, an insect repellent compound that can be toxic to the liver. Great for keeping mosquitoes at bay; not so great for consumption.(4) However, PFAF does not make that statement.(1)
NUTRITION/MEDICINAL: A tea made from the leaves is alterative, diaphoretic and carminative. A poultice of the leaves is used in the treatment of headaches. The tea is also used in the treatment of menstrual disorders, indigestion, colic, coughs, colds, chills and fevers. The flowering stems are cut as flowering begins and they can be used fresh or dried.(1)
RELATED: Many varieties - https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Pycnanthemum+muticum / https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pycnanthemum
POISONOUS LOOK-A-LIKES:
OTHER USES: “The flowers, when in bloom (mid-late summer) are an absolute pollinator magnet, bringing native bees, butterflies, and wasps into the garden that I have never seen before…They are also commonly used dried in potpourri mixes and I think it would also work well in a bath tea blend.”(4) Any mint is an insect and rodent repellent, just put some in a blender with water, sieve out fiber, use mint water to damp mop and dust. Also use to rinse woolen clothes to keep moths away.
SOURCE LINKS (may include nutritional and medicinal info, plus other uses):
