338 ORD. XIX. Veriticillate. MENTHA VIRIDIS. 
penetrating pungency of pepper-mint.* Rectified spirit, drawn 
off with a gentle heat from the tincture made in that menstruum, 
brings over little of the virtue of the herb, nearly all its pungency 
and warmth remaining concentrated in the extract.””* 
Its stomachic, antispasmodic, and carminative qualities renders it 
useful in flatulent colics, hysterical affections, retchings, and other 
dyspeptic symptoms, acting as a cordial, and often producing im- 
mediate relief. Its officinal preparations are an essential oil, a 
simple water, and a spirit. 
* Dr. Cullen observes, that ‘‘ reetification is particularly necessary and proper for 
this essential oil. What has been called essence of pepper-mint, seems to me to be no 
other than the rectified oil dissolved in spirit of wine.” Vide M. M. vol. i. p, 150, 
* Lewis, M. M. p. 422. 
We have already noticed that this plant yields camphor. See Gaud. Advers. 
p- 99. sqq. 
MENTHA VIRIDIS. : SPEAR MINT. 
SYNONYMA. Mentha sativa. Pharm. Lond. & Edinb. Mentha 
angustifolia spicata. Bauh. Pin. p. 227. Rati Hist. p. 532. 
Mentha angustifolia spicata, glabra folio rugosiore, odore 
graviore. Raii Synop. p. 233. Mentha romana. Gerard. Emac. 
p- 680. Mentha romana angustifolia, sive Cardiaca. Park. 
Theat. p. 31.. Mentha foliis elliptico-lanceolatis, spicis cylin- 
dricis glaberrimis. Hall. Stirp. Helv..n. 229. Mentha spicata. 
Hudson. Flor. Ang. p. 221. Mentha viridis. Withering. Bot. 
Arrang. p. 597. 
Class Didynamia. Ord. Gymnospermia. Lin. Gen. Plant. 7 13. 
Ess. Gen. Ch. Cor. Subzqualis, 4-fida: lacinia,latiore emarginata. 
Stamina erecta distantia. 
Sp. Ch. Me spicis oblongis, foliis lanceolatis nudis serratis sessilibus, 
. staminibus corolla longioribus. 
* 
