LABIATAE MINT FAMILY 



709 



of very wide distribution. Many of these plants are used in medicine. Lav- 

 ender (Lavandula vera) of the mountain regions of northern and eastern 

 Europe, is cultivated for the oil of lavender, much used in perfume and con- 

 tains linalool and geraniol. Spearmint (Mentha spicata} a fragrant perennial 

 plant of Europe is used by confectioners and in the manufacture of perfumed 

 soap. The volatile oil contains carvol C 1Q H 14 O. Peppermint {Mentha piperita) 

 a native to Europe and naturalized in North America, is cultivated in New- 

 York and Michigan for the manufacture of peppermint oil. It contains a vol- 

 atile oil and menthol C 10 H 00 O, and is used for flavoring mutton and sweet- 

 meats and as a cordial. It is a stimulant. The Japanese peppermint is ob- 

 tained from M. arvensis var. piperascens. Pennyroyal (Mentha Pulegium},. 

 native to Europe, is used for the same purposes for which peppermint is used. 

 Garden thyme (Thymus vulgaris) is a small erect woody shrub of southern 

 Europe; it is fragrant, has a pungent taste and contains thymol C 1Q H 13 ON, 

 which is used as an antiseptic. It also contains cymene, borneol, and linalool. 

 Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis), an evergreen shrub of Europe, is chiefly 

 used as a perfume. This and Lavandula Spica both contain borneol C 1Q H O, 

 one of the pinene group of terpenes and camphene. Germander (Teucrium 

 canadense) is a stimulant and has aromatic properties. Horse mint (Monarda 

 fistulosa) is a stimulant and is used to remove colic pain. Oswego tea (Monarda 

 didyma} is used as a substitute for tea, and catnip is used for the same pur- 

 pose. M. punctata contains thymol, carvacrol, etc. Horehound (Marrubium 

 vulgar e}, a perennial weed native to Europe, is a stimulant and tonic and is 

 also slightly laxative. It contains the bitter principle marrubin. Sweet basil 

 (Ocimum Basilicum) of India is a strong aromatic herb used for culinary 

 purposes and in the manufacture of Chartreuse liquors while the mucilaginous 





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Fig. 409. Horse Mint 

 {Monarda fistulosa). A 

 common roadside weed with 

 pungent properties. (Char- 

 lotte M. King). 



