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 Knalool 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 2Q 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 10 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 18 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 

 vulgare), 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. 



Fig. 409. Horse Mint 

 {Monarda fistulosa). A 

 common roadside weed with 

 pungent properties. (Char- 

 lotte M. King). 



