Vietnamese coriander, Asian mint
Persicaria odorata

Family: Polygonaceae

What it is like

This name is unresolved, but some data suggest that it is synonymous with Polygonum odoratum Lour. Not to be confused with Solomon's Seal Polygonatum odoratum - (Mill.)Druce.

Persicaria odorata is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.2 m (0ft 8in) by 0.3 m (1ft) at a fast rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10 and is frost tender. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and can grow in heavy clay soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist or wet soil.

Height (m): 0.2

Where it is found

Wet environments.

Southeast Asia - Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Malaysia.

Conservation Status: Not Listed.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia, Cambodia, Canada, Hawaii, Indochina, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Malaysia, North America, Pacific, SE Asia, Singapore, Tasmania, Thailand, USA, Vietnam.

How it is used

Food

Rating: 3

Young leaves are used raw or cooked as a flavouring . The aroma is rather similar to coriander, with a hot, peppery but refreshing flavour . Leaves have a coriander-like smell and a spicy, pungent, hot peppery flavour. A few leaves can be added to a mixed salad, or they can be cooked with rice, vegetables etc . The flavour is destroyed by prolonged cooking . A few young shoots, combined with water dropwort (Oenanthe javanica) are often added when preparing cabbage preserved in brine (like sauerkraut) . Older, more red, leaves are generally considered too peppery to be used . Although relished by the Vietnamese, the flavour of the leaves is not universally admired, though it is liked by some people who do not appreciate the taste of coriander leaves . An oil can be extracted from the plant and is called Kesom oil - used as a flavouring.

Oil: Oil

Medicine

Rating: 2

The leaves are used as a diuretic, stomachic, febrifuge and anti-aphrodisiac. The fresh leaves appear to have abortifacient properties. Juice prepared from the crushed leaves is taken as an antidote against poisonous snake bite. Externally, the crushed leaves are applied against fever, vomiting, ringworm and phagedaena.

Abortifacient: Causes an abortion.

Anaphrodisiac: Reduces sexual desire.

Antiemetic: Prevents vomiting.

Antipyretic: Treats fevers. See Febrifuge.

Diuretic: Acts on the kidneys, promoting the flow of urine.

Febrifuge: Reduces fevers.

Stomachic: Aids and improves the action of the stomach.

Other

Rating: 2

Bog, water plant. Coriander (Coriandrum sativum) substitute where bolting is common. Attracts butterflies. Tolerate: Rabbit, Deer, Wet Soil.

Oil: Vegetable oils have many uses, as lubricants, lighting, soap and paint making, waterproofing etc. This does not include the edible oils unless they are also mentioned as having other uses.

Attracts Wildlife: Plants noted for attracting wildlife

Food Forest: Plants for Edible Forest Gardens and Food Forests.

How it is grown

A short-lived herbaceous perennial plant often grown as an annual. Succeeds in tropical to warm temperate areas. Light frost is probably tolerated. Requires a moist soil, succeeding in shallow water. Fertile soils with adequate soil moisture are essential for optimal production. It grows best under partial shade, but full sunlight is tolerated if ample moisture is available. The first harvest of the leaves can be taken when plants are nearly 2 months old; subsequent harvests are every 12 - 15 days in tropical areas. Plants prefer boggy soils including ones with some standing water. Plants begin to struggle when temperatures dip below 45 degrees F. Pots can be brought indoors in fall for overwintering, but overwintering can sometimes be difficult because of the need to provide moist and humid growing conditions. Bloom in late summer, but bloom infrequently occurs in cool climates..

Propagating it: Seed. The plant is easily propagated by stem cuttings with 4 - 6 internodes (8 - 10 cm long) taken from the top of mature stems. These are planted obliquely 5 - 6 cm apart with a row spacing of 10 - 15 cm in raised beds of light, well-manured soil and are watered well. Under warm and humid conditions cuttings start rooting after 3 - 5 days and growing after about a week.

Best place to grow:

Habit: Perennial

Hardiness: 9-11

Growth: Fast

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: Semi-shade, no shade

Moisture: Moist, wet

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Rau ram or Vietnamese coriander, Vietnamese mint, Vietnamese cilantro, hot mint, laksa leaf, praew leaf.

Synonyms

This name is unresolved.