Horse-mint, Biblical mint
Mentha longifolia

Family: Lamiaceae

What it is like

A herb which keeps growing from year to year. It has rhizomes or underground stems. The above ground stems are erect, or creeping and 1 m high. There are many branches. The branches are white with lines along them. The leaf blade is oval to oblong and 6 cm long by 1.5 cm wide. The leaves have teeth along the edge. The flowers are in spikes 3-8 cm long. They are purplish.

There are 25 Mentha species.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. In China it is grown in some cities. It grows in damp locations. It can grow in light shade. It can grow in arid places. It suits hardiness zones 6-9.

Countries/locations it is found in

Afghanistan, Africa, Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Armenia, Asia, Australia, Austria, Balkans, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia, Botswana, Britain, Bulgaria, Canary Islands, Caucasus, Central Africa, Central America, Central Asia, Chad, China, Crete, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, East Africa, Egypt, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Europe, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Himalayas, Hungary, India, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Italy, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Libya, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Mediterranean, Mexico, Middle East, Morocco, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, North Africa, North America, NW India, Pakistan, Palestine, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Scandinavia, SE Asia, Siberia, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Southern Africa, South America, Spain, Sudan, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Tibet, Tunisia, Turkey, Türkiye, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, USA, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, West Indies, Yugoslavia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The leaves are eaten in chutneys. They are also used for seasonings. The leaves and flowers yield an oil used for flavouring. The leaves are candied or used as a tea. The leaves are dried and used for flavouring.

It is sold in local markets. It is cultivated.

Edible parts

Leaves as condiment, spice, leaves - tea, flowers

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Baburi belanne, Ballerja, Bareena, Budi-nan, Bung, Chita podna, Daghdz, Dere nanesi, Dhoop, Dugolisna nana, Futsane, Ghwan, Habek mint, Jangli podina, Jangli pudina, Jungli pudina, Koshu, Mainani, Makmint, Na'na berri, Nahne, Nane, Ninha, Ou bo he, Patina, Phebel, Phemel, Phololing, Pingi kewi, Podina, Poung, Pudhina, Pudida, Pudina, Pudnakushma, Pung, Pusi-nan, Puunga, Shamshobi, Shinshobai, Silver mint, T'q'is p'it'na, Valanai, Vartalau, Vaylanai, Vejme, Velanai, Wenalay, Wenlo, White mint, Yarpiz, Yarpuz

Synonyms

Mentha sylvestris L.; Mentha spicata L. var. longifolia L.; Mentha incana;