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Calamintha ascendens

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Botanical name : Calamintha ascendens
Kingdom: Plantae
Order: Lamiales
Family: Lamiaceae
Genus: Calamintha

Synonyms–-Mill Mountain. Mountain Balm. Basil Thyme. Mountain Mint.

Habitat : Calamintha ascendens is native to the northern temperate regions of Europe, Asia and America.

Description:
Calamintha sylvatica is a perennial herb  growing to 0.6 m (2ft) by 0.5 m (1ft 8in).

click to see the picture
It is hardy to zone 6 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from Jul to September, and the seeds ripen from Sep to October. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Bees, insects.It is noted for attracting wildlife.

click to see the picture.:

Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils and can grow in very alkaline soils.
It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.

Edible Uses:
A sweet and aromatic herb tea is made from the leaves. Very refreshing. Leaves – used as a flavouring in cooked dishes. Pleasantly pungent and strongly aromatic, the flavour is said to resemble a cross between mint and marjoram.

Propagation:      
Seed – sow spring in a greenhouse and only just cover the seed. It usually germinates in 2 weeks at 21°c. Prick out the seedlings when they are large enough to handle and, if they grow sufficiently, plant them out into their permanent positions in the summer otherwise wait until the following spring. Division in spring. Very easy, larger clumps can be planted direct into their permanent positions. It is best to pot up smaller clumps and grow them on in a cold frame until they are well rooted before planting them out in the summer. Basal cuttings in May or June. They should be rooted in a sandy compost. Harvest the shoots when they are about 10 – 15cm long with plenty of underground stem. Pot them up into individual pots and keep them in light shade in a cold frame or greenhouse until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the summer.

Chemical constituents: It contains a camphoraceous, volatile, stimulating oil in commonwith the other mints. This is distilled by water, but its virtues are better extracted by rectified spirit.

Medicinal Uses:
Diaphoretic, expectorant, aromatic. The whole herb has a sweet, aromatic odour and an infusion of the dried leaves, makes a pleasant cordial tea, which was formerly much taken for weaknesses of the stomach and flatulent colic. It is useful in hysterical complaints, and a conserve made of the young fresh tops has been used, for this purpose.

The decoction of the herb bringeth down women’s courses and provoketh urine. It is profitable for those that have ruptures or troubled with convulsions or cramps, with shortness of breath, or choleric torrnents and pains in their bellies or stomach. It helpeth those with yellow jaundice and, taken in wine, it stayeth vomiting. It helpeth such as have the leprosy and it hindereth conception in women.

Applied to the buckle-bone, it will by continuance of time spend the humours that causeth the pain of sciatica. The juice dropped into the ears killeth worms in them. The leaves boiled in wine and drank provoke sweat and open obstructions of the liver and spleen. The decoction with some sugar is profitable for those troubled with the overflowing of the gall and that have an old cough or are scarce able to breathe.

Calamint was commonly used as a medicinal herb in medieval times, though is little used by modern herbalists. It has very similar properties to lesser calamint (C. nepeta) though is milder in its actions. It is sometimes cultivated as a medicinal herb for household use. The whole plant is aromatic, diaphoretic and expectorant. The leaves are harvested in July as the plant comes into flower and are dried for storage. An infusion is beneficial in cases of fevers, flatulent colic and weaknesses of the stomach, it is also used to treat depression, insomnia and painful menstruation. Its expectorant action makes it a good cough and cold remedy and it is of value for treating mild respiratory infections. It is best mixed with other herbs, especially yarrow (Achillea millefolium) and Thyme (Thymus vulgaris). Calamint should not be prescribed for pregnant women since in excess it can cause a miscarriage

Disclaimer : The information presented herein is intended for educational purposes only. Individual results may vary, and before using any supplement, it is always advisable to consult with your own health care provider

Resources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calamintha
http://www.russianherbs.net/herbs/CALAMINT.htm
http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Calamintha+sylvatica

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Herbs & Plants

Calamintha nepeta

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Botanical Name : Calamintha nepeta
Family: Lamiaceae
Genus: Calamintha
Species: C. nepeta
Kingdom: Plantae
Order: Lamiales

Synonyms : Satureia nepeta.

Common Name: Lesser Calamint,Nepitella

Habitat ; Grows in Europe, including Britain, south from France and S. Russia to N. Africa and to Iran in W. Asia.Dry banks, usually on calcareous soils

Description:
Lesser Calamint grows as a beautiful perennial shrub for the herbal border forming a compact mound of shiny, green oregano-like leaves which become covered with lavender pink flowers to a height of 18 inches. The Lesser Calamint plant smells like a cross between mint, and oregano, and can attract butterflies. Lesser Calamint usually grows in the Summer, and well into the Fall. This plant needs not to be replanted year after year, as it can become dormant in the winter months, then reblossom in the spring. Furthermore, in the Fall, the plant’s flowers, which contain seeds, fall to the ground, and will “plant themselves,” therefore making a new plant blossom in the Spring. These flowers will start to appear in late August. Lesser Calamint grows wildly, but can be planted in pots, for convenience. The life expectancy for an average Lesser Calamint plant is about 3–4 years. The only problem with this plant is that a powdery mildew might occur on the plant.

 

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Cultivation :
Prefers a well-drained dry to moist neutral to alkaline soil and a warm sunny position. Plants are hardy to about -15°c. This species is very closely related to C. sylvatica, and is considered to be no more than a sub-species by some botanists. A very good bee plant.

Propagation :
Seed – sow spring in a greenhouse and only just cover the seed. It usually germinates in 2 weeks at 21°c[138]. Prick out the seedlings when they are large enough to handle and, if they grow sufficiently, plant them out into their permanent positions in the summer otherwise wait until the following spring. Division in spring. Very easy, larger clumps can be planted direct into their permanent positions. It is best to pot up smaller clumps and grow them on in a cold frame until they are well rooted before planting them out in the summer. Basal cuttings in May or June. They should be rooted in a sandy compost[245]. Harvest the shoots when they are about 10 – 15cm long with plenty of underground stem. Pot them up into individual pots and keep them in light shade in a cold frame or greenhouse until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the summer.

Medicinal Uses:
Aromatic;  DiaphoreticExpectorantFebrifugeStomachic.

Lesser calamint was commonly used as a medicinal herb in medieval times, though is little used by modern herbalists. It is sometimes cultivated as a medicinal herb for household use. The whole plant is aromatic, diaphoretic, expectorant, febrifuge and stomachic. The leaves are harvested in July as the plant comes into flower and are dried for later use. An infusion is beneficial in cases of flatulent colic and weaknesses of the stomach, it is also used to treat depression, insomnia and painful menstruation[238]. It should not be prescribed for pregnant women since in excess it can cause a miscarriage.

Calamintha nepita breaks a fever by promoting sweating. It is also used as an expectorant and helps to cure jaundice. Effective when applied to snake bites and insect stings. In the Journal of Ethnopharmacology, a study reported in 1993 showed that Calamintha nepita when analyzed for its antimicrobial and fungicide activities it was found to have a biotoxic effect.

Disclaimer:
The information presented herein is intended for educational purposes only. Individual results may vary, and before using any supplements, it is always advisable to consult with your own health care provider.

Resours:
http://www.herbnet.com/Herb%20Uses_LMN.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calamintha_nepeta
http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Calamintha+nepeta

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Acinos Rotundifolius

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Botanical NameAcinos rotundifolius
Family :        Labiatae
Genus :        Acinos
Synonyms: Acinos forminii – Roussine., Acinos graveolens – (Bieb.)Link.,Calamintha exigua – (Sibth.&Sm.)Hayek, Calamintha graveolens – (Bieb.)Benth.
Habitat: S. Europe to Afghanistan in W. Asia.   Not known

Description:
Annual/Perennial growing to 0.3m.
It is hardy to zone 4 and is not frost tender. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Insects.
CLICK & SEE THE PICTURES.

Cultivation :-The plant prefers light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and requires well-drained soil. The plant prefers acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It requires dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought.
Succeeds in almost any well-drained soil, doing well in a hot dry soil.

Propagation:
Seed – sow early spring in a cold frame. If you have sufficient seed then you could try sowing in situ in April or May. Germination should take place within a month. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer.

Edible Uses:-
Edible Uses: Condiment.

The leaves are used as a flavouring with beans etc, and are said to be a substitute for summer savoury, Satureia hortensis[200], though we prefer that species.

Medicinal Actions & Uses:-
Aphrodisiac; Stimulant.

Resources:
http://www.pfaf.org/database/plants.php?Acinos+rotundifolius
http://flora.huji.ac.il/browse.asp?action=specie&specie=ACIROT

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Alpine Calamint(Acinos alpinus)

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Botanical Name:Acinos alpinus
Family : Labiatae/Lamiaceae
Synonyms :Calamintha alpina – (L.)Lam., Satureja alpina – (L.)Scheele.,Thymus alpinus (L.)
Common Name:Rock thyme,Alpine Calamint,
Kingdom: Plantae
Order: Lamiales
Genus: Acinos
Species: A. alpinus

Habitat: The plant originates from the mountains of Central & Southern Europe.In Italy, rock thyme can be found in most areas whose altitude is between 900 and 2600 meters above sea level. It is found in open fields, rock fissures, and areas with little fertile soil. Dry sunny habitats in mountains and rocky places.

Description:-
Rock thyme is a Perennial herbaceous plant averaging between 40 and 50 centimeters in height. The flowers are hermaphroditic; that is, they have both male and female reproductive systems. According to the Raunkiær system of categorizing life forms, rock thyme is considered to be a chamaephyte, specifically a chamaephyte sufruticosos.
CLICK & SEE THE PICTURES
The plant has a woody, fuzz-covered stem. Its leaves grow in symmetrical pairs and are connected to the stem by a thin petiole. Their shapes range from ovoid to lanceolates of 5 to 15 millimeters in length.

The flowers consist of whorled inflorescences, consisting of clusters of 3 to 8 flowers. They range from 15 to 20 mm in length, and are generally violet in  color. Depending on altitude, rock thyme flowers between May and August. Its fruit is schizo-carpal ( splits into four equal portions upon reaching maturity).The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs)

It is anchored to the ground by a taproot and a network of smaller secondary roots.There are two subspecies of rock thyme: A. alpinus meriodionalis, with smaller flowers; and A. alpinus majoranifolius, which grows in smaller bunches.

Cultivation :
Succeeds in almost any well-drained soil, doing well in a hot dry soil.

Propagation:-
Seed – sow early spring in a cold frame. If you have sufficient seed then you could try sowing in situ in April or May. Germination should take place within a month. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer. Division in spring. Basal cuttings in late spring.

Edible Uses
Edible Uses: Condiment; Tea.

The leaves are used as a flavouring in cooked dishes and also as a tea substitute.

Medicinal Action & Uses

Diaphoretic, febrifuge.
Rock thyme is sometimes used in pharmacology for its diaphoretic and antipyretic properties. In addition, it can be brewed and served as tea.

Disclaimer:The information presented herein is intended for educational purposes only. Individual results may vary, and before using any supplements, it is always advisable to consult with your own health care provider.

Resources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acinos_alpinus
http://www.pfaf.org/database/plants.php?Acinos+alpinus

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