Mentha alaica

Summary

Mentha alaica is a mint species within the genus Mentha, native to the Pamir-Alay mountain range within Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan.[1][2] The species was recorded by Russian botanist Antonina Borissova in 1954.[3]

Mentha alaica
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Lamiales
Family: Lamiaceae
Genus: Mentha
Species:
M. alaica
Binomial name
Mentha alaica

Taxonomy edit

While it is accepted as a distinct species by authorities such as Plants of the World Online,[4] some authors have treated Mentha alaica as simply a synonym of Mentha longifolia.[5][6]

Description edit

A perennial species, Mentha alaica grows to a height of 1 meter, and propagates via creeping rhizomes.[1] It produces large oblong-lanceate leaves up to 10 centimeters long.[7]

Use edit

Mentha alaica has been used in various formulations in Traditional Chinese Medicine.[8] As an ingredient within this tradition, it is believed to "dispel pathogenic heat and wind."[9] Under the common name Hortelã, M. alaica was reported used as an herbal medicine in Brazil to treat nausea, as well as digestive and kidney problems.[10]

Notes edit

  1. ^ a b Borissova 1977, p. 442.
  2. ^ "Mentha alaica". International Plant Names Index. Retrieved 2020-12-22.
  3. ^ "Mentha alaica Boriss., Bot. Mater. Gerb. Bot. Inst. Komarova Akad. Nauk S.S.S.R. 16: 283 (1954)". World Checklist of Selected Plant Families. Retrieved 2020-12-22.
  4. ^ "Mentha alaica Boriss". Plants of the World Online. Retrieved 2021-03-22.
  5. ^ Quattrocchi 2016, p. 2472.
  6. ^ Wiart 2020, p. 516.
  7. ^ Borissova 1977, p. 430.
  8. ^ Lin et al. 2017, p. 234.
  9. ^ Chang Chen 2017, p. 63.
  10. ^ Lima et al. 2019, p. 7.

References edit

  • Chang Chen, J. B. (2017-06-28). A hexa-herbal Chinese formula for treatment of atopic dermatitis: phytochemical analysis and selected anti-inflammatory activities (Doctoral). UCL (University College London). Retrieved 2021-03-22.
  • Borissova, A. G. (1977). "Genus 1301. Mentha L.". Flora of the U.S.S.R. Vol. 21. B.K. Shishkin (ed.), N Landau (trans.). Jerusalem: Keterpress Enterprises. pp. 427–450. ISBN 0-7065-1573-0.
  • Lima, Carolina Miranda de Sousa; Fujishima, Mayara Amoras Teles; Santos, Bráulio Érison França dos; de Paula Lima, Bruno; Mastroianni, Patrícia Carvalho; Sousa, Francisco Fábio Oliveira de; Silva, Jocivânia Oliveira da (2019). "Phytopharmacovigilance in the Elderly: Highlights from the Brazilian Amazon". Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2019. Mohammed S. Ali-Shtayeh (ed.): 1–12. doi:10.1155/2019/9391802. ISSN 1741-427X. PMC 6378030. PMID 30854018. ProQuest 2182503095. Retrieved 2021-03-22.
  • Lin, Yi-Chun; Chang, Tung-Ti; Chen, Husan-Ju; Wang, Chung-Hsing; Sun, Mao-Feng; Yen, Hung-Rong (2017-06-09). "Characteristics of traditional Chinese medicine usage in children with precocious puberty: A nationwide population-based study". Journal of Ethnopharmacology. 205: 231–239. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2017.05.006. ISSN 0378-8741. PMID 28499829. Retrieved 2021-03-17.
  • Quattrocchi, Umberto (2016-04-19). CRC World Dictionary of Medicinal and Poisonous Plants: Common Names, Scientific Names, Eponyms, Synonyms, and Etymology (5 Volume Set). CRC Press. ISBN 978-1-4822-5064-0.
  • Wiart, Christophe (2020-10-20). Medicinal Plants in Asia and Pacific for Parasitic Infections: Botany, Ethnopharmacology, Molecular Basis, and Future Prospect. Academic Press. ISBN 978-0-12-816812-7.