Agastache rugosa
| Agastache rugosa | |
| Light: |  |
| Moisture: |   |
| Hardiness: | 8 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Self Pollinated | |
| Height: | 3' |
| Width: | 2' |
| Blooms: | Mid Summer-Early Fall |
| Native to: | |
| Shelter | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Medicinal Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Agastache rugosa (common name: korean mint)
Propagation: Seed - sow spring in a greenhouse and only just cover the seed. The seed usually germinates in 1 - 3 months at 13°c[1]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first year. Plant out in late spring or early summer[K].
Division in spring. Fairly simple, if large divisions are used it is possible to plant them straight out into their permanent positions.
Basal cuttings of young shoots in spring[2]. Harvest the young shoots when they are about 10 - 15cm tall and pot them up in a lightly shaded position in a greenhouse. They should root within 3 weeks and can be planted out in the summer or following spring.
Cultivation: Prefers a sunny sheltered position and a well-drained soil[3].
This species is not hardy in the colder areas of the country, it tolerates temperatures down to between -5 and -10°c[3].
The flowers are very attractive to bees[4].
Range: E. Asia - China, Japan, Korea, Siberia
Habitat: Grassy places in mountains, especially by streams, and in valleys all over Japan[5]. Sunny, more or less stony meadows from the lowlands to elevations of 1500 metres[6].
Edibility: Young leaves - raw or cooked[7]. A strong anise-like fragrance, they are normally used as a flavouring[8] or as an addition to the salad bowl[9]. We find them a bit coarse and too strong for use as a salad[K].
The leaves can be used as a tea substitute[8]. A pleasant flavour[9].
The seed is possibly edible[7]. No further details. The seed certainly should not be poisonous, but it is very small and its use would be very fiddly[K].
Medicinal: Korean mint is commonly used in Chinese herbalism, where it is considered to be one of the 50 fundamental herbs[10]. Considered to be a "warming" herb, it is used in situations where there is "dampness" within the digestive system, resulting in poor digestion and reduced vitality[11].
The leaves and stems are antibacterial, antifungal, aromatic, carminative, diaphoretic, febrifuge and stomachic[12][13][10][9][14]. They are used internally to improve the appetite and strengthen the digestive system[9], they relieve symptoms such as abdominal bloating, indigestion, nausea and vomiting[11]. They are also used to treat morning sickness[11]. The leaves are also used in the treatment of chest congestion, diarrhoea and headaches[10]. An infusion of the leaves is used in the treatment of angina pains[15].
The plant is used as a folk remedy for cancer, extracts of the plant have shown anticancer activity[10].
Pollinators: Bees
Soil: Can grow in light and medium soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
Seed Ripens: Early Fall
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Links
References
- ↑ Rice, Graham. Growing from Seed Volume 1. Thompson and Morgan, 1987.
- ↑ Sanders, Thomas. Popular Hardy Perennials. Collingridge, 1926.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ Phillips, Roger. Herbs. Pan Books, 1990.
- ↑ Ohwi, Jisaburo. Flora of Japan. Smithsonian Institution, 1965.
- ↑ Flora of Japan.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Kunkel, Günther. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books, 1984.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Facciola, Stephen. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, 1990.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 Bown, Deni. Royal Horticultural Society Encyclopaedia of Herbs and Their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, 1995.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 Duke, James and Edward Ayensu. Medicinal Plants of China. Reference Publications, 1985.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 Chevallier, Andrew. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants. Dorling Kindersley, 1996.
- ↑ Revolutionary Health Committee of Hunan Province. A Barefoot Doctors Manual. Running Press.
- ↑ Yeung, Him-Che. Handbook of Chinese Herbs and Formulas. Institute of Chinese Medicine, 1985.
- ↑ Medicinal Plants in the Republic of Korea. World Health Organisation, 1998.
- ↑ Foster, Steven and Billy Tatum. Medicinal Plants of Eastern and Central North America. Houghton Mifflin, 1990.