Mentha suaveolens

Apple mint

Mentha suaveolens, commonly known as Sweet Mint, is a fragrant perennial herb belonging to the Lamiaceae family. Renowned for its refreshing aroma and culinary versatility, this plant offers significant medicinal properties. It is traditionally utilized to soothe digestive issues, alleviate respiratory discomfort, and provide calming aromatherapy benefits.

  • Scientific name: Mentha suaveolens
  • Family: Lamiaceae
  • Native range: Europe

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Lamiales and family Lamiaceae, it is classified under the genus Mentha.

Rank Classification Source
Kingdom Plantae WCVP
Phylum Streptophyta WCVP
Class Equisetopsida WCVP
Subclass Magnoliidae WCVP
Order Lamiales WCVP
Family Lamiaceae WCVP
Genus Mentha WCVP

Common Names

This plant, scientifically known as Mentha suaveolens, is recognized by various common names across different regions and linguistic scripts. In Simplified Chinese, it is referred to as 苹果薄荷 (zh-hans), which is also the standard designation in mainland China (zh-cn), Singapore (zh-sg), and Hong Kong (zh-hk). Similarly, in Traditional Chinese, the name is written as 蘋果薄荷 (zh-hant).
Language Common Name Source
zh-hans 苹果薄荷 Wikidata
zh-hant 蘋果薄荷 Wikidata
zh-hk 蘋果薄荷 Wikidata
zh-cn 苹果薄荷 Wikidata
zh-sg 苹果薄荷 Wikidata
zh-tw 蘋果薄荷 Wikidata
de Rundblättrige Minze Wikidata
fr Menthe odorante Wikidata
ca menta borda Wikidata
hsb Šěroka mjetlička Wikidata

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific geographical distribution across several regions of the European continent. In Northern Europe, it can be found growing within the borders of Denmark and Great Britain. Its presence is also noted in Ireland and Sweden, extending its reach across the northern territories. Moving toward the center of the continent, the species is located in Middle Europe. Specifically, its range includes the country of Austria.

Region Area Source
Northern Europe Denmark WCVP
Northern Europe Great Britain WCVP
Northern Europe Ireland WCVP
Northern Europe Sweden WCVP
Middle Europe Austria WCVP
Middle Europe Belgium WCVP
Middle Europe Czechia-Slovakia WCVP
Middle Europe Germany WCVP
Middle Europe Netherlands WCVP
Middle Europe Poland WCVP

Plant Parts

This plant, Mentha suaveolenes, is primarily utilized for its therapeutic properties derived from its aerial parts, which include the leaves and stems. The most significant medicinal component found within these structures is the presence of concentrated essential oils, which contain the volatile compounds responsible for its distinct aroma and pharmacological effects. By harvesting the above-ground portions of the plant, practitioners can extract these potent oils to be used in various traditional and modern medicinal applications.
Total parts
2
Scientific sources
3
Plant Part Sources Confidence
essential oils 2 ★☆☆☆☆
aerial parts 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Chemicals

Mentha suaveolens has 7 reported phytochemicals identified across 12 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include piperitenone oxide, limonene, carvone, jasmone, p-cymen-8-ol.

Total chemicals
7
Scientific sources
12

Most Reported Compounds

Compound Sources Confidence
piperitenone oxide 4 ★★☆☆☆
limonene 3 ★★☆☆☆
carvone 1 ★☆☆☆☆
jasmone 1 ★☆☆☆☆
p-cymen-8-ol 1 ★☆☆☆☆
piperitenone 1 ★☆☆☆☆
viridiflorol 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Activities

Mentha suaveolens has 6 reported activities identified across 11 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Antioxidant, Antidiabetic, Analgesic, Antigiardial.

Total activities
6
Scientific sources
11

Most Reported Activities

Activity Sources Confidence
Antibacterial 3 ★★☆☆☆
Antioxidant 3 ★★☆☆☆
Antidiabetic 2 ★☆☆☆☆
Analgesic 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Antigiardial 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Antimicrobial 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Medicinal Uses

Mentha suaveolens has 18 reported medicinal uses identified across 21 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Bacillus cereus, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Candida albicans, Enterococcus faecalis.

Total uses
18
Scientific sources
21

Most Reported Uses

Use Sources Confidence
Bacillus cereus 2 ★☆☆☆☆
Escherichia coli 2 ★☆☆☆☆
Staphylococcus aureus 2 ★☆☆☆☆
Candida albicans 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Enterococcus faecalis 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Giardia duodenalis 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Gram-negative bacteria 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Gram-positive bacteria 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Leishmania infantum 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Listeria monocytogenes 1 ★☆☆☆☆