Mentha arvensis, Mint, (Labiatae, the Mint Family), 2-8 dm in height, blue flowers, habitat: tree belts, road ditches, woods (102, 103).
American Indian groups used leaf tea to treat colds, influenza, coughs, sore throat, fevers, colic, gas, stomach pain, headaches, body aches, toothache, kidney problems, and nausea. Leaf poultice or a steam bath with it was used for pain and swelling, rheumatism, and arthritis. The fresh plant was strewn in dwellings to discourage bedbugs and other insects. Many mints (Mentha spp.) have similar uses as a stimulant, carminative, antispasmodic, anodyne, analgesic, and nerve tonic (6, 88, 267).
It is known to produce terpenes, piperitenol, carvone, pipertone, piperitol, pulegol, pulegone, menthofuran, and menthol (97, 174).
Nepeta cataria, Catnip, (Labiatae, the Mint Family), to 1 m in height, white flowers, habitat: Native or Europe, established as a weed along roadsides and waste places, through Eastern and Central US. (102, 103).
Catnip has been used to treat infantile colic, as a tea to induce sweating for colds, treats iron deficiency, and has been used as a mild tranquilizer. Catnip contains nepetalacetone, a sedative and analgesic compound whose action involves opioid receptors (6, 267).
Additionally, it is known to contain linoleic acid, also known as 9,12-linoleic acid or linolic acid C18H32O2, in its seed fats (174, 238).
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