Common Name: Corn Mint

General Information

Mentha arvensis is an erect to ascending, herbaceous perennial plant growing from a spreading, rhizomatous rootstock. The plant can grow from 10 - 60cm tall, occasionally to 100cm, forming a loose cluster of branched stems[, ].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food, medicine and source of materials.

Known Hazards

Although no records of toxicity have been seen for this species, large quantities of some members of this genus, especially when taken in the form of the extracted essential oil, can cause abortions so some caution is advised.

Botanical References

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Range

Throughout most of temperate Eurasia, including the Himalayas but excluding Mongolia, China, Japan and Korea

Habitat

Arable land, heaths, damp edges of woods[, ]. Fields, meadows, shores of ponds, rivers, lakes, canals and irrigation ditches, swampy places, boggy shady woods, mainly in the forest zone[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	0.45 m
Pollinators	Bees, Lepidoptera, Insects
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Mentha arvensis is a very cold-hardy plant, able to tolerate temperatures down to around -30°c when fully dormant[].
An easily grown plant, it succeeds in most soils and situations so long as the soil is not too dry[, , ]. This species tolerates much drier conditions than other members of the genus[]. Prefers a slightly acid soil[]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. A sunny position is best for production of essential oils, but it also succeeds in partial shade.
Plants are hardy to at least -15°c[].
Mentha species are very prone to hybridisation and so the seed cannot be relied on to breed true. Even without hybridisation, seedlings will often not be uniform and so the content of medicinal oils etc will vary. When growing plants with a particular aroma it is best to propagate them by division[].
Most mints have fairly aggressive spreading roots and, unless you have the space to let them roam, they need to be restrained by some means such as planting them in containers that are buried in the soil[].
Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus.
A polymorphic species, as is evident from the long list of synonyms attributed to it[].
The whole plant has a strong smell of mint, described as 'strong and almost oppressive' in some reports[] and as being 'not pungent' in others[].
Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[].

Edible Uses

Leaves - raw or cooked. A reasonably strong minty flavour with a slight bitterness, they are used as a flavouring in salads or cooked foods[, , ].

A herb tea is made from the fresh or dried leaves[, ].

An essential oil from the plant is used as a flavouring in sweets and beverages[]. The leaves contain about 0.2% essential oil[].

Medicinal

Corn mint, like many other members of this genus, is often used as a domestic herbal remedy, being valued especially for its antiseptic properties and its beneficial effect on the digestion. Like other members of the genus, it is best not used by pregnant women because large doses can cause an abortion.

The whole plant is anaesthetic, antiphlogistic, antispasmodic, antiseptic, aromatic, carminative, diaphoretic, emmenagogue, galactofuge, refrigerant, stimulant and stomachic[, , ]. A tea made from the leaves has traditionally been used in the treatment of fevers, headaches, digestive disorders and various minor ailments[]. The leaves are a classical remedy for stomach cancer[]. Another report says that this species is not very valuable medicinally[].
The leaves are harvested as the plant comes into flower and can be dried for later use[].

The essential oil in the leaves is antiseptic, though it is toxic in large doses[].

Agroforestry Uses:

Mint species are usually good bee and butterfly attractant plants, supplying them with good quality pollen and nectar[]
Mints are usually quite aromatic plants and they make good companions for cabbages and tomatoes, their aromatic nature helping to repel insect pests..

Other Uses

The plant is used as an insect repellent[, , ]. Rats and mice intensely dislike the smell of mint. The plant was therefore used in homes as a strewing herb and has also been spread in granaries to keep the rodents off the grain[]. The leaves also repel various insects[].

An essential oil is obtained from the plant[]. The yield from the leaves is about 0.8%[]. The sub-species M. arvensis piperascens produces the best oil, which can be used as a substitute for, or adulterant of, peppermint oil[]. Yields of up to 1.6% have been obtained from some forms[].

Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a cold frame. Germination is usually fairly quick. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and plant them out in the summer. Mentha species are very prone to hybridisation and so the seed cannot be relied on to breed true. Even without hybridisation, seedlings will not be uniform and so the content of medicinal oils etc will vary. When growing plants with a particular aroma it is best to propagate them by division[].
Division can be easily carried out at almost any time of the year, though it is probably best done in the spring or autumn to allow the plant to establish more quickly. Virtually any part of the root is capable of growing into a new plant. Larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. However, for maximum increase it is possible to divide the roots up into sections no more than 3cm long and pot these up in light shade in a cold frame. They will quickly become established and can be planted out in the summer.