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Agastache rugosa - (Fisch.&C.A.Mey.)Kuntze.

Common Name

Korean Mint

Family

Labiatae

Synonyms

Known Hazards

None known

Habitats

Grassy places in mountains, especially by streams, and in valleys all over Japan[58]. Sunny, more or less stony meadows from the lowlands to elevations of 1500 metres[275].

Range

E. Asia - China, Japan, Korea, Siberia

Edibility Rating

Medicinal Rating

Care

Summary

Physical Characteristics

PERENNIAL growing to 1 m (3ft 3in) by 0.6 m (2ft).
It is hardy to zone 8 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from Jul to September, and the seeds ripen in September. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Bees.The plant is self-fertile.
It is noted for attracting wildlife.

The plant prefers light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and requires well-drained soil.The plant prefers acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils..It cannot grow in the shade.It requires dry or moist soil.


(c) ken Fern, Plants For A Future 2010

(c) ken Fern, Plants For A Future 2010

Habitats
Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves; Seed.

Young leaves - raw or cooked[177]. A strong anise-like fragrance, they are normally used as a flavouring[183] or as an addition to the salad bowl[238]. We find them a bit coarse and too strong for use as a salad[K]. The leaves can be used as a tea substitute[183]. A pleasant flavour[238]. The seed is possibly edible[177]. No further details. The seed certainly should not be poisonous, but it is very small and its use would be very fiddly[K].

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.

Antibacterial; Antifungal; Antipyretic; Aromatic; Cancer; Carminative; Diaphoretic; Febrifuge; Refrigerant; Stomachic.

Korean mint is commonly used in Chinese herbalism, where it is considered to be one of the 50 fundamental herbs[218]. 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[254]. The leaves and stems are antibacterial, antifungal, aromatic, carminative, diaphoretic, febrifuge and stomachic[147, 176, 218, 238, 279]. They are used internally to improve the appetite and strengthen the digestive system[238], they relieve symptoms such as abdominal bloating, indigestion, nausea and vomiting[254]. They are also used to treat morning sickness[254]. The leaves are also used in the treatment of chest congestion, diarrhoea and headaches[218]. An infusion of the leaves is used in the treatment of angina pains[222]. The plant is used as a folk remedy for cancer, extracts of the plant have shown anticancer activity[218].

Other Uses
None known

Cultivation details
Prefers a sunny sheltered position and a well-drained soil[200]. This species is not hardy in the colder areas of the country, it tolerates temperatures down to between -5 and -10°c[200]. The flowers are very attractive to bees[244].

Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a greenhouse and only just cover the seed. The seed usually germinates in 1 - 3 months at 13°c[133]. 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[111]. 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.

Expert comment

Author
(Fisch.&C.A.Mey.)Kuntze.

Botanical References
58200275

Links / References

[K] Ken Fern Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.

[58]Ohwi. G. Flora of Japan. (English translation)

The standard work. Brilliant, but not for the casual reader.

[111]Sanders. T. W. Popular Hardy Perennials.

A fairly wide range of perennial plants that can be grown in Britain and how to grow them.

[133]Rice. G. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 1.

Very readable magazine with lots of information on propagation.

[147]? A Barefoot Doctors Manual.

A very readable herbal from China, combining some modern methods with traditional chinese methods.

[176]Yeung. Him-Che. Handbook of Chinese Herbs and Formulas.

An excellent Chinese herbal giving information on over 500 species. Rather technical and probably best suited to the more accomplished user of herbs.

[177]Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption.

An excellent book for the dedicated. A comprehensive listing of latin names with a brief list of edible parts.

[183]Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants.

Excellent. Contains a very wide range of conventional and unconventional food plants (including tropical) and where they can be obtained (mainly N. American nurseries but also research institutes and a lot of other nurseries from around the world.

[200]Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.

Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.

[218]Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China

Details of over 1,200 medicinal plants of China and brief details of their uses. Often includes an analysis, or at least a list of constituents. Heavy going if you are not into the subject.

[222]Foster. S. & Duke. J. A. A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants. Eastern and Central N. America.

A concise book dealing with almost 500 species. A line drawing of each plant is included plus colour photographs of about 100 species. Very good as a field guide, it only gives brief details about the plants medicinal properties.

[238]Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses.

A very well presented and informative book on herbs from around the globe. Plenty in it for both the casual reader and the serious student. Just one main quibble is the silly way of having two separate entries for each plant.

[244]Phillips. R. & Foy. N. Herbs

Deals with all types of herbs including medicinal, culinary, scented and dye plants. Excellent photographs with quite good information on each plant.

[254]Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants

An excellent guide to over 500 of the more well known medicinal herbs from around the world.

[275] Flora of Japan

An on-line version of the flora - an excellent resource.

[279] Medicinal Plants in the Republic of Korea

An excellent book with terse details about the medicinal uses of the plants with references to scientific trials. All plants are described, illustrated and brief details of habitats given.

Readers comment

Elizabeth H.
Stan Doronenko	Wed May 16 2007

"It is hardy to zone 8 and is not frost tender" - that's not true. Agastache rugosa grows in Russia Far East where winter can be -30 cold. I grow it in my garden in Slovakia which is approximately zone 5.

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