Mentha alaica

Mentha alaica
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Asterids
Order:	Lamiales
Family:	Lamiaceae
Genus:	Mentha
Species:	M. alaica
Binomial name
Mentha alaica Boriss.

Mentha alaica is a mint species within the genus Mentha native to Central Asia.

Description

A perennial species, Mentha alaica grows to a height of 1 metre (3 ft 3 in), and propagates via creeping rhizomes. ^[1] It produces large oblong-lanceate leaves up to 10 centimetres (4 in) long. ^[2]

Taxonomy

The species was recorded by Russian botanist Antonina Borissova in 1954. ^[3]

While it is accepted as a distinct species by authorities such as Plants of the World Online, ^[4] some authors have treated M. alaica as simply a synonym of M. longifolia . ^{[5] [6]}

Distribution and habitat

It is native to the Pamir-Alay mountain range within Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan. ^{[1] [7]}

Uses

Mentha alaica has been used in various formulations in Traditional Chinese Medicine. ^[8] As an ingredient within this tradition, it is believed to "dispel pathogenic heat and wind." ^[9] Under the common name Hortelã, M. alaica was reported used as an herbal medicine in Brazil to treat nausea, as well as digestive and kidney problems. ^[10]

Notes

1. Borissova 1977, p. 442.
2. Borissova 1977, p. 430.
3. "Mentha alaica Boriss., Bot. Mater. Gerb. Bot. Inst. Komarova Akad. Nauk S.S.S.R. 16: 283 (1954)". World Checklist of Selected Plant Families. Retrieved 2020-12-22.
4. "Mentha alaica Boriss". Plants of the World Online. Retrieved 2021-03-22.
5. Quattrocchi 2016, p. 2472.
6. Wiart 2020, p. 516.
7. "Mentha alaica". International Plant Names Index. Retrieved 2020-12-22.
8. Lin et al. 2017, p. 234.
9. Chang Chen 2017, p. 63.
10. Lima et al. 2019, p. 7.

References

• Chang Chen, J. B. (2017-06-28). A hexa-herbal Chinese formula for treatment of atopic dermatitis: phytochemical analysis and selected anti-inflammatory activities (Doctoral). UCL (University College London). Retrieved 2021-03-22.
• Borissova, A. G. (1977). "Genus 1301. Mentha L.". Flora of the U.S.S.R. Vol. 21. B.K. Shishkin (ed.), N Landau (trans.). Jerusalem: Keterpress Enterprises. pp. 427–450. ISBN   0-7065-1573-0.
• Lima, Carolina Miranda de Sousa; Fujishima, Mayara Amoras Teles; Santos, Bráulio Érison França dos; de Paula Lima, Bruno; Mastroianni, Patrícia Carvalho; Sousa, Francisco Fábio Oliveira de; Silva, Jocivânia Oliveira da (2019). "Phytopharmacovigilance in the Elderly: Highlights from the Brazilian Amazon". Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2019. Mohammed S. Ali-Shtayeh (ed.): 1–12. doi: 10.1155/2019/9391802 . ISSN   1741-427X. PMC   6378030 . PMID   30854018. ProQuest   2182503095 . Retrieved 2021-03-22.
• Lin, Yi-Chun; Chang, Tung-Ti; Chen, Husan-Ju; Wang, Chung-Hsing; Sun, Mao-Feng; Yen, Hung-Rong (2017-06-09). "Characteristics of traditional Chinese medicine usage in children with precocious puberty: A nationwide population-based study" . Journal of Ethnopharmacology. 205: 231–239. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2017.05.006. ISSN   0378-8741. PMID   28499829 . Retrieved 2021-03-17.
• Quattrocchi, Umberto (2016-04-19). CRC World Dictionary of Medicinal and Poisonous Plants: Common Names, Scientific Names, Eponyms, Synonyms, and Etymology (5 Volume Set). CRC Press. ISBN   978-1-4822-5064-0.
• Wiart, Christophe (2020-10-20). Medicinal Plants in Asia and Pacific for Parasitic Infections: Botany, Ethnopharmacology, Molecular Basis, and Future Prospect. Academic Press. ISBN   978-0-12-816812-7.