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Corn Mint

Mentha arvensis

Please keep in mind that it is illegal to uproot a plant without the landowner's consent and care should be taken at all times not to damage wild plants. Wild plants should never be picked for pleasure and some plants are protected by law.
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Plant Profile
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Distribution Map

Flowering Months:

JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC

Order:

Lamiales

Family:

Lamiaceae (Dead-nettle)

Also in this family:

Annual Woundwort, Apple Mint, Balkan Clary, Basil Thyme, Bastard Balm, Betony, Bifid Hemp-nettle, Black Horehound, Breckland Thyme, Bugle, Catmint, Common Calamint, Common Hemp-nettle, Corsican Mint, Cut-leaved Dead-nettle, Cut-leaved Germander, Cut-leaved Selfheal, Downy Woundwort, False Apple Mint, Field Woundwort, Garden Catmint, Garden Clary, Ginger Mint, Ground Ivy, Ground-pine, Gypsywort, Hedge Woundwort, Henbit Dead-nettle, Horse Mint, Lamb's-ear, Large Thyme, Large-flowered Hemp-nettle, Lemon Balm, Lesser Calamint, Lesser Skullcap, Limestone Woundwort, Marjoram, Marsh Woundwort, Meadow Clary, Northern Dead-nettle, Pennyroyal, Peppermint, Pyramidal Bugle, Red Dead-nettle, Red Hemp-nettle, Rosemary, Round-leaved Mint, Selfheal, Sharp-leaved Mint, Skullcap, Somerset Skullcap, Spearmint, Spotted Dead-nettle, Sticky Clary, Tall Mint, Variegated Yellow Archangel, Wall Germander, Water Germander, Water Mint, White Dead-nettle, White Horehound, Whorled Clary, Whorled Mint, Wild Basil, Wild Clary, Wild Thyme, Wood Calamint, Wood Sage, Yellow Archangel

Type:

Flower

Life Cycle:

Perennial

Maximum Size:

1 metre tall

Habitats:

Ditches, farmland, grassland, heathland, marshes, riverbanks, wasteland, waterside, wetland, woodland.

Flower:

✿

Purple, 4 petals

Corn Mint produces small, tubular, pale lilac to purplish-pink flowers arranged in dense, whorled clusters around the stem, typically in the leaf axils. Each flower is about 3–5 mm long with a two-lipped shape, the upper lip slightly notched and the lower divided into three lobes. Flowering from July to October, the blooms attract a wide range of pollinators, including bees and hoverflies, making it an ecologically valuable wildflower in damp habitats.

Fruit:

The fruit of Corn Mint consists of four tiny, dark brown nutlets (dry, single-seeded units) that form at the base of each flower after pollination. These nutlets are very small—typically less than 1 mm—and are dispersed close to the parent plant. Although not showy, the fruit plays an essential role in seed reproduction, though the plant also spreads vigorously by creeping underground rhizomes.

Leaves:

Corn Mint has oval to lance-shaped, toothed leaves that grow in opposite pairs along the square stem—characteristic of members of the mint family (Lamiaceae). The leaves are mid- to dark green, often softly hairy, and noticeably aromatic when crushed. They can vary in size but typically measure 2–6 cm long. The plant’s foliage is an important identification feature, especially when not in flower.

Fragrance:

Corn Mint has a strong, refreshing minty fragrance due to the high menthol content in its essential oils. The scent is released readily when the leaves are bruised or crushed and is often more potent than other wild mints. This intense aroma not only deters herbivores but also makes the plant easily identifiable in the field.

Other Names:

Field Mint, Wild Mint.

Frequency (UK):

Common

Water Mint

Whorled Mint

Pennyroyal

Summary

Mentha arvensis, also known as wild mint or corn mint, is a perennial herb in the mint family (Lamiaceae). It is native to Europe and Asia and is known for its minty scent and small, white or pink flowers. The plant typically grows in damp, shady places and along riverbanks, ditches and marshy areas. It's a strong-scented herb that can reach up to 1 meter tall. The leaves are opposite, toothed, and are usually ovate or lanceolate in shape. The flowers are small and white or pink, and they are arranged in terminal spikes or whorls. The plant is used in cooking, particularly in the form of its essential oil, which is used to flavor food and beverages. It is also used in traditional medicine and it has been used to treat digestive issues and respiratory problems.

Blog

Corn mint, scientifically known as Mentha arvensis, is a perennial herb that belongs to the Lamiaceae family. This plant is also known by various names such as field mint, wild mint, and Japanese mint. It is native to Asia and Europe but is now found all over the world. Corn mint is widely used for its medicinal and culinary properties.

Appearance and Growth Habits

Corn mint has a slender, square stem that grows up to 3 feet tall. The leaves are oval-shaped, pointed at the tip, and serrated around the edges. They are a dark green color and have a slightly fuzzy texture. The flowers are pale purple or pinkish-white and grow in spikes at the end of the stem. The plant has a strong, refreshing minty aroma.

Corn mint grows best in damp, marshy soil and is often found near water bodies. It is a hardy plant that can survive in most soil types and can tolerate both sun and shade. Corn mint is usually propagated by seeds or stem cuttings.

Culinary Uses

Corn mint is a popular herb in culinary dishes around the world. Its strong, minty flavor makes it a favorite in teas, salads, and meat dishes. In Japan, it is used to flavor mochi, a type of rice cake. In India, it is added to chutneys and sauces.

Corn mint is also used to flavor various food products such as candies, gums, and toothpaste. Its essential oil is added to flavoring agents in the food industry.

Medicinal Properties

Corn mint has been used for centuries for its medicinal properties. Its essential oil contains menthol, menthone, and menthyl acetate, which have analgesic, antispasmodic, and anti-inflammatory properties.

Corn mint oil is used to relieve pain and inflammation associated with headaches, migraines, and rheumatism. It is also used to alleviate the symptoms of colds, coughs, and respiratory infections. The oil is added to creams, balms, and ointments to relieve sore muscles, joint pain, and skin irritation.

In traditional Chinese medicine, corn mint is used to relieve menstrual cramps, digestive disorders, and nausea. It is also believed to have a cooling effect on the body, making it useful for treating fevers and hot flashes.

Precautions and Side Effects

While corn mint is generally considered safe, it can cause allergic reactions in some people. The essential oil should be used with caution and should not be applied directly to the skin as it can cause irritation. Corn mint oil should not be used by pregnant or nursing women and should not be given to children under the age of six.

Corn mint, also known as Mentha arvensis, is a versatile herb with many culinary and medicinal uses. Its refreshing minty flavor and aroma make it a popular ingredient in teas, salads, and meat dishes. The plant's essential oil is used to relieve pain, inflammation, and respiratory ailments. While it is generally considered safe, corn mint oil should be used with caution and under the guidance of a healthcare professional.

Facts about Corn Mint

Here are some additional interesting facts about corn mint:

Corn mint is a natural insect repellent. The plant's essential oil can be used as a natural alternative to chemical insect repellents. It is effective against mosquitoes, flies, and other pests.
Corn mint is also used in aromatherapy. The essential oil is added to diffusers and vaporizers to promote relaxation, relieve stress, and improve mental clarity.
The plant's leaves can be used to make a refreshing tea. To make corn mint tea, steep a handful of fresh leaves in hot water for a few minutes. The tea is said to have a calming effect on the digestive system and can relieve nausea and indigestion.
Corn mint is a great companion plant for gardeners. It repels pests such as ants, aphids, and flea beetles, and attracts beneficial insects such as bees and butterflies. Planting corn mint near vegetables like tomatoes and peppers can help protect them from pests.
In traditional medicine, corn mint was used to treat snake bites. The plant was crushed and applied to the bite wound to relieve pain and swelling.
Corn mint is often confused with peppermint (Mentha x piperita), which is a hybrid of watermint (Mentha aquatica) and spearmint (Mentha spicata). While the two plants look similar, corn mint has a milder flavor and aroma compared to peppermint.

More Facts about Corn Mint

Here are some additional facts about corn mint:

Corn mint is widely used in the fragrance industry. Its essential oil is used in perfumes, soaps, shampoos, and other personal care products. The oil's refreshing and cooling properties make it a popular ingredient in aftershaves and foot creams.
Corn mint is a rich source of vitamins and minerals. It contains vitamins A and C, calcium, magnesium, and potassium. The plant's leaves can be added to salads to increase their nutritional value.
Corn mint is an invasive species in some areas. Its ability to grow and spread rapidly has made it a problematic plant in some regions. In the United States, corn mint is considered an invasive weed in some states, including Indiana and Iowa.
Corn mint has a long history of use in traditional medicine. It has been used for thousands of years to treat various ailments, including headaches, digestive disorders, and respiratory infections. In ancient Greece and Rome, the plant was used to freshen breath and whiten teeth.
Corn mint is used in some cultures as a natural remedy for hair loss. The plant's essential oil is massaged into the scalp to improve circulation and promote hair growth. It is also used to treat dandruff and other scalp conditions.
Corn mint is a popular flavoring in tobacco products. The plant's essential oil is added to chewing tobacco and snuff to improve their flavor and aroma.

In conclusion, corn mint is a versatile plant with many culinary, medicinal, and commercial applications. Its refreshing minty flavor and aroma make it a popular ingredient in teas, salads, and meat dishes, while its essential oil is used to relieve pain, inflammation, and respiratory ailments. Whether you're a gardener, a chef, or a health enthusiast, corn mint is a plant worth exploring.

Video

Corn Mint filmed at Worthington Lakes, Lancashire on the 12th July 2022.

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Reproduced by kind permission of the BSBI.

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Corn Mint

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Plant Profile

Similar Species

Other Information