• Dr. A.M. KHAN
• Dr. YOGESHWAR SHARMA

ABSTRACT Labiatae (The Mint Family) has more than 3,000 species and at least 150 genera, primarily annual or perennial herbs but with some shrubs or climbers; a few are small trees. Most of the economically important species are employed because of their essential oils and bitter principles. The most familiar species of Labiatae are aromatic herbs or shrubs such as the household favourites: peppermint; lemon balm and basil. Mentha species and their hybrids have been investigated chemically for mint oil, menthol, and various other phytochemicals. Spearmint is used for cooking purposes, but it is also used in the aroma and flavour industry. The properties of the Spearmint oil resemble those of the Peppermint, being mildly stimulant, carminative, anti-spasmodic, stomachic, expectorant, and flavouring agent, but its effects are less powerful, and it is less used than peppermint. A few Mentha species and their hybrids have been investigated chemically for mint oil, menthol and various other chemical constituents like piperitol, menthylacetate, l-menthol, p-cymene, dl-neoisomenthol, piperitenone, aroma-dendrene and a mixture of phenols. The oil from the leaves of M. longifolia reported the presence of dl-menthol, alpha-menthone, dihydrocarveol, l-piperitone, piperitone oxide an aldehyde, cadinene, beta-caryophyllene and cedrene. Apart from these constituents, the presence of carvacrol, piperitol, isopulegol and citronellal have also been reported from the oil. Histidine and glycine were the only amino acids identified in M longifolia.

Mint, various species of mint, Medicinal uses, Phytochemicals

"Labiatae (The Mint Family) Phytochemicals and Medicinal Uses to Humankind A review", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.9, Issue 2, page no.b558-b569, February-2022, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2202165.pdf

"Labiatae (The Mint Family) Phytochemicals and Medicinal Uses to Humankind A review", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.9, Issue 2, page no. ppb558-b569, February-2022, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2202165.pdf