© Britton, N.L., and A. Brown. 1913. An illustrated flora of the northern United States, Canada and the British Possession · Public domain · Commons
Mentha × villosa
Caution🐾Mojito-Minze · (Mentha × villosa)
Mint family (Lamiaceae)
Description
Mojito mint is a cross between spearmint and apple mint, with soft, downy, rounded leaves. Its scent is mild and fruity rather than sharply cooling, because linalool, carvone and limonene dominate its essential oil while menthol is almost absent — which is exactly why it suits cold drinks without turning them bitter. In Cuba and Brazil it goes by the name yerba buena and belongs in mojitos, lemonades, salads and desserts. In Brazilian and Philippine folk medicine an infusion of the leaves is drunk for stomach upset, nausea and bloating, as well as for mild cold symptoms and a scratchy throat; crushed leaves are applied to insect bites or laid on the temples. A Brazilian study tested leaf extracts as a mouthwash against oral bacteria. Depending on origin, the essential oil carries traces of pulegone and should be used externally and diluted only.
Tea from Bowles' mint leaves and sprigs is used in Brazilian and Philippine folk medicine for stomach complaints, nausea, flatulence, and dyspeptic cramps. The effect is attributed to the essential oil (limonene, carvone) and rosmarinic acid content, which act spasmolytically on gastrointestinal smooth muscle.
Preparation & dosage
Steep 2–4 g dried leaves or 4–6 g fresh leaves in 200 ml hot water, covered, for 10 minutes. Drink up to 3 cups daily after meals.
- Dry amount
- 2–4 g
- Doses per day
- 3×
In Philippine and Caribbean folk medicine, mint tea (Yerba Buena) is used for mild cold symptoms, cough, and sore throat. The essential oil containing limonene and carvone has mild expectorant properties; rosmarinic acid shows antiviral activity in vitro.
Preparation & dosage
Pour 250 ml of boiling water over 2–5 g fresh or dried leaves, steep for 10 minutes. Optionally add honey and lemon. Drink warm.
- Dry amount
- 2–5 g
- Doses per day
- 3×
The essential oil of Mentha × villosa (limonene/carvone chemotype) is used diluted (1–2% in carrier oil or via inhalation) for respiratory infections and relief of nasal congestion. Studies on vasorelaxant activity confirm vasodilatory action of the essential oil via endothelium-dependent mechanisms.
Steam inhalation with fresh Bowles' mint leaves or a few drops of essential oil in hot water is used in folk medicine for colds and sinus complaints. The limonene/carvone content of the oil acts as a mild expectorant and antiseptic on the nasal mucosa.
Fresh Bowles' mint leaves are used raw in cocktails (mojito, caipirinha variants), salads, desserts, and cold drinks. The mild apple-fresh mint aroma (limonene-dominant, low menthol) makes M. villosa particularly suitable for cold beverages. In Cuba and Brazil, Yerba Buena is a kitchen herb with everyday use.
Oral rinse formulations based on Mentha villosa extract were tested for antimicrobial activity against oral pathogens in a Brazilian study (Nogueira et al. 2021). Extracts showed growth-inhibitory effects against selected bacterial strains, providing scientific support for the folk use as a gargle for sore throat and gingival inflammation.
In Philippine folk medicine, crushed fresh Bowles' mint leaves are used as a compress for mild muscle pain, headaches (applied to the temples), and insect bites. Carvone and limonene show anti-inflammatory activity in vitro; controlled clinical data are lacking.
Sources: [4]
The essential oil contains trace amounts of pulegone depending on chemotype (typically <0.5%). Do not ingest neat or in high concentration — essential oil is for external use only. Menthol content is low, but concentrated oils require caution in infants (do not apply to the face). Embryo- and fetal toxicity of the essential oil has been documented in animal studies — use of the oil during pregnancy is contraindicated. ASPCA classification (accessed 2026-08-10): toxic to dogs, cats and horses.
⏱ Max continuous use: 8 weeks
Essential oil of M. villosa is contraindicated in pregnancy (animal study evidence of embryotoxicity). Culinary amounts of fresh leaves (tea, mojito quantities) are considered safe. No controlled human studies available.
Insufficient data for therapeutic doses during lactation. Culinary amounts of tea are generally considered safe; avoid concentrated oil preparations.
Concentrated essential oil must not be applied to children under 6 years, and not to the face of children under 12 years (risk of respiratory irritation). Mildly sweetened tea in small amounts is considered safe in folk tradition from school age.
Drug interactions
Antihypertensiva
The essential oil showed endothelium-dependent hypotensive and vasorelaxant effects in animal studies. An additive effect with concurrent antihypertensive medication is theoretically possible.
Contraindications
- Known hypersensitivity to Mentha species or other Lamiaceae (cross-reaction possible)
- Internal use of the essential oil (for external use only)
- Pregnancy: essential oil contraindicated (embryotoxicity in animal studies)
Harvested part: leaves (before flowering)
- Time of day:
- Early morning after dew has dried — highest essential oil content before midday heat.
- Drying:
- Dry sprigs upside down in small bundles at 30–40 °C in shade. Drying time 4–7 days. Avoid temperatures above 45 °C (aroma loss).
- Storage:
- 12 months — Airtight dark glass or metal containers; store cool and dry. Avoid aroma loss from light and moisture.
- Time of day:
- Harvest throughout the growing season in the morning. Leaves just before flowering have the highest active compound content.
- Drying:
- Spread leaves loosely on drying rack or paper at 30–40 °C (shade). Do not stack. Ready when leaves rustle at touch.
- Storage:
- 12 months — Paper bags or dark glass containers; cool, dry, protected from light. No plastic — moisture leads to mould.
- LinaloolEssential oilContent: 10–35 %Aerial parts
Frequently dominant component in the northeastern Brazilian chemotype of M. villosa; floral-fresh scent, mildly sedating and antibacterial.
- CarvoneEssential oilContent: 0–40 %Aerial parts
Mint-aromatic monoterpene ketone; content highly chemotype-dependent (carvone chemotype up to 40%). Antimicrobial and mildly spasmolytic.
- LimoneneEssential oilContent: 5–30 %Aerial parts
Citrus-aromatic monoterpene; gives M. villosa its characteristic apple-mint aroma. Antioxidant and mildly antimicrobial.
- PulegoneEssential oilContent: 0–5 %Aerial parts
Monoterpene ketone; present in trace amounts in some M. villosa populations. Hepatotoxic at high doses (as in M. pulegium). No risk at normal tea use levels.
- MentholEssential oilContent: 0–3 %Aerial parts
Unlike M. piperita, menthol content in M. villosa is very low; the mild mint aroma is characteristic of this species.
- Rosmarinic acidPhenolic acidAerial parts
Polyphenolic hydroxycinnamic acid; identified in M. villosa leaves. Antioxidant, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory.
- LuteolinFlavonoidLeaf
Flavone identified in M. villosa leaf extracts. Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory via NF-κB inhibition.
- HesperidinFlavonoidLeaf
Flavanone glycoside identified in mint plants including M. villosa cultivars. Mildly antioxidant and capillary-protective.
- [1]MonographMatos FJ de A et al. (1999): Essential Oil of Mentha x villosa Huds. from Northeastern Brazil. Journal of Essential Oil Research. DOI: 10.1080/10412905.1999.9701066(accessed: 2026-05-24)
- [2]MonographGuedes DN et al. (2004): Endothelium-dependent hypotensive and vasorelaxant effects of the essential oil from aerial parts of Mentha x villosa in rats. Phytomedicine. DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2004.04.002(accessed: 2026-05-24)
- [3]MonographNogueira EKS et al. (2021): Produção de Enxaguatório Bucal da Mentha Villosa com Atividade Antimicrobiana. Brazilian Journal of Development. DOI: 10.34117/bjdv7n11-298(accessed: 2026-05-24)
- [4]MonographPharmacologic Activities of Yerba Buena (Mentha x villosa Huds Fam. Lamiaceae): An Overview. Acta Medica Philippina (2023). DOI: 10.47895/amp.vi0.8401(accessed: 2026-05-24)
- [5]MonographTekeľová D et al. (2016): Phenolic compounds in leaves insertions of Mentha × villosa Huds. cv. Sněžná. Česká a slovenská farmacie. DOI: 10.36290/csf.2016.031(accessed: 2026-05-24)
- [7]MonographASPCA Animal Poison Control — Mint (Mentha sp.): Toxic to Dogs, Toxic to Cats, Toxic to Horses(accessed: 2026-08-10)
- [6]WikipediaWikipedia: Mentha × villosa (Hairy mint / Bowles' mint)(accessed: 2026-05-24)
Distribution in Europe
🪴 Grow at home
- ☀ Light
- partial shade
- 💧 Water
- every few days
- 🌱 Soil
- Moist herb compost
- 🪴 Pot
- 20 cm
- ⭐ Difficulty
- ★☆☆ beginner
- 🐾 Pets
- toxic to pets
Tips:
- Keep in its own pot — otherwise crowds out other herbs.
- Harvest before flowering for strongest aroma.
- Cuttings root in 1-2 weeks in a water glass.
Care tips are general indoor-gardening recommendations, not scientific sources.
🤝 Permaculture Partners
In your garden, this plant acts as:
⚠️ Better not planted together
- 🥬 Spearmint Classic companion-planting partner.
Source: Helga und Margarete Langerhorst, Mein gesunder Naturgarten (eigene Kuration)