The Lamiaceae (Labiatae) family are commonly known as the mint or thyme family. Occasionally also commonly known as the dead-nettle family. The scientific family name, Labiatae, has now been superseded by Lamiaceae. However, you may find Labiatae in older books and reference sources.
It is a large family of mostly herbs or small shrubs. They are frequently aromatic due to a rich supply of volatile oils. In fact many are steam distilled for essential oils: lavender, mint, thyme, sage, rosemary. Most of the family have square (four-angled) stems.Mentha sp. I have written several articles which have included mints but have not, as yet written a profile solely on mint. There are so many different mints and so …
Lamiaceae (Labiatae)Peppermint or Spearmint so many minty teas
Lamiaceae (Labiatae)White Dead Nettle without the sting!
Lamium album Family: Lamiacaeae White dead nettle is a member of the thyme or mint family. However, as the common name suggests clumps of the herb resembles the stinging nettle. …
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Lamiaceae (Labiatae)Wood betony a revered cephalic medicinal
Stachys betonica Family Lamiaceae What is in a name? Named after its discoverers, the Vettones of Lusitania (Barker). However, de Baïracli Levy suggested the name is derived from Celtic ‘ben’ referring to head …
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Lamiaceae (Labiatae)Motherwort, not only a herb for women
Leonurus cardiaca Family: Lamiaceae (Labiatae) Culpeper believed the name (motherwort) was chosen as women are joyful mothers and it settles their wombs. The Latin name ‘cardiaca‘, because it is very useful for a …
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Lamiaceae (Labiatae)Self-Heal or All-Heal, a little plant with appropriate name!
Prunella vulgaris Family: Lamiaceae (Labiatae) You will find self-heal flowering virtually continuously from June through to October. The tight cluster of crowded purplish sepals and bracts have been described as resembling a …
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Lamiaceae (Labiatae)Thyme for the thyme of cold and flu
Thymus vulgaris Family: Lamiaceae (Labiatae) And so to this website’s namesake! During the month of May, the hills around the Aude are covered with the stunning colour of the beautiful thyme …
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Red Dead-Nettle loved by bees
Lamium purpureum Family: Lamiaceae (mint or thyme family) This little purple annual tricks us into thinking she is a cousin of the stinging nettle. Even the common name suggests this. Lamium purpureum …
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