Mentuccia maggiore (Calamintha sylvatica Bromf.)

Calamintha nepeta, nepitella or lesser calamint. It grows from seas to mountains, in forests, grasslands and uncultivated areas. The medicine is extracted from the tops of the plant, which are harvested from June to September. They are then dried, not in sunshile but in shade, ventilated places. After that, they are stored in glass jars. Therapeutic and other popular uses: the tops of the calamint aid flavour, digestion, carminative and stimulant processes. The calamint is also considered as an aphrodisiac. Tincture of calamint is efficient for digestion and stimulating and obtained by soaking in 100 ml of alcohol (not denatured) 20 grams of shredded and chopped tops of calamint. After six days, the liquid is filtered, then will be consumed in doses of 20 drops which are diluted in a little water or are poured on a little honey. The tops are also used to prepare a brew by placing a handful of tops of calamint in 100 ml of water. This provides a nice drink to boost digestion. Culinary uses: in the Cilento area, it is used to package the Calamin Wine by soaking in a liter of sweet wine 15 grams of shredded plant, together with a stick of cinnamon, a pinch of vanilla and a few cloves. The whole process is left to rest for about ten days, and being stirred occasionally. After this period is the filtering step, then you have a delicate wine, which can be served at the end of the meal to boost digestion. For immediate uses, the species can be harvested at any stage of development then dried, instead collected in full bloom.

Notes

La flora officinale nel Parco Nazionale del Cilento e Vallo di Diano

Regione Campania, 2001 "Schede monografiche delle principali essenze officinali coltivate e spontanee" opuscolo divulgativo