Pennyroyal (Mentha Pulegium) and Hart´s Pennyroyal (Mentha Cervina) Biodiversity in Alentejo, Portugal

The Consumption of Wild Edible Plants

“…Furthermore, in the Mediterranean region seasoning is a very important practice, primarily for the taste and aroma it imparts to food but also for the nutritional value of the main species consumed (Barros et al 2011b;Pardo de Santayana et al 2007), as well as for its role in preservating sauces, sausages, meat, and fish (Póvoa et al 2006). Asian gastronomy also uses a strong aromatic component; herbs, leaves, and seeds of wild species are key ingredients used to make vegetal oils or flavor food (Bortolotto et al 2015;Ju et al 2013;Li et al 2015;Rajasab & Isaq 2004).…”

“…For storage and preserving purposes, several practices are used: dehydrating by sun, wind or heat; hanging and shade drying at room temperature; steaming or hanging in smoke; burying or storing in specific containers (e.g. baskets and wooden boxes); soaking in water; steeping in olive oil, honey, wine or brandy; preserving in pig fat or other fats and oils; simply mashing with spices, garlic and vegetal oils or animal greases; combining previous roasting with mashing and seasoning; making pastes; preserving in vinegar or salt water; baking or processing in jams, jellies, and conserves; fermenting (Carvalho 2010;Kuhnlein & Turner 2009;Póvoa et al 2006;Quave & Pieroni 2014).…”

Trichomes micromorphology and essential oil variation at different developmental stages of cultivated and wild growing Mentha pulegium L. populations from Portugal

“…The morphology, distribution and frequency of these glandular trichomes are distinctive characteristics among the Lamiaceae species (Werker, 2000). In Portugal, the aerial parts of M. pulegium and the preparations from it have been traditionally used in Alentejo Region to flavour recipes, as well as for its medicinal properties (Póvoa et al, 2006). In folk medicine it is used as an infusion, preventing different gastric disorders and inflammations of the respiratory tract (Mkaddem et al, 2007;Póvoa et al, 2006).…”

“…In Portugal, the aerial parts of M. pulegium and the preparations from it have been traditionally used in Alentejo Region to flavour recipes, as well as for its medicinal properties (Póvoa et al, 2006). In folk medicine it is used as an infusion, preventing different gastric disorders and inflammations of the respiratory tract (Mkaddem et al, 2007;Póvoa et al, 2006). Nevertheless, there are no approved medicinal uses for pennyroyal essential oil (Barceloux, 2008).…”

Morphology of secretory structures and essential oil composition in Mentha cervina L. from Portugal

“…4 Due to excessive harvesting, overgrazing and habitat destruction, the species has been disappearing from natural settings. 5,6 The composition of essential oils and the study of the structures responsible for their secretion have been the subject of a great number of studies on mints, which have looked not only at chemical composition [7][8][9] and seasonal variation 10,11 but also at the effect of different factors on the composition and yield of essential oils. [12][13][14][15] However, only two studies concerning the oil composition of Mentha cervina were found.…”