Parameter Mentha Clove Cinnamon Fennel Coriander

(Mentha piperita) (Syzygium aromaticum) (Cinnamomum zeylanicum) (Foeniculum vulgare) (Coriandrum sativum)

Family Lamiaceae Myrtaceae Lauraceae Apiaceae (Umbelliferae) Apiaceae (Umbelliferae)

Biological Leaves & flowering tops Dried flower buds Dried inner bark of shoots Dried ripe fruits Dried ripe fruits
Source (schizocarps) (schizocarps)

Geological Native to Europe; cultivated in Native to Moluccas; Native to Sri Lanka; cultivated Native to Mediterranean; Native to Mediterranean;
Source India (Punjab, UP, HP), USA, cultivated in Zanzibar, in India (Kerala, TN), cultivated in India cultivated in India
Japan, Africa Madagascar, Sri Lanka, Seychelles, Madagascar (Punjab, Rajasthan, UP, (Rajasthan, MP, AP), Russia,
India (Kerala, TN) MP), Egypt, Italy, Turkey Morocco, Egypt

Chemical Volatile oil (0.5–4%) with Volatile oil (15–20%) Volatile oil (0.5–1%) with Volatile oil (1–6%) with Volatile oil (0.3–1%) with
Constituents Menthol, Menthone, Menthyl with Eugenol, Acetyl Cinnamaldehyde, Eugenol, Anethole, Fenchone, Linalool, Geraniol,
acetate, 1,8-Cineole, eugenol, β- Cinnamic acid, Coumarin, Estragole, Limonene, α- Borneol, α-Pinene,
Limonene, Menthofuran, Caryophyllene, Mucilage, Tannins Pinene; Fixed oil, Camphor; Fatty oil,
Flavonoids, Tannins, Vanillin, Tannins, Proteins, Carbohydrates Proteins, Carbohydrates
Rosmarinic acid Resin, Mucilage

Uses of • Menthol – Cooling, analgesic, • Eugenol – Analgesic • Cinnamaldehyde – • Anethole – Carminative, • Linalool – Carminative,
Constituents flavoring (dental), antiseptic Carminative, antimicrobial expectorant antimicrobial
• Menthone – Fragrance • Acetyl eugenol – • Eugenol – Analgesic • Fenchone – Digestive • Geraniol – Fragrance
Aromatic stimulant
• Menthyl acetate – Aroma • Cinnamic acid – • Borneol – Expectorant
• β-Caryophyllene – Preservative • Estragole – Flavoring
• Cineole – Expectorant • α-Pinene – Antimicrobial
Anti-inflammatory
• Coumarin – Anticoagulant • Limonene – Antioxidant
• Limonene – Antioxidant • Camphor – Stimulant
• Vanillin – Flavoring
• Flavonoids – Antioxidant
• Tannins – Astringent
• Rosmarinic acid –
Hepatoprotective

Climate &  Cool,  Tropical humid  Tropical climate;  Temperate climate;  Cool,
Cultivation  moist climate, climate;  20–30°C;  15–25°C;  dry climate;
  20–30°C;  20–30°C;  rainfall 125–250 cm;  well-drained loamy  15–25°C;
 fertile loam,  rich loamy soil  sandy loam soil soil,  well-drained loam,
 pH 6–7  pH 6–7  pH 6.5–7.5
Morphology • Perennial herb • Evergreen tree (10–15 • Small evergreen tree (up to • Aromatic • Annual herb (50–100 cm)
m) 10 m) biennial/perennial herb (1–
• Quadrangular stem • Slender branched stem
2 m)
• Opposite, elliptic leaves • Opposite leaves
• Opposite, serrated leaves • Lower leaves broad-lobed;
• Flower buds = cloves • Hollow stem
• Bark = quills upper dissected
• Purple flowers in spikes
• Feathery leaves
• Small yellow flowers • Small white/pink flowers
• Yellow flowers in
• Fruit: globular schizocarp
umbels
• Fruit: oblong schizocarp

General • Carminative, antispasmodic, • Dental analgesic • Carminative, stimulant, • Carminative, digestive, • Carminative, stomachic,
Uses expectorant, mild analgesic antiseptic expectorant antispasmodic
• Carminative,
• Flavoring in food, toothpaste, antispasmodic • Flavoring in bakery, • Flavoring in curries, • Flavoring in curries,
gum confectionery pickles, bakery pickles, bakery
• Flavoring in food,
• Used in perfumes, cosmetics beverages • Traditional medicine for • Lactagogue in traditional • Essential oil in perfumery
dyspepsia use
• Used in mouthwash,
perfumes