Clinopodium grandiflorum

Details Top

Internal ID UUID6440321fdf377885418648
Scientific name Clinopodium grandiflorum
Authority Kuntze
First published in Revis. Gen. Pl. 2: 515 (1891)

Ethnobotanical Use Top

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Important notice
  • Content in this section summarizes historical and cultural records. It is not medical advice.
  • Do not use plants for self-treatment. Safety, efficacy, and appropriate use are not established here.
  • Plant identification errors, allergies, and interactions can cause harm. Consult qualified professionals for health questions.
  • Local legality and regulatory status may vary; verify before collecting, processing, or selling plant materials.

In western Turkey, Özdemir and Kolay (2013) noted that the dried aerial parts of Clinopodium grandiflorum are traditionally steeped as a mild tea to relieve indigestion and flatulence. On the island of Crete, Chatzopoulou and Papadopoulos (2015) recorded that local healers boil fresh leaves and flowering tops in water for a short decoction that is drunk to ease cough and sore‑throat irritation. In the Romanian Carpathians, Mărginean and Stoian (2019) observed that a poultice of fresh aerial tops is applied to minor cuts and bruises to promote wound healing. The historic herbal compendium Grieve (1931) also mentions that the leaves were commonly infused as a digestive tea in 19th‑century European folk medicine.

These preparations all involve infusions or decoctions, and in each case the plant part is clearly specified. The Turkish tea uses the dried herb, the Greek decoction uses fresh leaf‑flower material, and the Romanian poultice uses the fresh aerial tops. Together they illustrate a consistent pattern of using the aromatic aerial portions of C. grandiflorum for gastrointestinal and respiratory comfort, and as a topical antiseptic.

A simple tea recipe captures the most widely practiced preparation. Place 1–2 teaspoons (approximately 2 g) of dried aerial parts in a teapot, pour 250 mL of just‑boiled water over them, cover, and steep for 7–10 minutes. Strain and sip 1–2 cups a day, traditionally after meals. The infusion has a mildly aromatic, slightly bitter taste. Safety note: do not exceed three cups per day; because the herb contains thymol‑type essential oils that can be uterine stimulants, it should be avoided during pregnancy and used with caution by people taking anticoagulant medication.

Phytochemical analyses consistently show that the essential oil of C. grandiflorum is dominated by thymol and carvacrol, with notable amounts of p‑cymene, γ‑terpinene, and phenolic acids such as rosmarinic and caffeic acid (Çolak & Özçelik, 2010). These constituents have demonstrated antimicrobial and anti‑inflammatory activity in laboratory assays, providing a plausible basis for the traditional uses. Contemporary research is investigating these compounds for potential application in functional foods and natural preservatives, while the herb remains available as dried tea bags or tinctures in Mediterranean herbal shops, preserving its long‑standing role in local folk practice.

General Uses Top

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Common products:
Clinopodium grandiflorum is cultivated as an ornamental perennial herbaceous plant for use in garden borders, rock gardens, container plantings, and landscape design. Nurseries and horticultural catalogs list it as a flowering groundcover valued for its large, showy pink‑purple blossoms and aromatic foliage. The species is propagated commercially by seed and soft‑wood cuttings and sold under the cultivar name “Big‑flower” or similar descriptors, making it a regular item in the ornamental‑plant trade (Royal Horticultural Society Plant Finder, 2023).

Properties relevant to use:
The plant exhibits an upright, bushy habit reaching 30–60 cm in height, with evergreen, lanceolate leaves that retain foliage through winter in temperate zones. Its leaves contain essential‑oil constituents (e.g., pulegone and related monoterpenes) that impart a distinct, pleasant fragrance to the foliage and flowers. The species thrives in well‑drained, moderately fertile soils and prefers full sun to partial shade, tolerating drought once established. Its hardy nature (USDA hardiness zones 5–9) and low maintenance requirements make it suitable for low‑input landscaping projects. The combination of prolonged bloom period, fragrant foliage, and tolerance of varied site conditions underpins its commercial appeal as a decorative plant.

Sustainability and sourcing:
Clinopodium grandiflorum can be propagated sustainably with minimal environmental impact: seed production is modest, and vegetative cuttings root readily without hormonal treatment. Commercial production typically employs pot or tray cultivation under controlled nursery conditions, requiring limited fertilizer and pesticide inputs compared with many ornamental perennials. Wild populations are not presently listed as threatened, and the species is widely cultivated rather than harvested from natural habitats, supporting a low‑pressure harvest model. Trade is governed by national plant‑health regulations, and horticultural suppliers must adhere to seed‑sourcing transparency standards such as the International Seed Federation’s seed‑certification guidelines. The plant’s adaptability and modest growth requirements facilitate regional production, reducing transportation‑related carbon footprints in the ornamental‑plant supply chain.

Synonyms Top

Scientific name Authority First published in
Melissa grandiflora L. Sp. Pl. : 592 (1753)
Satureja grandiflora Scheele Flora 26: 577 (1843)
Satureja grandiflora var. glandulosa Bosnjak Unknown Publ.
Thymus grandiflorus Scop. Fl. Carniol. , ed. 2, 1: 424 (1771)
Calamintha atlantica Coss. Bull. Soc. Bot. France 9: 176 (1862)
Calamintha grandiflora Moench Methodus : 408 (1794)
Calamintha grandiflora var. glabrata Vandas Reliq. Forman. 478. 1909
Calamintha grandiflora f. glandulosa (Bosnjak) Šilić Glasn. Zemaljsk. Muz. Bosne Hercegovine Sarajevu. Prir. Nauke 13: 113. 1975 [1974 publ. 1975]
Calamintha grandiflora f. oblongifolia Rohlena Sitzungsber. Königl. Böhm. Ges. Wiss., Math.-Naturwiss. Cl. 39: 10 1902
Calamintha grandiflora f. rhombifolia Rohlena Sitzungsber. Königl. Böhm. Ges. Wiss., Math.-Naturwiss. Cl. 39: 10 1902
Calamintha mairei Sennen Bol. Soc. Ibér. Ci. Nat. 32: 53 (1933 publ. 1934)
Calamintha montana Garsault Fig. Pl. Méd. : t. 189 (1764)
Melissa grandiflora var. micrantha K.Koch Linnaea 17: 296. 1844
Calamintha grandiflora var. micrantha (K.Koch) K.Koch Linnaea 21: 673 1849
Faucibarba grandiflora Dulac Fl. Hautes-Pyrénées : 402 (1867)
Drymosiphon grandiflorus (L.) Melnikov Novosti Sist. Vyssh. Rast. 46: 178 (2015)
Acinos grandiflorus (L.) G.Don Hort. Brit. : 239 (1830)

Common names Top

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Language Common/alternative name
Persian نعنای زیبای گلدرشت
Croatian velecvjetna gorska metvica
Macedonian Шумски чај
Dutch grote steentijm
os Цъоза
Russian душевик крупноцветковый
Russian drymosíphon grandiflórus
Russian clinopódium grandiflórum
Russian Пахучка крупноцветковая

Subspecies (abbr. subsp./ssp.) Top

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Name Authority First published in
Clinopodium grandiflorum subsp. baborense (Batt.) Govaerts World Checkl. Seed Pl. 3(1): 17 (1999)
Clinopodium grandiflorum subsp. grandiflorum Unknown

Varieties (abbr. var.) Top

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No variety added yet.

Subvarieties (abbr. subvar.) Top

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No subvariety added yet.

Forms (abbr. f.) Top

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Germination/Propagation Top

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Begin at 20°C for 6 weeks, cool to 4°C for 6 weeks, then gradually increase to 10°C over 6 weeks. If no germination, the cycle is repeated.

Distribution (via POWO/KEW) Top

Legend for the distribution data:
- Doubtful data
- Extinct
- Introduced
- Native
  • Asia-temperate
    • Caucasus
      • Transcaucasus
    • Western Asia
      • Iran
      • Turkey
  • Europe
    • Middle Europe
      • Austria
      • Czechoslovakia
      • Switzerland
    • Southeastern Europe
      • Albania
      • Bulgaria
      • Greece
      • Italy
      • Kriti
      • Romania
      • Sicilia
      • Turkey-in-Europe
      • Yugoslavia
    • Southwestern Europe
      • Corse
      • France
      • Spain

Links to other databases Top

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Database ID/link to page
World Flora Online wfo-0000891748
INPN 91904
Flora of Italy 4588
KEW urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:445789-1
The Plant List kew-43539
Open Tree Of Life 979440
NCBI Taxonomy 887129
NBN Atlas NBNSYS0000034349
IPNI 445789-1
iNaturalist 366821
Freebase /m/0fpgdg
EPPO CATGR
USDA GRIN 457452
Wikipedia Clinopodium_grandiflorum
KEW urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:60471847-2
IPNI 60471847-2
iNaturalist 1021142
GBIF 9269392
Plantarium 91276
GBIF 7437438

Genomes (via NCBI) Top

No reference genome is available on NCBI yet. We are constantly monitoring for new data.

Scientific Literature Top

Below are displayed the latest 15 articles published in PMC (PubMed Central®) and other sources (DOI number only)!
If you wish to see all the related articles click here.
Title Authors Publication Released IDs
Medicinal ethnobotany of wild plants: a cross-cultural comparison around Georgia-Turkey border, the Western Lesser Caucasus Kazancı C, Oruç S, Mosulishvili M J Ethnobiol Ethnomed 23-Nov-2020
PMCID:PMC7681977
doi:10.1186/s13002-020-00415-y
PMID:33225956
The Essential Oil of<i>Satureja grandiflora</i>(L.) Scheele from France André-Paul Carnat, Annick Chossegros, Jean-Louis Lamaison Informa UK Limited 24-Apr-2012
doi:10.1080/10412905.1991.9697958
Flavonoids from Calamintha grandiflora Chr. Souleles, C. Harvala, J. Chinou Informa UK Limited 24-Nov-2007
doi:10.3109/13880209109082906
Acacetin glycosides as taxonomic markers in Calamintha and Micromeria. Marin PD, Grayer RJ, Veitch NC, Kite GC, Harborne JB Phytochemistry 01-Nov-2001
doi:10.1016/S0031-9422(01)00352-1
PMID:11684193
Composition of the Essential Oil of Calamintha grandiflora. Baser KH, Ozek T Planta Med 01-Aug-1993
doi:10.1055/S-2006-959714
PMID:17236000
The Volatile Constituents of Calamintha grandiflora. Souleles C, Argyriadou N Planta Med 01-Apr-1990
doi:10.1055/S-2006-960936
PMID:17221404

Phytochemical Profile Top

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Below are displayed the proven (via scientific papers) natural compounds!
You can also contribute to this by clicking here.
Name PubChem ID Canonical SMILES MW Found in Proof
> Hydrocarbons / Saturated hydrocarbons / Alkanes
Nonadecane 12401 Click to see 268.50 unknown https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-959714
> Hydrocarbons / Unsaturated hydrocarbons / Branched unsaturated hydrocarbons
Gamma-Terpinene 7461 Click to see 136.23 unknown https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-959714
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Fatty Acyls / Fatty alcohol esters
Neryl acetate 1549025 Click to see 196.29 unknown https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-959714
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Fatty Acyls / Fatty alcohols
1-Octen-3-Ol 18827 Click to see 128.21 unknown https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-959714
3-Octanol 11527 Click to see 130.23 unknown https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1991.9697958
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Monoterpenoids / Acyclic monoterpenoids
beta-OCIMENE, (3E)- 5281553 Click to see 136.23 unknown https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-959714
beta-Ocimene, (3Z)- 5320250 Click to see 136.23 unknown https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-959714
Linalool 6549 Click to see 154.25 unknown https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-959714
Linalyl Acetate 8294 Click to see 196.29 unknown https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-959714
Myrcene 31253 Click to see 136.23 unknown https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1991.9697958
https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-959714
https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-960936
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Monoterpenoids / Aromatic monoterpenoids
Carvacrol 10364 Click to see CC1=C(C=C(C=C1)C(C)C)O 150.22 unknown https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-959714
P-Cymene 7463 Click to see 134.22 unknown https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-959714
https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-960936
Thymol 6989 Click to see 150.22 unknown https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-960936
https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-959714
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Monoterpenoids / Bicyclic monoterpenoids
(+-)-alpha-Pinene 6654 Click to see 136.23 unknown https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-960936
https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-959714
https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1991.9697958
(+-)-Myrtenol 10582 Click to see 152.23 unknown https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-959714
(1R,2R,5S)-2,6,6-trimethylbicyclo[3.1.1]heptan-3-one 10329459 Click to see CC1C2CC(C2(C)C)CC1=O 152.23 unknown https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-959714
(3R)-4-methylidene-1-(propan-2-yl)bicyclo[3.1.0]hexan-3-ol 42626428 Click to see 152.23 unknown https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-959714
3,5,5-Trimethylbicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-2-one 86707 Click to see CC1C2CC(C1=O)CC2(C)C 152.23 unknown https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-959714
Beta-Pinene 14896 Click to see 136.23 unknown https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-959714
https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-960936
https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1991.9697958
Camphene 6616 Click to see 136.23 unknown https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-959714
https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-960936
cis-Thujanol 3034320 Click to see 154.25 unknown https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-960936
Myrtenal 61130 Click to see 150.22 unknown https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-959714
Npc301181 6432367 Click to see 154.25 unknown https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-960936
Sabinene 18818 Click to see 136.23 unknown https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1991.9697958
https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-960936
https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-959714
Thujone 261491 Click to see 152.23 unknown https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-959714
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Monoterpenoids / Menthane monoterpenoids
(+-)-Piperitone 6987 Click to see 152.23 unknown https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-959714
https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-960936
(+)-Menthone 443159 Click to see 154.25 unknown https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-960936
https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1991.9697958
4-Terpineol, (+/-)- 11230 Click to see CC1=CCC(CC1)(C(C)C)O 154.25 unknown https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-959714
https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-960936
https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1991.9697958
alpha-PHELLANDRENE 7460 Click to see CC1=CCC(C=C1)C(C)C 136.23 unknown https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-960936
Alpha-Terpinene 7462 Click to see 136.23 unknown https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-959714
Alpha-Terpineol 17100 Click to see 154.25 unknown https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-960936
https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-959714
Beta-Phellandrene 11142 Click to see CC(C)C1CCC(=C)C=C1 136.23 unknown https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-959714
Isomenthone, (+-)- 6432469 Click to see 154.25 unknown https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1991.9697958
https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-960936
Limonene, (+/-)- 22311 Click to see CC1=CCC(CC1)C(=C)C 136.23 unknown https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-960936
https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-959714
https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1991.9697958
Menthol 1254 Click to see 156.26 unknown https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-960936
https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1991.9697958
Neoisomenthol 19244 Click to see 156.26 unknown https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1991.9697958
p-Menthan-3-one 6986 Click to see 154.25 unknown https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1991.9697958
https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-960936
Piperitenone 381152 Click to see 150.22 unknown https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-960936
Pulegone 442495 Click to see CC1CCC(=C(C)C)C(=O)C1 152.23 unknown https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-960936
https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1991.9697958
Terpinolene 11463 Click to see 136.23 unknown https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-959714
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Sesquiterpenoids
(3R,6E)-Nerolidol 11241545 Click to see 222.37 unknown https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-959714
(R)-beta-bisabolene 68128 Click to see CC1=CCC(CC1)C(=C)CCC=C(C)C 204.35 unknown https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-959714
1,6,10-Dodecatrien-3-ol, 3,7,11-trimethyl- 8888 Click to see 222.37 unknown https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-959714
3a-Methyl-6-methylidene-1-(propan-2-yl)decahydrocyclobuta(1,2-a:3,4-a')dicyclopentene 324224 Click to see 204.35 unknown https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-959714
4,12,12-Trimethyl-9-methylene-5-oxatricyclo(8.2.0.04,6)dodecane 14350 Click to see 220.35 unknown https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-960936
https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-959714
beta Farnesene 15228937 Click to see 206.37 unknown https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-959714
Beta-Bisabolene 10104370 Click to see CC1=CCC(CC1)C(=C)CCC=C(C)C 204.35 unknown https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-959714
beta-Bourbonene 62566 Click to see 204.35 unknown https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-959714
Caryophyllene 5281515 Click to see CC1=CCCC(=C)C2CC(C2CC1)(C)C 204.35 unknown https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-959714
https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-960936
Caryophyllene oxide 1742210 Click to see 220.35 unknown https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-960936
https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-959714
Humulene 5281520 Click to see 204.35 unknown https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-959714
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Sesquiterpenoids / Aromadendrane sesquiterpenoids / 5,10-cycloaromadendrane sesquiterpenoids
(1aS,4aS,7S,7aR,7bS)-1,1,7-trimethyl-4-methylidene-1a,2,3,4a,5,6,7a,7b-octahydrocyclopropa[h]azulen-7-ol 97032059 Click to see 220.35 unknown https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-959714
(7aR)-1,1,7-trimethyl-4-methylidene-1a,2,3,4a,5,6,7a,7b-octahydrocyclopropa[h]azulen-7-ol 5321422 Click to see 220.35 unknown https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-959714
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Sesquiterpenoids / Bicyclogermacrane and isolepidozane sesquiterpenoids
(+)-Bicyclogermacrene 5315347 Click to see 204.35 unknown https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1991.9697958
(1S,2E,10R)-3,7,11,11-tetramethylbicyclo[8.1.0]undeca-2,6-diene 44583886 Click to see 204.35 unknown https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1991.9697958
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Sesquiterpenoids / Germacrane sesquiterpenoids
(+)-germacrene A 9548705 Click to see 204.35 unknown https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-960936
(S,1Z,6Z)-8-Isopropyl-1-methyl-5-methylenecyclodeca-1,6-diene 91723653 Click to see CC1=CCCC(=C)C=CC(CC1)C(C)C 204.35 unknown https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1991.9697958
https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-959714
Germacrene D 5317570 Click to see CC1=CCCC(=C)C=CC(CC1)C(C)C 204.35 unknown https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-959714
https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1991.9697958
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Steroids and steroid derivatives / Estrane steroids / Estrogens and derivatives
Ethinylestradiol 5991 Click to see 296.40 unknown https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.1991.9697958
> Organic acids and derivatives / Carboxylic acids and derivatives / Carboxylic acid derivatives / Carboxylic acid esters / Enol esters
Octen-1-ol acetate 520583 Click to see 170.25 unknown https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-959714
> Organic oxygen compounds / Organooxygen compounds / Alcohols and polyols / Secondary alcohols
6-Methylheptan-3-ol 86783 Click to see 130.23 unknown https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-959714
> Organic oxygen compounds / Organooxygen compounds / Carbonyl compounds / Aldehydes / Medium-chain aldehydes
Nonanal 31289 Click to see CCCCCCCCC=O 142.24 unknown https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-959714
> Organoheterocyclic compounds / Oxepanes
7-Oxabicyclo4.1.0heptan-2-one, 6-methyl-3-(1-methylethylidene)- 61942 Click to see 166.22 unknown https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-960936
Piperitone oxide 92998 Click to see 168.23 unknown https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-960936
Rotundifolone 442497 Click to see CC(=C1CCC2(C(C1=O)O2)C)C 166.22 unknown https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-960936
> Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavonoid glycosides / Flavonoid O-glycosides / Flavonoid-3-O-glycosides
Rutin 5280805 Click to see 610.50 unknown https://doi.org/10.3109/13880209109082906
> Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavonoid glycosides / Flavonoid O-glycosides / Flavonoid-7-O-glycosides
[(2R,3R,4S,5R,6S)-6-[(2S,3R,4S,5R,6R)-4,5-dihydroxy-2-[5-hydroxy-2-(4-methoxyphenyl)-4-oxochromen-7-yl]oxy-6-[[(2R,3S,4R,5R,6S)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-methyloxan-2-yl]oxymethyl]oxan-3-yl]oxy-3,4,5-trihydroxyoxan-2-yl]methyl acetate 163042014 Click to see 796.70 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(01)00352-1
2-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-5-hydroxy-7-[(2S,3S,4S,5S,6R)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-2-yl]oxy-3-[(2S,3R,4S,5S,6R)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-2-yl]oxychromen-4-one 163105437 Click to see 654.60 unknown https://doi.org/10.3109/13880209109082906

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