Persicaria odorata Vietnamese coriander, Asian mint PFAF Plant Database (2024)

Translate this page:

Summary

This name is unresolved, but some data suggest that it is synonymous with Polygonum odoratum Lour. Not to be confused with Solomon's Seal Polygonatum odoratum - (Mill.)Druce.

Physical Characteristics

Synonyms

This name is unresolved.

Plant Habitats

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: LeavesOilShoots
Edible Uses: Oil

Young leaves are used raw or cooked as a flavouring [296 , 301 ]. The aroma is rather similar to coriander, with a hot, peppery but refreshing flavour [296 , 301 ]. Leaves have a coriander-like smell and a spicy, pungent, hot peppery flavour.[2-2]. A few leaves can be added to a mixed salad, or they can be cooked with rice, vegetables etc [301 ]. The flavour is destroyed by prolonged cooking [310 ]. A few young shoots, combined with water dropwort (Oenanthe javanica) are often added when preparing cabbage preserved in brine (like sauerkraut) [310 ]. Older, more red, leaves are generally considered too peppery to be used [301 ]. Although relished by the Vietnamese, the flavour of the leaves is not universally admired, though it is liked by some people who do not appreciate the taste of coriander leaves [310 ]. An oil can be extracted from the plant and is called Kesom oil - used as a flavouring [1-4].

ReferencesMore on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
AbortifacientAnaphrodisiacAntiemeticAntipyreticDiureticFebrifugeStomachic

The leaves are used as a diuretic, stomachic, febrifuge and anti-aphrodisiac[310 , 785 ]. The fresh leaves appear to have abortifacient properties[310 ]. Juice prepared from the crushed leaves is taken as an antidote against poisonous snake bite[310 ]. Externally, the crushed leaves are applied against fever, vomiting, ringworm and phagedaena[310 , 785 ].

ReferencesMore on Medicinal Uses

Other Uses

ReferencesMore on Other Uses

Cultivation details

ReferencesCarbon Farming Information andCarbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

Celsius Fahrenheit:

Plant Propagation

Seed. The plant is easily propagated by stem cuttings with 4 - 6 internodes (8 - 10 cm long) taken from the top of mature stems[310 ]. These are planted obliquely 5 - 6 cm apart with a row spacing of 10 - 15 cm in raised beds of light, well-manured soil and are watered well[310 ]. Under warm and humid conditions cuttings start rooting after 3 - 5 days and growing after about a week[310 ].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Rau ram or Vietnamese coriander, Vietnamese mint, Vietnamese cilantro, hot mint, laksa leaf, praew leaf.

Native Plant Search

Search over 900 plants ideal for food forests and permaculture gardens. Filter to search native plants to your area. The plants selected are the plants in our book 'Plants For Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens, as well as plants chosen for our forthcoming related books for Tropical/Hot Wet Climates and Mediterranean/Hot Dry Climates. Native Plant Search

Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Asia, Australia, Cambodia, Canada, Hawaii, Indochina, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Malaysia, North America, Pacific, SE Asia, Singapore, Tasmania, Thailand, USA, Vietnam.

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

None Known

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status : Not Listed.

Expert comment

Author

(Lour.) Soják

Botanical References

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here
A special thanks to Ken Fern for some of the information used on this page.

Readers comment