Agastache rugosa (Agastache rugosa)

Other names: Agastache rugosa, Agastache wrinkled, Korean mint, Huo xiang

Agastache scabious, also known as Agastache rugosa, Agastache wrinkled, Korean mint, or Huo xiang, is a plant native to East Asia, especially the regions of China, Japan, and Korea. It is a perennial herb of the deaf-headed family. It grows to a height of up to 1.2 metres and produces dense tufts of dark green leaves with sharp points and a wrinkled surface, from which its name is derived. In summer, the plant develops dense spikes of striking blue-purple flowers that are strongly scented and attract butterflies and bees.

As a traditional medicinal plant, Agastache scabious is widely used in Chinese medicine and Korean folk medicine. Its leaves are dried and used to make tea, which is used to treat indigestion, diarrhea and to reduce fever. Because of its strong aroma, the plant is also used as an aromatic ingredient in food processing, especially in Korea it is used as a spice to flavour various dishes. Agastache scabious is also an increasingly popular addition to modern herb gardens for its attractive appearance and beneficial properties for pollinators. The modern cosmetic industry has also discovered its potential and uses it in the manufacture of various cosmetic products including face masks, creams and fragrance oils.