Mountain Mint (Pycnanthemum Virginanum is found on prairies wet and dry and in open areas throughout the Tallgrass region. Mountain Mint usually grows 2-3' tall. Dense clusters of white flowers bloom from July through September. Leaves extremely narrow; typical square stem of the Mint Family. Flowers are very fragrant. Crushed leaves emit a very strong minty odor. Mountain Mint attracts many insects to the flowers, such as various bees, wasps, flies, small butterflies, and beetles; inccluding honeybees, Halictid bees, Eumenine wasps, bee flies, Tachinid flies, Wedge-shaped beetles, and Pearl Cresecent butterflies.

The Meskwaki used this plant as an unspecified remedy and for baiting their mink traps. The Potawatomi believed a tea made from the leaves of this plant to be the best tonic for revival from exhaustion or a generally rundown condition. Early settlers used a poultice including P. tenuifolium on dog and other animal bites to prevent rabies. A leaf tea served as a general tonic and as a treatment for indigestion. They also used the leaves as a seasoning in cooking.

Edible Uses: Flower buds and leaves - raw or cooked. A mint-like flavour, they make a nice addition to salads or can be used as a condiment. The fresh or dried leaves are brewed into a refreshing mint-like tea.

Medicinal Uses: A tea made from the leaves is alterative, diaphoretic and carminative. A poultice of the leaves is used in the treatment of headaches. The tea is also used in the treatment of menstrual disorders, indigestion, colic, coughs, colds, chills and fevers.The flowering stems are cut as flowering begins and they can be used fresh or dried. There is a suggestion that this plant can cause abortions, so it is best not used by pregnant women.

Herbal Uses: Unknown