• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.95-110
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• 2020

Background: In Korea, Agastache rugosa (Fisch. & C. A. Mey.) O. Kuntze is one of the well-known perennial plants belonging to Lamiaceae. This mint-fragranced plant has long been used for the treatment of abdominal pain, congestion, chills, and diarrhea since the Goryeo Dynasty. Although this plant has various medicinal properties, it is only used as a spice and for landscape purposes. Methods and Results: The objective of this paper was to review the chemical composition and biological properties of the essential oil of A. rugosa. Several studies reported that the essential oil contains more than 60 different chemical components of monoterpene and sesquiterpene hydrocarbons and oxygenated hydrocarbons. The major component is methyl chavicol (estragole), accounting for 64% - 88% of the oil. The chemical composition of this essential oil vaired widely according to the planting time, environmental conditions, planting distance, fertilizer application, and harvesting time. Conclusions: The essential oil of A. rugosa possesses various pharmacological properties such as antioxidant, antibacterial, anticancer, antiviral, nematicidal, antifungal, insecticidal, wrinkle improver, stress reliever, and Alzheimer's disease alleviator. Hence, the essential oil from A. rugosa could be used for the development of high value-added industrial products in the near future.