Dracocephalum moldovica: cultivation, chemical composition and biological activity

Abstract

Moldavian balm or Moldavian dragonhead (Dracocephalum moldavica L.) is native to temperate climate of Asia, but it was naturalized in Eastern and central Europe, North Africa, China and north-eastern United States. This plant with its citrus like flavor is extensively used as a spice and for composition of teas, because of neral and geranial as major constituents of essential oil. D. moldavica is used in food aromatization, perfumery, alcoholic drinks industry, soaps and detergents. Apart from being used as medicinal and spice plant, it is grown as a honey-bearing plant and cultivated in gardens and parks as an ornamental plant. Seed is a good source of fatty oil with spicy taste and aromatic odor, rich in unsaturated fatty acids, principally the linolenic and linoleic acids. This categorizes D. moldavica seed into the group of raw materials suitable for nutraceuticals, food supplements, and functional food applications. Furthermore, numerous investigations show that this plant possesses good antioxidative, antimicrobial and insecticidal activity. It is also used as antinociceptive, sedative, neuroprotective, as well as cardiotonic agents, and for treating chronic mountain sickness.