New Zealand Institute for Crop & Food Research Ltd

A Crown Research Institute

Muña-muña (Satureja parvifolia)

Muña-Muña is a multi-branched, small-leaved, deciduous shrub that is highly prized

for its medicinal and aromatic properties. It is a tough and versatile plant that will
tolerate drought once established.

Other names for muña-muña include muña and
orégano (Mendoza). The plant is a native of the Central
Andes of South America and forms a shrub up to 1.5 m tall
with dense, erect parallel branches.
Characteristics
Muña-muña is harvested in bulk from the wild and
marketed as a dried herb in shops in much of South
America, from Peru to Argentina. It can be dried and used
in tea bags. An essential oil can also be extracted and
sold as a concentrate.
Ethnobotanical and traditional claims include medicinal
properties (digestive, mountain sickness, emmenagogue,
aphrodisiac, immune enhancement, influenza) and use as
an aromatic herb (culinary, infusions, tonic), bactericide,
insect repellent and fodder shrub. Several of these claims
are supported by chemical evidence.
Environment
Muña-muña is a tough and versatile plant that will
tolerate drought and frost once established. However, it
grows best if water is available during low rainfall periods.
The plant does not require shelter except in very exposed
situations, and is also very cold tolerant, growing well from
coastal Otago to Central Otago.
It tolerates slightly acid soils, cool moderately moist
summers and cold winters. It should do well in hill country
throughout New Zealand and in lowlands in Canterbury to
Southland. Muña-muña prefers sunny conditions with well
drained, light soils.

Crop & Food Research [BROAD sheet] Number 136 December 2002
Management
There is significant plant-to-plant variation in chemical
composition, and selections could be developed to fit
market requirements. For the purposes of quality control
and marketing, careful note must be made of the origins
of particular plantings. Seeds become readily available
in mature plants, but these should not be used for
propagation as they are different chemotypes. For the
same reason, self-sown seedlings should be removed
and destroyed. Propagation from cuttings is relatively
straightforward and allows the multiplication of plants with
desirable chemotypes.
The ground must be prepared for planting if possible
at least two weeks in advance by removing weeds in a
1 m wide strip. The suggested planting distance within
rows is 1 m. The distance between rows should be 2 m or
more, depending on the harvesting techniques (manual
or mechanical) planned. Light, well drained soil with good
organic content requires no further preparation. In poor
soils, compost should be added. In hard, compacted soil,
the surface must be ripped and compost added to enable
roots to penetrate. Blood and bone and other nitrogenous
fertilisers will accelerate growth.
Mulch reduces water loss due to evaporation. Plants
should be watered during the establishment phase.
Contacts
Invermay
Stephan Halloy
Crop & Food Research
Private Bag 50034
Mosgiel
Tel . 03 489 0673
Fax. 03 489 0674
Email halloys@crop.cri.nz
Muña-muña has suffered from whitefly under
greenhouse conditions. No pests or diseases have been
reported on field-grown plants. The plant is palatable to stock
and should be protected from animal grazing.
Harvest and processing
In the Andes whole branches or even whole plants are
uprooted and left to dry on the ground or are hung under a
roof. The plant is deciduous and so is harvested from
summer to autumn.
In a managed cultivation more than one harvest is
possible in a season. Plants regenerate vigorous new
branches after cutting, providing material for the next
harvest. The height at which shrubs must be cut for best
quality and yield requires investigation. Cutting the branches
back to no less than 40 cm above ground leaves enough
basal stem and branches to provide for vigorous regrowth.
Research needed
Future research should focus on agronomy, cropping
times and methods, extraction and concentration
techniques. Different provenances should also be
evaluated. Because muña-muña is hardy, its potential to
spread should be monitored. Its high palatability should help
keep it in check.
Disclaimer
The above notes are intended to provide growers who
have no information with a basic understanding of growth
requirements. They are written in good faith using
information available to the author at the date of writing.
The plants are as yet little-known and experimental results
will help us understand their requirements better. No liability
is implied in writing these notes for losses or damages from
their application or for statements made about the potential
of the crop.
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