Phyla Dulcis ( Aztec Sweet Herb) Seedlings

Phyla dulcis (syn. Lippia dulcis) is a species of perennial herbaceous plant. It is known by several common names, including Aztec sweet herb, bushy lippia, honeyherb, hierba dulce, and tzopelic-xihuitl(Nahuatl).

This plant has historically /, used as a natural sweetener and medicinal herb in its native Mexico and parts of Central America. It was used by the Aztecs and introduced to the Spanish when they arrived.

The sweet taste is caused by a sesquiterpene compound called hernandulcin, which was discovered in 1985 and named for Francisco Hernández, the Spanish physician who first described the plant in the sixteenth century. The use of Phyla dulcis has not become widespread because it also contains high levels bitter compounds, especially camphor.