The consumption of medicinal plants for infusion or even for industrialized medicines
is increasing leading to a raise in the commercialization of their seeds. The cultivation of these
species, however, isn?t an easy task for seeds consumers. Among the troubles they have to face,
there is the low stand by area due the use of low quality seeds, or by the fact the consumers follow
the, not always true, instructions found on the seeds package label. Considering these difficulties,
it was carried out the present work with the objective of evaluating the seeds quality of five
medicinal plants species, to verify the true of the information printed on the package, mainly
concerned to the germination test reproducibility and evaluate the seeds dormancy overcoming
methods indicated by the Brazilian Seeds Testing Rules. Seeds of Pimpinella anisum L., Foeniculum
vulgare Mill., Artemisia absinthium L., Melissa officinalis L. and Mentha piperita L. were submitted
to overcoming dormancy treatments, being evaluated, subsequently, the germination and emergency
in greenhouse. It was concluded that germination percentage indicated on the package overestimates
the seeds quality; the pre-chilling is an efficient method for overcoming the Melissa officinalis
seeds dormacy; and the KNO3 used is appropriate for overcoming seed dormancy of Mentha
piperita. It was concluded too that information about seeds dormancy, as well as the suitable
method for overcoming it, must be printed on the package of medicinal plants seeds.