Menthae Haplocalycis Herba
Aliases：Fān Hé Cài, Nán Bò Hé, Māo Er Bó Kē, Yě Bò Hé, Shēng Yáng Cài, Bó Kē, Wěi Hé, Yè Xī Huā, Rén Dān Cǎo, Jiàn Zhǒng Xiāo, Shuǐ Yì Mǔ, Jiē Gǔ Cǎo, Tǔ Bò Hé, Yú Xiāng Cǎo, Xiāng Rú Cǎo, Fān Hé Yào, Pó Hé, Bǔ Báo, Xiāng Hé Yè.
Bò Hé (Mint) is a traditional Chinese medicinal herb. It is a commonly used wind-heat dispersing medicinal material, derived from the aerial parts of Mentha haplocalyx Briq., a plant belonging to the genus Mentha of the family Lamiaceae. It is a perennial herbaceous plant, growing 30–100 cm tall, with a characteristic aromatic and cooling fragrance throughout. The stem is quadrangular with opposite branches, and its surface is purplish-brown or pale green. The leaves are opposite, crumpled and curled, and when fully expanded are broadly lanceolate or ovate in shape. The verticillaster inflorescences are axillary, with light purple corollas. Mint is both a traditionally commonly used Chinese medicinal material and a widely applied medicinal and edible plant in daily life.
Efficacy & Actions
Disperses wind-heat; clears the head and eyes; benefits the throat; promotes eruption of rashes; and soothes the Liver to regulate Qi flow.
Indications
Indicated for wind-heat common cold, early-stage warm-febrile disease, headache, red eyes, sore throat, mouth ulcers, rubella, measles, and chest and hypochondriac distension. It may also be used for dizziness and cough due to wind-heat attacking the upper body.
Modern Pharmacology
Diaphoretic and antipyretic: Mint oil promotes capillary dilation and sweat gland secretion, achieving antipyretic and heat-relieving effects through sweating. Anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antiviral: It exhibits inhibitory and bactericidal effects against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and other pathogens; and possesses anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antioxidant, and other activities. Antitumor: It has antitumor effects. Choleretic and hepatoprotective: Menthol and various other components have significant choleretic effects. Analgesic, sedative, and antispasmodic: It exhibits analgesic, sedative, and antispasmodic effects. Immunomodulatory and neuroprotective: Menthol enhances immunity, reduces brain inflammatory cytokine levels, and improves cognitive function. Anti-aging: Mint volatile oil has anti-aging effects, possibly related to enhancing immune function and increasing antioxidant capacity in elderly mice.
Ingredients
Mint primarily contains volatile oil, the main components of which are menthol, menthone, isomenthone, menthyl esters, and various other compounds. It also contains isorhoifolin, mint glycosides, and various free amino acids. The volatile oil composition varies by region, with common chemotypes including the L-menthol type, pulegone type, and carvone type. It also contains linarin, hesperidin, caffeic acid, and other components. The Chinese Pharmacopoeia stipulates that the volatile oil content of mint shall not be less than 0.80% (ml/g).
Usage & Dosage
For oral administration: decoct in water, 3–6 g. It should be added to the decoction last and not be decocted for a long time, to prevent the loss of volatile active components. May also be made into pills or powders. For external use: decoct in water for washing, or crush to extract juice for topical application.
Contraindications
Not suitable for those with debility and excessive sweating—as this herb is aromatic, pungent, and dispersing, it consumes Qi and induces sweating. Contraindicated in cases of Yin deficiency with blood dryness and Liver Yang hyperactivity. Use with caution in those with stomach cold and intolerance to cold—as mint is cool in nature, it may aggravate gastrointestinal symptoms and even cause diarrhea. Use with caution in those with allergic predisposition. Avoid excessive consumption—overdose may cause toxic reactions, manifesting as headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, slowed heart rate, and decreased blood pressure. The recommended daily dosage should not exceed 50 mg/kg body weight. Contraindicated during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Avoid consuming warm-natured foods during the medication period; avoid soft-shelled turtle.
Selected Formulas
For wind-heat common cold or early-stage warm disease (Wenbing Tiaobian, Yinqiao San) Take Bohe (Mint) together with Jinyinhua (Honeysuckle flower), Lianqiao (Forsythia), Niubangzi (Arctium fruit), and Jingjie (Schizonepeta). Decoct in water and drink. For wind-heat attacking upward with headache and dizziness (Danxi Xinfa, Shangqing San) Take Bohe with Chuanxiong (Ligusticum), Shigao (Gypsum), and Baizhi (Angelica dahurica). Decoct in water and drink. For sore and swollen throat (Houke Mizhi, Liuwei Tang) Take Bohe with Jiegeng (Platycodon), raw Gancao (Licorice), and Jiangcan (Stiff silkworm). Decoct in water and drink. For measles with poor eruption (Xianxingzhai Yixue Guangbiji, Zhuye Liubang Tang) Take Bohe with Chantui (Cicada slough), Niubangzi, and Chengliu (Tamarix). Decoct in water and drink. For wind-heat cough and relieving throat and diaphragm (Jianbian Danfang) Take Bohe, grind into powder, mix with honey to make pills the size of Gorgon seeds. Dissolve one pill in the mouth each time. For red and eroded eyelid margins (Mingmu Jingyan Fang) Take Bohe, soak in ginger juice overnight, dry in the sun, and grind into powder. For each use, take 1 qian and steep in boiling water for washing.
Daily Consumption
Mint Tea: Take 5–10 g of dried mint (or 6–10 fresh mint leaves), steep in boiling water for 5–10 minutes. May be sweetened with rock sugar or honey to taste. Mint may also be brewed with black tea to make mint black tea. Mint Lemon Water: Take 5 g of dried mint and 3–4 slices of lemon, steep in warm water, and add an appropriate amount of honey. Mint Cool Tea: Wash fresh mint, steep in boiling water, add an appropriate amount of white sugar, and consume after cooling. It helps relieve summer heat. Mint Salad: Remove mint leaves from the stems, wash in salt water, drain, and season with salt, vinegar, and olive oil. It helps disperse wind-heat. Soup and Congee: Mint can be used in soups and congee.
Medicinal Parts
Dried aerial parts.
Selection & Storage
Store in a cool, dry place.
