bo he

薄荷·Herba Menthae

field mint

About bo he

Bo He (薄荷) is field mint, recorded as Herba Menthae. It is acrid and aromatic in flavour and cool in temperature, entering the Lung and Liver channels. The catalogue files it among the cool, acrid herbs that release the Exterior.

Names

Pinyinbo he
Chinese薄荷
Latin NameHerba Menthae·Menthae Haplocalycis
English Namefield mint·field mint; peppermint·Mentha·peppermint
Japanesehakka
Koreanbakha

Classification

Category
Antispasmodic, Antitussive, Cool, Acrid, Release Exterior
Channels
Lung, Liver
Flavour
Acrid, Aromatic
Temperature
Cool
Family
Lamiaceae
Species
Mentha Haplocalyz
Tags
Chinese Herbs, Common

Actions and indications

Disperses Wind-Heat, clears the head and eyes and benefits the throat

  • Common cold or the early stage of a febrile illness from Wind-Heat: fever, headache, cough and a sore throat
  • Wind-Heat rising to the head, with red and painful eyes, headache and a sore, swollen throat

Vents rashes

  • Rashes in their early stage, or slow to come out fully, such as measles

Spreads constrained Liver Qi

  • Liver Qi constraint with pressure or distension in the chest and flanks, emotional upset, and gynaecological complaints

Expels turbid filth

  • Summertime stomach upset after contact with unclean Qi: vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain, with a thick, greasy, yellow tongue coat

Combinations

Dosage

AgeRawGranuleTinctureConcentrateFrequency
Any 1.5-30g (3-6g); Tincture: 2-3 ml1.5-30 g—2-3 ml——

Cautions