exterior-releasing
Mint (Bo He)
薄荷 · Bòhé
Mentha haplocalyx
Nature
Cool
Saveur
Pungent
Meridian
Lung, Liver
Chinese mint — lighter and greener than Western peppermint — disperses wind-heat at the surface, lifts the rash-bound pox of childhood tradition, and vents liver qi as a cooling breath. It must be steeped briefly, added at the end of decoction, so its menthol spirit survives.
🌿 Fonctions
- •Disperses wind-heat
- •Clears the head and eyes and benefits the throat
- •Vents rashes
- •Soothes liver qi stagnation
📖 Usage
3–6 g steeped (added to decoction in the final 3–5 minutes); fresh leaves in summer teas.
🔬 Recherche moderne
Menthol is among the best-characterized natural compounds, with well-documented cooling, antitussive, and airway-soothing effects.
⚠️ Contre-indications
Avoid with yin deficiency, night sweats, and in nursing mothers (may reduce milk).
