menthae haplocalycis herba

Menthae haplocalycis herba (薄荷), commonly known as Bo He in Chinese medicine and Mentha haplocalyx in scientific nomenclature, is the aerial part of the plant used traditionally in Chinese herbal medicine. It is classified as a "cooling" herb that disperses wind-heat and is primarily used to treat symptoms such as fever, headache, sore throat, red eyes, coughs associated with upper respiratory infections (wind-heat syndromes), and skin eruptions like measles or rashes. The herb also soothes liver-Qi stagnation and can relieve digestive discomfort including indigestion and bloating. Its main active constituents include volatile oils such as menthol and menthone. In addition to its internal use for colds or fevers with sore throat or headaches, it may be applied topically for itching or pain relief. The mechanism of action involves anti-inflammatory effects (reducing swelling/pain), mild analgesia (pain relief), antipyretic effects (fever reduction), antipruritic activity (relieving itchiness), local vasoconstriction on inflamed mucosa of the throat to reduce swelling/pain via its volatile oil content—primarily menthol[1][3][5][9].

Other names

mentha haplocalyxbo hefield mintpeppermintasian fieldmintcornmintwild pennyroyalwild mint