Peppermint: Preparation, Dosing and Timing in TCM

There is a gap between knowing that Peppermint helps and knowing what to do with the dried root that arrives in the post. This page closes it, with the forms TCM actually uses.

The classic preparation

Steep 3 to 6 grams dried leaf briefly, 3 to 5 minutes, added near the end of decoctions to keep the volatile oils.

Combining herbs is normal practice, not a novelty. A pairing that works well here is chrysanthemum, the classic cooling pair for sore throat and red eyes.

Timing and rhythm

Cool in nature, so the usual rhythm is steady daily use with occasional pauses. Warm preparations land better in the morning; cooling ones can go later in the day.

What to buy

Buy from a source with turnover. Herbs fade with light, air and time, and a pharmacy that sells a lot of Peppermint will have the freshest stock. Smell matters: the aroma should be clean and distinct, not dusty.

Start low, watch how your body responds, and give it a fair run of a few weeks before judging. If something feels wrong, stop; that feedback matters more than any article.