Peppermint in Traditional Chinese Medicine - Benefits, Uses and Safety

Overview

Peppermint, Bo He in Chinese, is cool, acrid and aromatic. In Traditional Chinese Medicine it disperses wind-heat, clears the head and eyes, and soothes the liver qi. It is one of the most common herbs in daily Chinese life, fresh in summer drinks and dried in formulas.

Traditional Uses in TCM

• Wind-heat colds: for the warm type of common cold with sore throat, mild fever and thirst, mint helps disperse the pathogen outward.
• Head and eyes: for headaches and red, tired eyes from wind-heat or long screen hours.
• Stress digestion: mint moves liver qi, easing bloating and belching that worsen with frustration and stress.
• Throat and voice: teachers and singers in China drink mint tea for a scratchy throat.

How to Use

Steep fresh or dried mint (3 to 6 grams dried) for only 3 to 5 minutes; its active oils evaporate with long boiling, so mint is added near the end of decoctions. Fresh mint leaves make a simple tea with a little honey, or combine with chrysanthemum for a classic cooling summer drink. A few leaves chewed fresh freshen the breath and settle mild nausea.

Safety and Cautions

Mint is very safe in food amounts. Because it is cooling and dispersing, it is avoided in wind-cold colds (chills without fever), and TCM cautions against long daily use by nursing mothers, as it may reduce milk supply. Mint can relax the lower esophageal sphincter, so it may worsen acid reflux heartburn in susceptible people. Mint oil capsules should be kept away from infants and small children.