Dried Mint Leaves
The cooling, aromatic leaf of Chinese medicine — Dried Mint Leaves disperse Wind-Heat, clear the head and eyes, benefit the throat, and move Liver Qi with their refreshing, penetrating fragrance.
What Is Dried Mint Leaves?
Dried Mint Leaves (Bo He Ye, 薄荷叶) are the dried leaves of Mentha haplocalyx, the Chinese peppermint plant. Pungent and cool in nature, they are one of the most versatile and widely used of the Wind-Heat dispersing herbs — aromatic, refreshing, and effective across a broad range of conditions affecting the head, face, throat, and eyes.
Mint's cool, ascending, and dispersing nature makes it ideally suited for clearing Wind-Heat from the head and face — relieving headache, sore throat, red eyes, and the early stages of febrile illness. Through its action on the Liver channel, it also moves stagnant Liver Qi to relieve emotional tension, chest tightness, and flank discomfort. Its light, volatile oils evaporate quickly when heated, so it is added last in decoctions or used raw in teas to preserve its aromatic potency.
History & Origin
Mint has been used in Chinese medicine since at least the Tang Dynasty, with its documentation growing through the Song, Ming, and Qing periods as its unique combination of dispersing and Liver-soothing actions became increasingly understood.
Traditional Uses
Disperses Wind-Heat
The primary action — releases Wind-Heat from the exterior, used for early-stage febrile illness with fever, slight chills, headache, and sore throat from Wind-Heat invasion.
Clears the Head & Eyes
Its ascending, dispersing nature clears Wind-Heat from the head and face — used for headache, red and painful eyes, and dizziness from Wind-Heat.
Benefits the Throat
One of the foremost herbs for sore, swollen throat from Wind-Heat — used in teas and formulas for throat inflammation, hoarse voice, and tonsillitis.
Promotes Rash Eruption
Facilitates the outward expression of early-stage rashes and measles by dispersing Wind-Heat from the skin — used to help rashes complete their natural progression.
Moves Liver Qi
Through its action on the Liver channel, Mint moves stagnant Qi — used for emotional tension, chest tightness, flank distension, and irritability from Liver Qi stagnation.
Clears Summer Heat
Used in summer cooling teas and formulas to relieve Summer-Heat with headache, restlessness, and thirst — its cooling fragrance refreshing the body and mind.
Health Benefits
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Wind-Heat ReliefPremier herb for early-stage Wind-Heat illness — relieving headache, fever, and the first signs of respiratory infection.
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Head & Eye ClarityClears Wind-Heat from the head and eyes — used for red eyes, headache, and facial heat from Wind-Heat.
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Throat SoothingA go-to herb for sore, inflamed throat — cooling heat and soothing irritation with its pungent, cooling fragrance.
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Liver Qi ReliefMoves stagnant Liver Qi to relieve chest tightness, flank discomfort, and emotional tension.
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Bioactive RichnessMenthol, menthone, and rosmarinic acid with antispasmodic, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties.
This content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before using any herbal supplement, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medication.