Mint
Mint Detailed Encyclopedia
Mint is a commonly used exterior-releasing Chinese herbal plant, with effects of dispersing wind-heat, clearing head and eyes, benefiting throat and promoting rash eruption, soothing liver and moving qi. Widely distributed throughout China, it is a commonly used cool exterior-releasing herb in traditional Chinese herbal practice, and also an important spice and food additive.
Basic Information
Family：Lamiaceae
Scientific Name：Mentha haplocalyx
Origin：Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Jiangxi, Anhui of China
Harvest Period：Summer and autumn (June-September)
Growth Years：1 year
Plant Height：30-60 cm
Morphological Characteristics
Leaves：Opposite, lanceolate or ovate, serrated margins, aromatic
Flowers：Whorled inflorescence, pale purple or white flowers, blooming July-September
Roots：Fibrous roots and creeping rhizomes
Stem：Square stem, erect or ascending, branched
Growth Environment
Soil Requirements：Fertile sandy loam or clay loam, pH 6.0-7.5
Water Requirements：Moisture-loving, keep soil moist
Light Requirements：Sun-loving, also shade-tolerant
Temperature Requirements：20-30°C, cold-tolerant, can withstand -15°C
Humidity Requirements：Relative humidity 60-70%
Classification & Varieties
Main Varieties
Processing Types
💊 Health Benefits
Nature & Taste：Pungent, cool
Meridian：Enters Lung, Liver meridians
Main Efficacies
- •Disperses wind-heat, suitable for wind-heat common cold, headache, red eyes, sore throat
- •Clears head and eyes, benefits throat and promotes rash eruption, improves incomplete measles eruption, rubella itching
- •Soothes liver and moves qi, relieves liver qi stagnation, chest tightness and hypochondriac pain
- •Refreshes the mind, relieves headache and dizziness
- •Antibacterial and anti-inflammatory, enhances immunity
Active Ingredients
📖 Usage Methods
Dosage
- •Decoction: 3-6g, add later
- •Powder: 1-2g
- •Stew: Add to soups for flavor
- •Tea: Fresh or dried leaves steeped in water
⚠️ Contraindications
- •Use with caution in yin deficiency with blood dryness, excessive sweating
- •Use with caution in liver yang hyperactivity
- •Pregnant women use in moderation
- •Children use in moderation
🌱 Cultivation Techniques
Cultivation Points
- •Select moist location with good drainage
- •Deep tillage, apply organic fertilizer
- •Spring or autumn planting, plant spacing 20-30cm
- •Timely weeding, adequate watering
Common Pests & Diseases
Prevention Measures：Strengthen field management, maintain ventilation
Treatment Methods：Spray bordeaux mixture or carbendazim at early stage
✂️ Harvest & Processing
Harvest Timing：Summer-autumn June-September, harvest when flowering
Harvest Method：Cut aerial parts, can harvest 2-3 times per year
Processing Methods
- •Fresh mint: Wash and use directly
- •Dried mint: Sun-dry or shade-dry
- •Mint oil: Steam distillation to extract essential oil
Storage：Store in cool, dry place, sealed to preserve aroma
🏛️ Cultural Value
History：Mint has been used for over 2000 years, listed in famous materia medica
Symbolism：Symbolizes freshness and vitality
Gift Culture：Traditional cooling and refreshing herb
Modern Research：Modern research confirms antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and digestive-promoting effects
Market Value：Important herbal material, spice, and essential oil source