✵The article records the herb Peppermint, including its English name, Latin name, Pinyin name, properties and flavors, and botanical sources—three plant species: (1) Mentha haplocalyx Briq., (2) Mentha haplocalyx Briq. var. piperascens (Malinvaud) C. Y. Wu et H. W. Li, and (3) Mentha × piperita L. It provides a detailed introduction to the botanical features, growth characteristics, and ecological environments of these three plants; the macroscopic and microscopic characteristics of the herb Peppermint; its pharmacological actions, medicinal efficacy, and administration guidelines.
Herba Menthae (Peppermint)
Pinyin Name: Bò He
English Name: Peppermint
Latin Name:Herba Menthae Properties and Flavor: Cool, pungent
Brief Introduction:Herba Menthae is the dried aerial part of Mentha haplocalyx Briq. It is used (1) to disperse wind-heat in the treatment of wind-heat syndromes, (2) to clear the head and eyes for relieving headache and conjunctivitis, (3) to promote eruption in measles, and (4) to soothe the liver and alleviate hypochondriac and thoracic pain. The herb is commonly known as Herba Menthae, Peppermint, or Bò Hé.
Botanical Source:Herba Menthae (Peppermint) consists of the whole herb or leaves of (1) Mentha haplocalyx Briq., (2) Mentha haplocalyx Briq. var. piperascens (Malinvaud) C. Y. Wu et H. W. Li, or (3) Mentha × piperita L. These are plants of the genus Mentha (formerly classified under Mentha spicata L.), family Lamiaceae (Labiatae, mint family), order Lamiales. The three commonly used species are described below:
(1) Mentha haplocalyx Briq.
Botanical Description:Mentha haplocalyx Briq. is also known as M. haplocalyx Briq., M. aruensis L. var. haplocalyx Briq., M. aruensis auct. non L., and Mentha canadensis L. It is a perennial aromatic herb with upright stems reaching 30–80 cm in height. It possesses decumbent rhizomes extending up to 13 cm deep into the soil—crisp and easily broken. The stem is sharply quadrangular, much-branched, and glabrous on all four sides or sparsely covered with slightly retrorse pubescence; conspicuous hairs occur at the angles and near the nodes. Leaves are simple and opposite; petioles measure 2–15 mm; leaf blades vary widely in shape—lanceolate, ovate-lanceolate, oblong-lanceolate, or elliptical—2–7 cm long and 1–3 cm wide. The apex is acute or acuminate; the base is cuneate to suborbicular. The margin above the base bears sparse, coarse, large dentate-serrations. There are 5–6 pairs of lateral veins. The upper surface is dark green; the lower surface is light green. Both surfaces bear pubescence and yellow glandular scales—denser on the lower surface.
Verticillaster grows axillary, spherical, with a diameter of about 18 mm in flowering, and toward the stem apex, the internode length, leaf size, and inflorescence size gradually decrease; the peduncle bears several bractlets that are linear-lanceolate, not exceeding 2 mm in length, and covered with trichomes; pedicels (flower stalks) are thin and slender, 2.5 mm long, sparsely pilose or nearly glabrous; the calyx is tubular-campanulate (bell-shaped), 2–3 mm long, externally covered with pilose hairs and glandular scales, with 10 veins and 5 calyx teeth that are narrowly triangular-subulate, about 0.7 mm long, with ciliate margins; the corolla is mauve (lilac) to white, the limb has 4 lobes, the upper lobes are bifid at the apex and larger, while the other 3 lobes are nearly equal in size; the corolla throat is sparsely pubescent internally; there are 4 stamens, the anterior pair is longer, usually exserted beyond the corolla or enclosed within the corolla tube; filaments are thread-like and glabrous; anthers are ovoid, bilocular, with parallel anther locules; the style slightly protrudes beyond the stamens, with a nearly equal, bifid apex; the lobes are subulate.
The nutlets are long-ovoid, 0.9 mm long and 0.6 mm wide, yellow-brown or pale brown, bearing small pits (crypts). Its flowering period is from July to September; the fruiting period is from October to November.
Growth Characteristics: The plant grows along brook banks, ditches, roadsides, and in mountainous wild habitats, at altitudes up to 3,500 meters.
Mentha haplocalyx Briq. exhibits strong environmental adaptability and can grow at altitudes below 2,100 meters above sea level; in low-altitude regions, its essential oil and menthol content are higher. The plant prefers a warm, moist climate. Its rhizomes can sprout into seedlings at 5–6 °C (41–42.8 °F); the optimal temperature range for growth is 20–30 °C (68–86 °F). Rhizomes exhibit strong cold tolerance: if soil moisture is maintained, they can survive winter at temperatures as low as −30 to −20 °C (−22 to −4 °F). The plant prefers full sunlight and should not be cultivated in shaded locations. It has no strict soil requirements, but thrives best in loose, fertile, moist sandy or loamy-sandy soils. Soil pH should ideally range from 5.5 to 6.5, though it can tolerate slightly alkaline soils.
Characteristics of the Herb: The stem is quadrangular with opposite branches, 15–40 cm long and 0.2–0.4 cm in diameter. The surface is purple-brown or light green; the edges and angles are covered with pubescence; internodes are 2–5 cm long. The herb is crisp, with a white, hollow pith on fracture. Leaves are opposite, with short petioles; they are often wrinkled and curled; intact leaves are lanceolate, ovate-lanceolate, oblong-lanceolate, or elliptical, 2–7 cm long and 1–3 cm wide; the margin above the base bears sparse, coarse, and bluntly dentate teeth; lateral veins occur in 5–6 pairs; the upper surface is dark green, the lower surface is light green; both surfaces are pilose; concave glandular scales on the lower surface are visible under magnification. The upper part of the stem typically bears axillary verticillaster inflorescences; the calyx is campanulate (bell-shaped), apically 5-toothed, with narrowly triangular-subulate teeth sparsely pilose; numerous mauve (lilac) corollas are present. When rubbed, the herb emits a distinctive fragrance and tastes pungent and cooling.
Pharmacological Actions: (1) promotes cutaneous capillary dilation, induces diaphoresis, and exerts antipyretic effects; (2) possesses anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antipruritic activities; (3) relieves gastrointestinal spasms and stimulates secretion of respiratory glands.
Medicinal Efficacy: Expels wind and clears heat; clears the head and refreshes the eyes; induces diaphoresis and promotes eruption; soothes the throat; detoxifies; courses liver Qi and alleviates depression.
Administration of Herba Menthae (Bò He):
Reference:
Administration Guide of Herba Menthae (Bò He)
TCM Books:
(1) Internally: 3–9 grams, preferably added in the final stage of decoction; (2) water decoction, 0.8–2 qián (≈2.4–6 grams), not boiled excessively; alternatively, prepared as finely powdered herb or pills/powders. External use: fresh juice or water decoction applied topically. (3) water decoction, 3–6 grams, not boiled excessively, preferably added late; alternatively, prepared as pills or powders. External use: fresh juice or water decoction applied topically.
(2) Mentha haplocalyx Briq. var. piperascens (Malinvaud) C. Y. Wu et H. W. Li.
Botanical Description:Mentha haplocalyx Briq. var. piperascens (Malinvaud) C. Y. Wu et H. W. Li: the botanical appearance is similar to that of Mentha haplocalyx Briq. The main differences are as follows: leaves are ovate to oblong, 2–5 cm long, with glandular spots on both surfaces; calyx lobes are narrowly triangular and ciliate; corolla is lilac or white; nutlets are 0.7 mm long.
(3) Mentha x piperta L.
Botanical Description:Mentha × piperita L., commonly known as peppermint, has also been historically referred to as Mentha balsamea Willd., black mint (M. piperita var. vulgaris Sole), and white mint (M. piperita var. officinalis Sole). It is a perennial aromatic herb with a characteristic cooling taste. Rhizomes bear bracts and possess nodes at their apices, each bearing two opposite buds subtended by bud scales. Stems are quadrangular and erect, pubescent on the upper part, with only a few hairs along the angles on the lower part. Leaves are opposite, oblong-lanceolate to elliptic, 8–10 cm long and 3–5 cm wide; the apex is acute; the leaf lamina is flat; leaf color ranges from green to dark green; reticulate veins are sunken; leaf margins bear deep, sharp serrations; petioles are 1–2 cm long and pubescent. Axillary verticillasters (not "umbrella inflorescences") are present; the calyx is tubular-campanulate (bell-shaped). Peppermint was first collected and described by Carl Linnaeus ([1]) from a specimen gathered in England; although Linnaeus originally classified it as a distinct species, modern botanical consensus recognizes it as a sterile hybrid between spearmint (Mentha spicata L.) and watermint (Mentha aquatica L.).
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Explanatory Notes:
1. Carolus Linnaeus (1707–1778), Swedish naturalist and explorer, was the first to establish consistent principles for defining natural genera and species and to devise a standardized binomial nomenclature system for organisms.
✵The article records the herb Peppermint, including its English name, Latin name, Pinyin name, properties and flavors, and botanical sources—three plant species: (1) Mentha haplocalyx Briq., (2) Mentha haplocalyx Briq. var. piperascens (Malinvaud) C. Y. Wu et H. W. Li, and (3) Mentha × piperita L. It provides a detailed introduction to the botanical features, growth characteristics, and ecological environments of these three plants; the macroscopic and microscopic characteristics of the herb Peppermint; its pharmacological actions, medicinal efficacy, and administration guidelines.
Pinyin Name: Bò He
Botanical Description: Mentha haplocalyx Briq. is also known as M. haplocalyx Briq., M. aruensis L. var. haplocalyx Briq., M. aruensis auct. non L., and Mentha canadensis L. It is a perennial aromatic herb with upright stems reaching 30–80 cm in height. It possesses decumbent rhizomes extending up to 13 cm deep into the soil—crisp and easily broken. The stem is sharply quadrangular, much-branched, and glabrous on all four sides or sparsely covered with slightly retrorse pubescence; conspicuous hairs occur at the angles and near the nodes. Leaves are simple and opposite; petioles measure 2–15 mm; leaf blades vary widely in shape—lanceolate, ovate-lanceolate, oblong-lanceolate, or elliptical—2–7 cm long and 1–3 cm wide. The apex is acute or acuminate; the base is cuneate to suborbicular. The margin above the base bears sparse, coarse, large dentate-serrations. There are 5–6 pairs of lateral veins. The upper surface is dark green; the lower surface is light green. Both surfaces bear pubescence and yellow glandular scales—denser on the lower surface.
Characteristics of the Herb: The stem is quadrangular with opposite branches, 15–40 cm long and 0.2–0.4 cm in diameter. The surface is purple-brown or light green; the edges and angles are covered with pubescence; internodes are 2–5 cm long. The herb is crisp, with a white, hollow pith on fracture. Leaves are opposite, with short petioles; they are often wrinkled and curled; intact leaves are lanceolate, ovate-lanceolate, oblong-lanceolate, or elliptical, 2–7 cm long and 1–3 cm wide; the margin above the base bears sparse, coarse, and bluntly dentate teeth; lateral veins occur in 5–6 pairs; the upper surface is dark green, the lower surface is light green; both surfaces are pilose; concave glandular scales on the lower surface are visible under magnification. The upper part of the stem typically bears axillary verticillaster inflorescences; the calyx is campanulate (bell-shaped), apically 5-toothed, with narrowly triangular-subulate teeth sparsely pilose; numerous mauve (lilac) corollas are present. When rubbed, the herb emits a distinctive fragrance and tastes pungent and cooling.
Botanical Description: Mentha haplocalyx Briq. var. piperascens (Malinvaud) C. Y. Wu et H. W. Li: the botanical appearance is similar to that of Mentha haplocalyx Briq. The main differences are as follows: leaves are ovate to oblong, 2–5 cm long, with glandular spots on both surfaces; calyx lobes are narrowly triangular and ciliate; corolla is lilac or white; nutlets are 0.7 mm long.
Botanical Description: Mentha × piperita L., commonly known as peppermint, has also been historically referred to as Mentha balsamea Willd., black mint (M. piperita var. vulgaris Sole), and white mint (M. piperita var. officinalis Sole). It is a perennial aromatic herb with a characteristic cooling taste. Rhizomes bear bracts and possess nodes at their apices, each bearing two opposite buds subtended by bud scales. Stems are quadrangular and erect, pubescent on the upper part, with only a few hairs along the angles on the lower part. Leaves are opposite, oblong-lanceolate to elliptic, 8–10 cm long and 3–5 cm wide; the apex is acute; the leaf lamina is flat; leaf color ranges from green to dark green; reticulate veins are sunken; leaf margins bear deep, sharp serrations; petioles are 1–2 cm long and pubescent. Axillary verticillasters (not "umbrella inflorescences") are present; the calyx is tubular-campanulate (bell-shaped). Peppermint was first collected and described by Carl Linnaeus ([1]) from a specimen gathered in England; although Linnaeus originally classified it as a distinct species, modern botanical consensus recognizes it as a sterile hybrid between spearmint (Mentha spicata L.) and watermint (Mentha aquatica L.).
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