Herba Menthae
Source
The branch and leaf of Mentha haplocalyx Briq., family Labiatae.
Characteristics
A
herb. Stem square, leaves opposite, elliptical; both covered with white
hairs and glandular scales. Flowers axillary and as verticillaster. Stem
section showing white and hollow pith. Aromatic in odour. Acrid in taste,
cool in nature, and attributive to liver and lung channels.
Indication
1. Expel wind and heat, clear away heat from head and eye and ease the
throat: For common cold of wind-heat type and early stage of seasonal
febrile disease with mild chilliness, anhidrosis, headache and general
aching, and headache of wind-heat type, eye pain, sorethroat, used together
with Flos Lonicerae, Fructus Forsythiae, etc.
2.
Disperse wind, let out the skin eruption and alleviate itching: For the
early stage of eruptive diseases and urticaria, usually used together
with Periostracum Cicadae, Fructus Arctll, etc.
Pharmacological
Action
1. Stimulating the central nervous system, dilating cutaneous capillaries
and accelerating the secretion of sweat glands.
2. Its component camphor is an expectorant, its volatile oil is a stomachic.
Administration Decoction: 2-10g (decocted later).