（《唐本草》）
【校正】自菜部移入此。
【释名】菝 （音跋活）、蕃荷菜（蕃，音鄱）、吴菝 （《食性》）、南薄荷（《衍义》）、
金钱薄荷。
时珍曰∶薄荷，俗称也。陈士良《食性本草》作菝 ，扬雄《甘泉赋》作茇 ，吕忱《字
林》作茇 ，则薄荷之为讹称可知矣。孙思邈《千金方》作蕃荷，又方音之讹也。今人药用，
多以苏州者为胜，故陈士良谓之吴菝 ，以别胡菝 也。
宗 曰∶世称此为南薄荷，为有一种龙脑薄荷，所以别之。
机曰∶小儿方多用金钱薄荷，谓其叶小颇圆如钱也，书作金银误矣。
【集解】颂曰∶薄荷处处有之。茎叶似荏而尖长，经冬根不死，夏秋采茎叶曝干。古方
稀用，或与薤作齑食。近世治风寒为要药，故人家多莳之。又有胡薄荷，与此相类，但味少
甘为别。生江浙间，彼人多以作茶饮之，欲呼新罗薄荷。近汴洛僧寺或植一、二本者，《天
宝单方》所谓连钱草者是也。又有石薄荷，生江南山石间，叶微小，至冬紫色，不闻有别功
用。
恭曰∶薄荷，人家种之，亦堪生食。一种蔓生者，功用相似。
时珍曰∶薄荷，人多栽莳。二月宿根生苗，清明前后分之。方茎赤色，其叶对生，初时
形长而头圆，及长则尖。吴、越、川、湖人多以代茶。苏州所莳者，茎小而气芳，江西者，
稍粗，川蜀者更粗，入药以苏产为胜。《物类相感志》云∶凡收薄荷，须隔夜以粪水浇之，
雨后乃可刈收，则性凉，不尔不凉也。野生者，茎叶气味都相似。
茎叶
【气味】辛，温，无毒。
思邈曰∶苦、辛，平。元素曰∶辛、凉。 曰∶茎性燥。
甄权曰∶同薤作齑食，相宜。新病瘥人勿食之，令人虚汗不止。瘦弱人久食之，动消渴
病。
【主治】贼风伤寒发汗，恶气心腹胀满，霍乱，宿食不消，下气，煮汁服之，发汗，大
解劳乏，亦堪生食（《唐本》）。作菜久食，却肾气，辟邪毒，除劳气，令人口气香洁。煎汤
洗漆疮（思邈）。通利关节，发毒汗，去愤气，破血止痢（甄权）。疗阴阳毒，伤寒头痛，四
季宜食（士良）。治中风失音吐痰（《日华》）。主伤风头脑风，通关格，及小儿风涎，为要药
（苏颂）。杵汁服，去心脏风热（孟诜）。清头目，除风热（李杲）。利咽喉口齿诸病，治瘰
疮疥，风瘙瘾疹。捣汁含漱，去舌
苔语涩。 叶塞鼻
【发明】元素曰∶薄荷辛凉，气味俱薄，浮而升，阳也。故能去高巅及皮肤风热。
士良曰∶薄荷能引诸药入营卫，故能发散风寒。
宗 曰∶小儿惊狂壮热，须此引药。又治骨蒸热劳，用其汁与众药熬为膏。猫食薄荷则
醉，物相感尔。
好古曰∶薄荷，手、足厥阴气分药也。能搜肝气，又主肺盛有余肩背痛，及风寒汗出。
时珍曰∶薄荷入手太阴、足厥阴，辛能发散，凉能清利，专于消风散热，故头痛头风眼
目咽喉口齿诸病，小儿惊热及瘰 疮疥，为要药。戴原礼氏治猫咬，取其汁涂之有效，盖取
其相制也。
陆农师曰∶薄荷，猫之酒也。犬，虎之酒也。桑椹，鸠之酒也。 草，鱼之酒也。昝殷
《食医心镜
【附方】旧二，新八。
清上化痰∶利咽膈，治风热。以薄荷末，炼蜜丸芡子大。每噙一丸。白砂糖和之亦可。
（《简便单方》）
风气瘙痒∶用大薄荷、蝉蜕等分，为末。每温酒调服一钱。（《永类钤
舌苔语蹇∶薄荷自然汁，和白蜜、姜汁擦之。（《医学集成》）
眼弦赤烂∶薄荷，以生姜汁浸一宿，晒干为末。每用一钱，沸汤炮洗。（《明目经验方》）
瘰结核，或破未破。以新薄荷二斤（取汁），皂荚一挺（水浸去皮，捣取汁）。同于银石器
内熬膏。入连翘末半两，连白青皮、陈皮，黑牵牛（半生半炒）各一两，皂荚仁一两半，同
捣和丸梧子大。每服三十丸，煎连翘汤下。（《济生方》）
衄血不止∶薄荷汁滴之。或以干者水煮，绵裹塞鼻。（许学士《本事方》）
血痢不止∶薄荷叶煎汤常服。（《普济》）
水入耳中∶薄荷汁滴入立效。（《经验方》）
蜂虿螫伤∶薄荷叶 贴之。（《外台秘要》）
火毒生疮∶冬间向火，火气入内，两股生疮，汁水淋漓者。用薄荷煎汁频涂，立愈。（张
杲《医说》）
(From *Tang Bencao*)
[Correction] Moved from the Vegetable Section to this section.
[Names] Bahuo (pronounced "Bahuó"), Fanhecai ("Fan" pronounced "Pó"), Wu Bahuo (see *Shixing Bencao*), Nan Bohe (Southern Mint, see *Yanyi*), Jinian Bohe (Money Mint).
Li Shizhen states: "Bohe" is a common name. Chen Shiliang's *Shixing Bencao* writes it as "Bahuo", Yang Xiong's *Ganquan Fu* writes it as "Bahé", and Lü Chen's *Zilin* also writes it as "Bahé". Thus, it is evident that "Bohe" is a corrupted term. Sun Simiao's *Qianjin Fang* writes it as "Fanhé", which is another phonetic corruption. Currently, for medicinal use, the variety from Suzhou is considered superior. Therefore, Chen Shiliang called it "Wu Bahuo" to distinguish it from Hu Bahuo.
Su Song states: The world calls this "Nan Bohe" (Southern Mint) because there is a type known as Longnao Bohe (Camphor Mint), so they are distinguished by these names.
Kou Zongshi states: Pediatric formulas often use Jinian Bohe (Money Mint) because its leaves are small and round like coins. Writing it as "Jinyin" (Gold and Silver) in texts is an error.
[Collection and Explanation] Su Song states: Mint grows everywhere. Its stems and leaves resemble those of Ren (Perilla frutescens var. acuta) but are sharper and longer. The roots survive the winter. Stems and leaves are harvested in summer and autumn and dried in the sun. Ancient prescriptions rarely used it; sometimes it was eaten as a pickle with Scallion Bulb (Xie). In recent times, it has become a key herb for treating wind-cold, so many households plant it. There is also Hu Bohe (Hu Mint), which is similar but slightly less sweet in taste. It grows in Jiangsu and Zhejiang regions, where people often drink it as tea, wishing to call it Xinluo Mint. Near Bianjing and Luoyang, some monasteries plant one or two bushes; these are the Lianqian Cao (Coin Grass) mentioned in *Tianbao Danfang*. There is also Shi Bohe (Rock Mint), growing among rocks in southern Jiangnan. Its leaves are tiny and turn purple in winter. No other therapeutic uses are recorded for it.
Gong states: Mint is planted by households and can be eaten raw. A creeping variety exists with similar therapeutic effects.
Li Shizhen states: Many people cultivate mint. In February, shoots emerge from perennial roots; division and replanting occur around Qingming Festival. The stem is square and reddish. Leaves grow oppositely; initially long with rounded tips, becoming pointed as they mature. People in Wu, Yue, Sichuan, and Huguang regions often use it as a tea substitute. Mint cultivated in Suzhou has thin stems and a fragrant aroma; those from Jiangxi are slightly thicker; those from Sichuan and Shu are even thicker. For medicinal purposes, the Suzhou variety is superior. *Wulei Xianggan Zhi* states: Whenever harvesting mint, one must water it with manure water the night before. Harvesting after rain ensures a cooling nature; otherwise, it lacks this property. Wild varieties have similar stem and leaf aromas.
Stems and Leaves
[Flavor and Toxicity] Pungent, Warm, Non-toxic.
Sun Simiao states: Bitter, Pungent, Neutral.
Li Gao (Hansu) states: Pungent, Cool.
Kou Zongshi states: The stem is drying in nature.
Zhen Quan states: Eating it pickled with Scallion Bulb (Xie) is suitable. Persons recovering from acute illness should not eat it, as it causes persistent deficiency sweating. Weak persons consuming it long-term may trigger Xiao Ke disease (Diabetes Mellitus/Wasting-thirst).
[Therapeutic Actions] Treats Ze Feng Shang Han (Wind-Cold pathogenic factors causing fever/sweating issues), expels foul qi causing abdominal distension and fullness, treats Huoluan (Cholera-like syndrome), aids digestion of retained food, directs Qi downward. Decocted and taken orally, it induces sweating and relieves severe fatigue. It can also be eaten raw (*Tang Bencao*). Eaten as vegetables long-term, it tonifies Kidney Qi, wards off evil toxins, removes labor-induced Qi deficiency, and makes breath fragrant. Decoction washes Qichuang (itchy skin lesions caused by lacquer poisoning) (Sun Simiao). Opens and benefits joints, induces sweating to vent toxins, resolves stagnant Qi, invigorates blood, and stops dysentery (Zhen Quan). Treats Yin-Yang Du (Toxic Heat), Shanghan headache; suitable for consumption in all four seasons (Chen Shiliang). Treats stroke-induced aphasia and phlegm expectoration (*Rihua Bencao*). Primarily treats Shangfeng Tou Naofeng (Wind-Cold affecting head and brain), unblocks Guan Ge (obstruction syndromes), and treats pediatric Wind-Phlegm; it is a key herb (Su Song). Crushed juice taken orally removes Wind-Heat from the Heart (Meng Shen). Clears the head and eyes, dispels Wind-Heat (Li Gao). Benefits diseases of the throat, mouth, and teeth; treats Luo Li (Scrofula), sores, tinea, and wind-induced urticaria. Juice held in the mouth removes tongue coating and slurred speech. Inserting leaves into the nose...
[Invention and Analysis] Li Gao (Hansu) states: Mint is Pungent and Cool. Its flavor and Qi are both light, ascending and floating, belonging to Yang. Therefore, it can remove Wind-Heat from the high peaks (head) and skin.
Chen Shiliang states: Mint can guide various herbs into the Ying and Wei (Nutritive and Defensive) levels, thus dispersing Wind-Cold.
Kou Zongshi states: For pediatric convulsions, mania, and high fever, this herb is needed to guide medication. It is also used to treat Gu Zheng Re Lao (Bone-steaming consumptive fever); its juice is decocted with other herbs to make a paste. Cats become intoxicated after eating mint due to mutual attraction of substances.
Wang Haogu states: Mint is a herb for the Qi level of the Hand and Foot Jueyin meridians. It can search out Liver Qi and primarily treats shoulder and back pain caused by excess Lung Qi, as well as sweating due to Wind-Cold.
Li Shizhen states: Mint enters the Hand Taiyin Lung Meridian and Foot Jueyin Liver Meridian. Pungency allows dispersion, and coolness allows clearing and benefiting. It specializes in dissipating Wind and clearing Heat. Therefore, it is a key herb for headaches, cephalalgia due to wind, eye disorders, throat and dental diseases, pediatric convulsive fever, scrofula, sores, and tinea. Dai Yuanli treated cat bites by applying mint juice, which was effective, likely utilizing the principle of mutual inhibition.
Lu Nongshi states: Mint is the "wine" of cats. Dog is the "wine" of tigers. Mulberry fruit is the "wine" of doves. [Missing Herb Name] is the "wine" of fish. Zan Yin's *Shiyi Xinjing*...
[Attached Prescriptions] Two old, eight new.
Clear Upper Phlegm: Benefits the throat and diaphragm, treats Wind-Heat. Use Mint powder, refined honey, and form pills the size of a Chinese quince seed (Erythrina coromandeliana seed). Hold one pill in the mouth each time. Mixing with white sugar is also acceptable. (*Jianbian Danfang*)
Wind-Damp Itching: Use equal parts of large Mint and Cicada Slough (Chantui). Grind into powder. Take one qian with warm wine each time. (*Yonglei Qianfang*)
Tongue Coating and Slurred Speech: Apply natural Mint juice mixed with white honey and ginger juice. (*Yixue Jicheng*)
Red and Rotting Eyelids: Soak Mint in ginger juice overnight, dry, and grind into powder. Use one qian, brew with boiling water, and wash. (*Muming Jingyan Fang*)
Scrofula Nodes, broken or unbroken: Use two jin of fresh Mint (extract juice), one stick of Soap Pod (Gleditsia sinensis) (soak in water, peel, extract juice). Simmer together in a silver or earthenware vessel to make a paste. Add half liang of Forsythia Powder (Lianqiao), one liang each of Green Citrus Peel (Qingpi), Tangerine Peel (Chenpi), Black Morning Glory Seed (Hei Qianniu - half raw, half stir-fried), and one and a half liang of Soap Pod Kernel. Pound and mix to form pills the size of mustard seeds. Take thirty pills each time, washed down with Forsythia decoction. (*Jisheng Fang*)
Persistent Epistaxis: Drip Mint juice. Alternatively, boil dried Mint in water, wrap in cotton, and insert into the nose. (Xu Xueshi *Benshi Fang*)
Bloody Dysentery Not Stopping: Decoct Mint leaves and take regularly. (*Puji Fang*)
Water Entering Ear: Drip Mint juice for immediate effect. (*Jingyan Fang*)
Bee or Wasp Sting: Apply Mint leaves. (*Waitai Miyao*)
Fire-Toxin Sores: In winter, exposure to fire causes internal heat, leading to sores on the thighs with oozing fluid. Frequently apply Mint decoction juice for immediate healing. (Zhang Gao *Yishuo*)