Mint Quality Improvement and Pest and Disease Control Methods

    When you mention mint, a cool breeze sweeps through your mind. Mint has a wide range of uses in daily life, holds high medicinal value, and can also be used as a side dish. It is cultivated in large quantities in some areas of our country. Today, Cherry Sister shares some methods for improving mint quality and pest and disease control. Friends interested in mint cultivation, take a look!  

    Mint prefers a sunny, warm and humid environment, with a frost-free period preferably of more than 200 days. It is not demanding about soil and can be planted in any soil except heavily alkaline land, heavy clay land and sandy land, but fertile loam and sandy loam are best. Sunlight plays an important role in increasing the content of menthol and mint oil, especially during the budding and flowering stage when sufficient sunlight is needed, so mint should not be planted in shady places.  

    1. Mint rhizome propagation:Cultivate seed roots in late April or late August. In the field, select robust plants free of pests and diseases as mother plants, plant them at a spacing of 16-20 x 8-10 cm, and after harvesting the above-ground stems and leaves in early winter, leave the rhizomes in place as seed plants;  

   2. Mint land preparation:It is not demanding about soil and can be cultivated in any soil except overly acidic or overly alkaline soil. Choose scattered plots with convenient drainage and irrigation, fertile soil and sufficient light, such as pond edges, house edges, flat terrain and canal edges. Prepare the land, deep plow, rake fine, and shallow hoe once. Turn the fertilizer into the soil, break up the soil, rake level and make beds 180-200 cm wide;  

  3. Mint field management:Cultivate and weed. Do one cultivation and weeding in March-April, and shallow cultivation 2-3 times before the rows close. Topdress at each cultivation and weeding and when harvesting mint stems. Generally apply 2500 kg of human and animal manure and 160 kg of sulfur-phosphorus fertilizer per mu. The formula of the sulfur-phosphorus fertilizer is composed of the following raw materials by weight percentage: ammonium sulfate 20%, phosphate rock powder 50%, quercetin powder 2%, sodium tripolyphosphate 2%, camellia oil meal 3%, chlorothalonil 0.4%, oats 3%, and the remainder is plant ash; mix quercetin powder and camellia oil meal and add them to 15 times the amount of water, heat to boiling, add oats, stir and cool to 50°C, add sodium tripolyphosphate and stir evenly, add ammonium sulfate, phosphate rock powder, camellia oil meal and chlorothalonil, and stir until the water is dried for the ammonium sulfate; apply less fertilizer at the seedling stage and later stage, and more fertilizer when there are many branches;  

     4. Mint pest and disease control: The main pest of mint is the geometrid caterpillar, with damage periods around mid-June and late August. You can first spray once with 80% dichlorvos at 1000 times dilution, then spray 15 kg of plant medicinal liquid per mu. The formula of this plant medicinal liquid is composed of the following raw materials by weight percentage: neem 30%, ginkgo leaves 30%, stemona 30%, camphor tree bark 20%, and the remainder is calcium chloride; mix neem, ginkgo leaves, stemona and camphor tree bark, add water and boil, filter out the residue, add calcium chloride, stir evenly to obtain the medicinal liquid;  

    5. Mint harvesting:When used as a vegetable, generally harvest the tender stem tips, about 10 cm long. When used for oil extraction, generally harvest two crops a year, the first in early July and the second in late September, cutting the above-ground parts and drying them in the shade.  

   The above are some methods shared today by Cherry Sister for improving mint quality and pest and disease control. I hope they are helpful to friends in need. To learn more planting techniques, welcome to follow Huinong Academy!

How to manage mint during the first cutting period? Cultivation and weeding, fertilizer and water management, pest and disease control

How to manage mint during the first cutting period of cultivation? During the first cutting period of mint, management personnel need to do a good job in checking seedlings and replanting, cultivation and weeding, and timely topdressing. Next, the editor will specifically explain the management points for the first cutting period of mint cultivation, hoping to be helpful to everyone.

[Management Points for the First Cutting Period of Mint]

1. Check seedlings and replant

After the mint has basically full seedlings, check the seedlings in time, and replant at spots and patches where seedlings are missing or sparse.

2. Cultivation and weeding

a. Carry out cultivation and weeding between mint rows and manual weeding between plants, thereby preserving soil moisture, increasing environmental temperature and soil temperature, eliminating weeds, and promoting mint seedling growth;

b. Before the mint rows close, carry out cultivation and weeding two or three times;

c. Before harvesting, pull out all weeds in the field to prevent the odor of other weeds from affecting the quality of mint oil.

3. Timely topdressing

When the seedlings are 10-15 cm tall, open furrows and topdress, applying 10 kg of urea per mu. After the rows close, spray 5 ml of Shibaobao + 150 g of potassium dihydrogen phosphate + 150 g of urea per mu twice.

a. When the seedlings are 10-15 cm tall, open furrows and topdress. Apply 10 kg of urea per mu;

b. After the rows close, spray 5 ml of Shibao + 150 g of potassium dihydrogen phosphate + 150 g of urea per mu, for a total of two sprays.

4. Scientific watering

Mint needs more water in the early and middle stages, especially in the early growth stage when the root system has not yet formed and water demand is high. Generally water once about every 15 days, and water 4-5 times from emergence to harvest. After the rows close, water lightly and appropriately to avoid rampant stem and leaf growth and lodging, which can cause lower leaves to fall off and reduce yield. Stop watering 20-25 days before harvest. At harvest time, the ground should preferably be "whitish."

a. In the early and middle stages and before the root system is formed, water demand is high, so water once every half month;

b. From emergence to harvest, water four or five times;

c. After the rows close, water less appropriately to avoid rampant stem and leaf growth, which can cause plant lodging and lower leaf drop, reducing yield;

d. Stop watering 20-25 days before harvest;

e. At harvest time, the ground should preferably be "whitish."

5. Disease control

① Black shank

a. Black shank occurs at the seedling stage;

b. The stem base shrinks, sinks and turns black, and in severe cases rots; the plant lodges and withers;

c. In the early stage of the disease, use 70% chlorothalonil or 40% carbendazim 100-150 g per mu, mix with water and spray.

② Mint rust

a. Often occurs from May to July;

b. During the disease period, use 25% triadimefon 1000-1500 times solution for leaf spray control.

③ Leaf spot

a. Often occurs from May to October;

b. In the early stage of the disease, spray 65% zineb 500 times solution once a week.

6. Pest control

a. Often occurs around mid-June and late August;

b. When the population density of the "geometrid caterpillar" reaches 10 insects/m2;

c. Use 15-20 ml of deltamethrin per mu, spray once or twice for control, or use 80% dichlorvos at 1000 times dilution for spraying control.

7. Timely harvesting

a. In early July, when 10-30% of the flower buds on the main stem of mint are in full bloom, harvesting can begin;

b. When harvesting, cut the upper stems and leaves evenly at ground level, and immediately spread the cut mint out to dry. Do not pile it up, to avoid fermentation;

c. Harvesting too early reduces the oil extraction rate, while harvesting too late increases the furan content in mint, affecting oil quality;

d. Tie the wilted mint into bundles in time for distillation and oil extraction.

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Mint

Mint, commonly known locally as "yindancao," is the dried whole herb of the mint plant "Mentha" and other plants of the same genus in the Lamiaceae family. It mostly grows by mountain wetlands and rivers, with rhizomes creeping underground. The whole plant has a fresh aromatic scent. The leaves are opposite, the flowers are small and light purple, labiate, and after flowering they form small dark purple-brown nutlets. Mint is one of the commonly used traditional Chinese medicines. It is a pungent, cool diaphoretic and antipyretic medicine, used to treat influenza, headache, red eyes, fever, sore throat, swollen and painful gums, and other conditions. External use can treat neuralgia, skin itching, rashes and eczema, etc. Mint picked from bright greenhouses is also a fresh dish on the Spring Festival table. It is refreshing and tasty. It is commonly used as a substitute for tea, clearing the heart and brightening the eyes. Legend says the original name of mint comes from Greek mythology.

Pinyin: bòhe (neutral tone), not bòhé

English name: mint

Scientific name (traditional Chinese medicine): HerbaMenthaeHaplocalycis

Scientific name: MenthacanadensisL.

English names: Peppermint, mint

Mint oil supplier: Shanghai Huyuan Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.

Menthol supplier: Shanghai Huyuan Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.

Chinese aliases: wild mint (various places), yexixiang, southern mint (Shandong), water mint (Yunnan), yuxiangcai (Sichuan), gourouxiang (Guizhou), shuiyimu, jieguacao (Kunming, Yunnan), tumint, rendancao, wild rendancao, jianzhongxiao (Jiangsu), sumint, fanhecai, and in the area of Shitang Town, Quanzhou, Guangxi, it is also called "wuxiang," etc.

Mint Cultivation and Propagation Methods

Alias sumint. Mint prefers a warm, humid environment with sufficient sunlight and abundant rainfall. The rhizome can sprout and emerge at 5-6°C, and the most suitable growth temperature for the plant is 20-30°C. It has strong cold resistance. Cultivation management: The soil for cultivating mint is best a loose, fertile, well-drained sandy soil. Moisture has a relatively large impact on the growth and development of mint, and the plant requires more water in the early and middle growth stages. The budding and flowering stage requires sunny and dry weather and less water. It is Mentha haplocalys Briq of the genus Mentha in the Lamiaceae family, and the whole herb is used as medicine. Pungent, cool, disperses wind-heat, clears the head and eyes. It mainly treats wind-heat common cold, headache, sore throat, absence of sweating, wind-fire red eyes, rubella, skin itching, and other conditions. Mint is an aromatic compound, and mint oil and menthol are widely used in medicine and are also major raw materials for the daily necessities and food industries. Mint has a long history of cultivation, is a commonly used clinical medicine, and is cultivated in many places across the country.

Plant Characteristics

Mint is a perennial herb in the Lamiaceae family, 30-100 cm tall, with horizontal creeping rhizomes, and the lower several nodes of the stem have slender roots. The stem is upright, sharply four-angled, with four grooves, much branched, sometimes single, the upper part covered with backward-pointing fine pubescence, and the lower part with fine pubescence only along the angles. Leaves opposite, oblong-lanceolate to oblong, 3-5 cm long, 2-3 cm wide, apex acute or sharply acute, base cuneate to nearly rounded, margin above the base sparsely bearing large tooth-like serrations, both surfaces often densely covered with fine pubescence along the veins and nearly hairless elsewhere; petiole 0.2-1.2 cm long, covered with fine pubescence. Verticillasters axillary, distant, the stem pairs taller than the verticillasters, bracts same shape as stem leaves; calyx tubular-campanulate, about 0.25 cm long, straight, externally covered with fine pubescence and glandular dots, calyx teeth 5, triangular-subulate, obviously long acuminate; corolla light purple, externally covered with fine pubescence, internally covered with fine pubescence below the throat, corolla limb 4-lobed, the upper lobe apex 2-lobed, larger, the other 3 lobes nearly equal; stamens 4, the anterior pair slightly longer, usually slightly exserted beyond the corolla tube; style usually slightly exserted beyond the corolla tube, stigma nearly equally 2-lobed. Nutlets ovoid, yellowish brown.

Growth Characteristics

Mint has strong adaptability and can grow in areas below 2100 m altitude with sufficient sunlight, and is cultivated in areas at 300-1000 m altitude. With insufficient light and continuous rainy days, the content of mint oil and menthol is low. It prefers a mild and humid environment; the above-ground part can tolerate temperatures above 30°C, and at -20°C the above-ground part withers. The suitable growth temperature is 20-30°C. The roots are relatively cold-resistant and can still overwinter at -30°C. The early and middle growth stages require abundant rainfall, while the budding and flowering stages require sufficient sunlight. Dry weather and long sunshine hours contribute to high accumulation of mint oil and menthol.

Mint roots go 30 cm deep into the ground, mostly concentrated in the soil layer around 15 cm, and the underground rhizomes are distributed relatively shallowly, all concentrated in the soil layer around 10 cm. Mint flowers from late July to early August, 10-15 days from budding to flowering, and 20 days from flowering to seed maturity. After the first cutting, mint can still flower after October. It is not demanding about soil and can generally grow, but pH 5.5-6.5 is suitable. Sandy loam, loam and humus soil can all be used for cultivation.

Cultivation Techniques

1. Site selection and land preparation

It is not demanding about soil and can be cultivated in any soil except overly acidic or overly alkaline soil. Choose scattered plots with drainage and irrigation conditions and sufficient light, such as pond edges, house edges and canal edges, preferably with fertile soil and flat terrain. Sandy soil, land with insufficient light, and land prone to drought and water accumulation are not suitable for planting. Land that has been planted with mint must rest for about 3 years before it can be planted again. This is because residual underground roots affect yield. Prepare the land, deep plow, apply decomposed compost, farmyard manure, superphosphate, bone meal, etc. as base fertilizer, 37500-45000 kg per hectare, rake fine, shallow hoe once, turn the fertilizer into the soil, break up the soil, rake level and make beds 200 cm wide.

2. Propagation methods

There are many cultivated varieties of mint, including purple-stem purple-vein mint, green-stem round-leaf mint, small-leaf yellow variety, red-leaf choutou, white-leaf choutou, large-leaf breeding, 409 mint, 687 mint, and 119 mint. In production, green-stem round-leaf mint (green mint) and purple-stem purple-vein mint (purple mint) are often used. Both have oil contents above 80%, among which purple mint is 5% higher than green mint. The drought resistance of the former is weak and that of the latter is strong. The aroma of purple mint is superior, while green mint is inferior. For cultivation, it is best to choose purple mint.

The propagation methods of mint are mainly rhizome propagation and division propagation. When seed buds are insufficient, cuttings propagation and seed propagation can be used. The latter two are used in breeding and are not used in production.

Planting Methods

Mint grows by river ditches or in moist mountain wild areas, and now is mostly planted on a large scale by medicinal herb farmers. Home potted mint is also extremely simple. From March to April, dig up thick, white rhizomes, cut them into root segments about 8 cm long, and bury them in potting soil; new plants can grow in about 20 days. You can also take tender stem tips in May-June and root them under shade. Mint is a perennial plant with a developed root system. When repotting and changing soil each spring, a large number of plants can be separated out. Usually keep the potting soil slightly moist. Fertilization is mainly nitrogen fertilizer, supplemented by phosphorus and potassium, applying thin fertilizer frequently. Medicinal herbs are often harvested twice during the growing period. The first time (first cutting) is 5-6 days before Minor Heat, when the leaves are lush and the flowers have not yet opened, cutting the above-ground parts; the second time is between Autumn Equinox and Cold Dew, when the flowers are in full bloom and the leaves have not yet fallen. For medicinal use, the second harvest is best. The stems and leaves from the two harvests can be washed, cut into sections, dried in the sun, and stored in earthenware jars to prevent loss of aroma or mildew and insect damage, for medicinal use throughout the year.

Except for a few that are annual plants, most are aromatic perennial plants. The main producing area is the United States, and the best mint comes from the United Kingdom. The stem is about 90 cm long, the fuzzy leaves are serrated, and the flowers are terminal, bearing purple, white and pink flower spikes. Mint likes to grow in humid climates.

There are many varieties of mint, but no matter which one, their common characteristics are strong adaptability, cold resistance and ease of planting, making them very suitable for beginners to cultivate. Mint likes bright but not direct sunlight and also needs abundant moisture. Therefore, it is best to water before the soil is completely dry. Mint grows extremely fast and can be picked and eaten at any time; making tea or using it in dishes are both good choices. To quote herb researcher You Cixiong, do not be afraid to pick herbs. Some herbaceous aromatic plants become more lush the more they are picked, and mint is one of them.

Mint is extremely suitable as an introductory plant for herb planting. Most mint can be propagated by division or cuttings, and in the growing season (spring to summer is best), using stems cut into sections makes rooting very easy.

Mint prefers a warm, humid environment with sufficient sunlight and abundant rainfall. The rhizome can sprout and emerge at 5-6°C, and the most suitable growth temperature for the plant is 20-30°C. It has strong cold resistance.

The soil for cultivating mint is best a loose, fertile, well-drained sandy soil.

Moisture has a relatively large impact on the growth and development of mint, and the plant requires more water in the early and middle growth stages.

The budding and flowering stage requires sunny and dry weather and less water.

Propagation Techniques and Harvesting Methods

(1) Seedling propagation: Mint can be propagated by seeds, but in production, asexual propagation methods such as rhizome propagation, cutting propagation and division propagation are mostly used. Among them, the division propagation method is simple and easy and widely used. The method is: select robust mother plants free of pests and diseases, make their stolons closely contact the ground, water and topdress twice, applying 10-15 kg of urea per mu. (2) Land preparation and planting: Before planting, apply 2000-2500 kg of decomposed organic fertilizer per mu as base fertilizer, deep plow the land, rake level and fine, open furrows and make beds, with the bed width including furrows 1.5 m. When planting, plant at a row spacing of 50 cm x 35 cm, with 1 plant per hole.

(3) Field management: After planting, water thoroughly to keep the soil moist and promote the occurrence and survival of new roots. After the seedlings recover, cultivate and weed in time. Topdress after each picking to promote the occurrence of new branches and shoots. Generally apply 1500 kg per mu of dilute human manure liquid or urea liquid.

(4) Harvesting: In areas with suitable conditions, mint can be planted once and harvested continuously for 2-3 years. Generally, when the main stem is about 20 cm tall, tender stems and leaves can begin to be harvested for food. In southern regions, it can be picked all year round, with the highest yield and best quality from April to August when the climate is suitable, and the harvest interval is 15-20 days; in northern regions, protected cultivation in winter can also achieve year-round supply.

Pest and Disease Control

The main pests and diseases of mint include leaf spot, rust and silver Y moth, etc. For leaf spot, promptly remove diseased leaves and take them out of the field for deep burial or burning to reduce infection sources, spray with 120 times Bordeaux mixture, or spray leaves with 65% zineb 500 times solution. For rust, in the early stage of the disease, spray with 15% triadimefon wettable powder 1000 times solution or 40% carbendazim suspension concentrate 800 times solution. For silver Y moth, spray with 90% trichlorfon 1000 times solution or 2.5% deltamethrin, or 20% fenvalerate 1500 times solution. Key points for mint pest and disease control

The control points should note the following:

1. Propagation: Select robust mother plants free of pests and diseases, make their stolons closely contact the ground, and after the stem nodes produce adventitious roots, cut open each node; each divided plant is one seedling. Spray the seedling surface with Xin Gao Zhi Mo to prevent pathogen infection, improve resistance to natural disasters, and protect the seedlings so they grow robustly.

2. Transplanting: After transplanting the seedlings, spray the seedling surface with Xin Gao Zhi Mo to effectively ensure that above-ground moisture does not evaporate and seedling moisture does not transpire, and to isolate pests and diseases.

3. Management: After planting, water thoroughly to keep the soil moist and promote the occurrence and survival of new roots. After the seedlings recover, cultivate and weed in time, and spray vegetable stem-strengthening agent at the appropriate time so that the plant stems are thick and strong, the leaves are thick and plump, the leaf color is fresh and tender, and the plant is lush, with a strong natural taste. At the same time, it can improve disaster resistance, reduce the amount of pesticides and chemical fertilizers, and lower residual toxicity.

4. Control: Use targeted medicines for various pests and diseases, and spray Xin Gao Zhi Mo to enhance the control effect.

Field Management

(1) Watering and fertilizing: Mint grows rapidly, and the number of harvests per year varies by region. In order to accelerate mint growth and increase mint yield, sufficient fertilizer must be applied. In Sichuan, base fertilizer is generally mainly barnyard manure, cake fertilizer and bone meal. In addition to base fertilizer, topdressing still needs to be carried out on time. After mint emerges, loosen the soil and weed frequently to keep the field neat. Also water frequently but lightly, and water whenever there is drought, keeping the soil moist to promote stem and leaf growth. When the seedlings are 15 cm tall and after each harvest, topdress in time, mainly with nitrogen fertilizer (15 kg urea per mu) or 1500 kg human manure per mu plus 8 kg ammonium sulfate and 50 kg water, applied in furrows beside the seedlings. Supplement with phosphorus and potassium fertilizer (10 kg diammonium phosphate). Water after application to promote rapid stem and leaf growth.

(2) Pest and disease control

1) Rust: The pathogen is a poly-spore fungus among fungi and damages the leaves. In the early stage of the disease, orange-yellow powdery summer spore masses appear on the underside of the leaves, and later dark brown powdery winter spore masses are produced. In severe cases, the leaves wither and fall off. The disease is severe in May during the rainy and high-temperature season.

Control method: Drain accumulated water from the field in time to reduce soil moisture; in the early stage of the disease, spray 25% triadimefon 1000 times solution, 2-3 times continuously.

2) White star disease: Also known as leaf spot. It is caused by Septoria fungi among fungi and damages the leaves. It occurs from May to October. At the beginning of the disease, nearly circular dark green lesions appear on both sides of the leaves, then continuously expand and become dark brown, later fading to grayish white and appearing white-star-like, with small black dots on them, causing the leaves to wither and fall off.

Control method: In the early stage of the disease, spray 25% carbendazim 1000 times solution, using it at most 2 times per crop season, and the interval between the last application and harvest should be no less than 5 days; or use 1:1:150 Bordeaux mixture alternately, which gives a better effect.

Mint Dietary Therapy Methods

Mint has both medicinal and edible functions. The main edible parts are the stems and leaves, and it can also be juiced and taken. In terms of food use, mint can be used as a seasoning, as a spice, and can also be paired with alcohol or brewed as tea.

1. Mint porridge: 30 g fresh mint or 15 g dried product, 1 L clear water, decoct over medium heat to about 0.5 L, cool and remove the mint, keeping the liquid. Cook 150 g japonica rice into porridge, and when the porridge is almost done, add the mint liquid and a little rock sugar, bring to a boil and it is ready.

Effects: Refreshes the spirit, disperses wind and reduces heat, increases appetite, and helps digestion.

2. Mint tofu: 2 blocks of tofu, 50 g fresh mint, 3 fresh scallions, add 2 bowls of water and simmer until the water is reduced by half, then eat while hot.

Effects: Can treat cold with nasal congestion, sneezing, runny nose, and other symptoms.

3. Mint chicken shreds: 150 g chicken breast, cut into fine shreds, mix with egg white, starch and refined salt and set aside. Wash 150 g mint stems and cut into the same segments. Heat oil in a wok to 50% hot, pour in the mixed chicken shreds and pass through the oil. In another wok, add base oil, add chopped scallion and ginger, add cooking wine, mint stems, chicken shreds, salt and monosodium glutamate and stir-fry briefly, then drizzle with Sichuan pepper oil and it is ready.

Effects: Reduces internal heat and relieves summer heat.

4. Mint cake: Take 500 g glutinous rice and 500 g mung beans, 15 g mint, 25 g white sugar, and a little osmanthus. First cook the mung beans until very soft, then add white sugar, osmanthus and chopped mint leaves to make the filling and set aside. Steam the glutinous rice until cooked, put it in a box to cool, then wrap the red bean paste filling with the glutinous rice and press flat with a wooden mallet, and it is ready.

Effects: Cooling, disperses wind and reduces heat, clears the throat and benefits the voice.

5. Fresh mint crucian carp soup: 1 live crucian carp, cleaned and cut open, cooked in water, add 1 scallion white, 1 slice ginger, 20 g fresh mint, and when the water boils, add seasonings, oil and salt, and eat both soup and meat. Eat once a day for 3-5 consecutive days.

Effects: Can treat chronic cough in children.

6. Mint soup: Clean the mint leaves, chop them, blanch them with boiling water, and add a little salt and sesame oil.

Effects: Detoxifies and reduces internal heat.

7. Mint herbal tea: Take a small amount of fresh mint leaves, wash them clean, steep in boiling water, add an appropriate amount of white granulated sugar, and let cool naturally. Drink 3 to 5 cups a day; after drinking, the whole body feels comfortable and energy is greatly increased.

8. Mint ice: Bring 4 bowls of clean water to a boil in a pot, add mint and boil for 5 minutes, then let cool. Put the mint water into the refrigerator and freeze into ice cubes. When you have a sore throat or dry mouth, take an ice cube and chew it in your mouth; this can achieve a cooling and throat-soothing effect.

9. Mint wine: Take 10 grams of mint oil, 50 milliliters each of rice wine and yellow wine, mix the mint oil with the rice wine and yellow wine, and drink on an empty stomach in the morning and evening.

10. Mint tea: Brew tea with mint leaves and drink it; the brewing method is the same as for ordinary tea leaves. Drinking it gives a cooling sensation and it is a good medicine for clearing heat and promoting urination.

Dietary therapy value

The stems and leaves of mint, a herbaceous plant in the Lamiaceae family. Produced in Jiangsu and other places across the north and south. The harvest period varies by place of origin, and it can be harvested 2 to 3 times a year. Used fresh, or dried in the shade and cut into sections for use.

[Reference]: Contains volatile oil, mainly menthol, menthone, etc.

[Indications and contraindications]:

Indications: Suitable for those with exogenous wind-heat, headache and red eyes, and sore swollen throat; suitable for those with mouth sores and bad breath, swollen and painful gums, and wind-heat itching.

Contraindications: Those with a constitution of yin deficiency and blood dryness, or those with excessive sweating and exterior deficiency should avoid eating it; those with spleen-stomach deficiency cold and diarrhea with loose stools must absolutely not eat it much or for a long time

1. Those with yin deficiency and blood dryness, hyperactivity of liver yang, or exterior deficiency with excessive sweating should not take it.

2. Toxic side effects: Menthol and mint oil have a strong paralytic effect on mammals; if taken in excess, it can lead to respiratory paralysis and death.

[Uses]: Used for wind-heat common cold or the early stage of warm disease, with fever and dizziness, slight aversion to wind and cold; exogenous wind-heat, headache and red eyes, sore swollen throat; wind rash and itching, urticaria; liver qi stagnation, chest tightness and rib pain, or exposure to summerheat dampness, abdominal distension and pain, vomiting and diarrhea.

[Usage]: 3 to 10 grams per day. Decoct in soup, brew as tea, grind into powder, add to candies, etc.

[Supplementary formulas]:

1. Mint and honeysuckle tea: 10 grams of mint, 15 grams of honeysuckle. Soak in boiling water and drink as tea.

This formula is used for wind-heat common cold, fever with aversion to wind, dizziness, and sore throat.

2. Mint and chrysanthemum tea: 6 grams of mint, 10 grams of chrysanthemum, 3 grams of tea leaves. Soak in boiling water and drink as tea.

This formula is used for wind-heat common cold, unclear head and eyes, and dizziness.

Medicinal selected formulas

① To clear the upper body and resolve phlegm, benefit the throat and diaphragm, and treat wind-heat: Make mint powder into honey pills the size of a Gordon euryale seed, and hold one pill in the mouth each time. It can also be mixed with white granulated sugar. (From *Jianbian Danfang*)

② To treat red and ulcerated eyelid margins: Soak mint in ginger juice overnight, dry it in the sun and grind into powder. Use 5 grams each time, soak in boiling water and wash the affected area. (From *Mingmu Jingyan Fang*)

③ To treat scrofula forming into lumps, painful, perforating and ulcerating, with continuous pus and fluid, regardless of distance: Take a bundle of mint as large as a bowl (dried in the shade), and ten pieces of Chinese honeylocust (one chi and two cun long, not worm-eaten, with the black skin removed, coated with vinegar, and roasted until scorched yellow). Pound them broken, soak in one hu of wine for three nights, take them out and dry in the sun, then soak again for three nights; repeat until the wine is used up, then roast dry, pound and sift into a powder, mix with cooked rice to form pills the size of parasol tree seeds. Before meals each time, take twenty pills with astragalus decoction; children take half the dose. (Mint Pills from *Shenghui Fang*)

④ To treat wind-qi itching: Take large mint and cicada slough in equal parts, grind into powder, and take one qian each time mixed with warm wine. (From *Yonglei Qianfang*)

⑤ To treat bloody dysentery: Decoct mint leaves in water and take alone. (From *Puji Fang*)

⑥ To treat unstoppable nosebleed: Drop mint juice into the nose. Or boil dried mint in water, wrap it in cotton, and plug the nose. (From *Benshi Fang*)

⑦ To treat bee and scorpion stings: Apply mint externally. (Meng Shen, *Bixiao Fang*)

⑧ To treat fire-induced sores like moxibustion burns, with fire toxin entering inward, sores on both thighs, and continuous oozing fluid: Frequently apply mint decoction. (From *Yishuo*)

⑨ To treat ear pain: Squeeze fresh mint for juice and drip it in. (From *Mindong Bencao*)

⑩ To treat dry and wet scabies, both arising from damp-heat, with unbearable itching all over the body: 50 grams of mint, 50 grams of Stemona root, 50 grams of Kochia fruit. Decoct in water and wash once or twice a day. (From *Jiren Jiyan Fang*)

⑪ To treat skin rash that does not fully emerge and itching: 10 grams of mint leaves, 10 grams of schizonepeta, 10 grams of saposhnikovia root, 6 grams of cicada slough. Decoct in water and take. (From *Sichuan Zhongyao Zhi* 1980)

⑫ To treat a back carbuncle that at first feels small, then after five or seven days becomes red, hot, swollen and raised: 50 grams of frankincense, 200 grams of green mint. Grind the above two ingredients together evenly and apply thickly to the affected area. Cover it with a piece of green raw silk cut to shape. When it feels dry, moisten it again with fresh water. Keep it constantly moist; after three to five applications, the heat toxin will naturally disappear. (Frankincense Ointment from *Guiyi Fang*)

Small proven formulas

1. To treat bee sting swelling: Apply fresh mint leaves to the affected area, and it takes effect immediately.

2. To resolve phlegm and benefit the throat: Twist dried mint leaves into powder, mix with white granulated sugar, and make honey pills the size of a Gordon euryale seed. Take three times a day, one pill each time.

3. To treat wind-heat common cold: 10 grams each of mint, honeysuckle, and forsythia, and 3 grams of schizonepeta. Decoct in water and take.

4. To treat the early stage of measles: 10 grams each of mint and burdock seed, 3 grams of cicada slough, and 5 grams of schizonepeta. Decoct in water and take.

5. To treat sore swollen throat: 3 grams each of mint, raw licorice, and platycodon root, 9 grams of stiff silkworm [8], and 5 grams of schizonepeta. Decoct in water and take.