It grows in trench side、road side and moutains wetland,the altitude of 3500 metres.

Theleave contains L-menthol, L- menthone, isomenthone, pulegone, decylacetate, menthyl acetate, methyl benzoate, α-pinene,β-pinene, β-thujene, 3-pentanol, 2-hexanol, 3-octanol, d-myrcene, limonene, cineole,α-terpineol;

Flavonoid: isoraifolin,luteolin-7-glucoside, methoside;

organic acid: rosmarinic acid, caffeic acid;

amino acids: asparticacid, glutamic acid, serine, glycine, threonine, alanine, asparagines, valine, leucine,isoleucine, phenylalanine, methionine, lysine^[1];

It also contains 1-（3,4-dihydroxyphenyl）-6,7-dihydroxy-1,2-dihydronaphthalene-2,3-dicarboxylicacid, 1-（3,4-dihydroxyphenyl）-3-[2-（3,4-dihydroxyphenyl）-1-carboxy]ethoxycarbonyl-6,7-dihydroxy-1,2-dihydronaphthalene-2-carboxylicacid, 7,8-dihydroxy-2-（3,4-dihydroxyphenyl）-1,2-dihydronaphthalene-1,3-dicarboxylic acid,1-[2-（3,4-dihydroxyphenyl）-1-carboxy]ethoxycarbonyl-2-（3,4-dihydroxyphenyl）-7,8-dihydroxy-1,2-dihydronaphthalene-3-carboxylic acid, 3-[2-（3,4-dihydroxyphenyl）-1-carboxy]ethoxycarbonyl-2-（3,4-dihydroxyphenyl）-7,8-dihydroxy-1,2-dihydronaphthalene-1-carboxylicacid, 1,3-dis-[2-（3,4-dihydroxyphenyl）-1-carboxy]ethoxycarbonyl-2-（3,4-dihydroxyphenyl）-7,8-dihydroxy-1,2-dihydronaphthalene, 1-[2-（3,4-（dihydroxyphenyl）-1-methoxycarbonyl]ethoxycarbonyl-2-（3,4-dihydroxyphenyl）-3-[2-（3,4-dihydroxyphenyl）-1-carboxy]ethoxycarbonyl-7,8-dihydroxy-1,2-dihydronaphthalene,1-[2-（3,4-dihydroxyphenyl）-1-carboxy]ethoxycarbonyl-2-（3,4-dihydroxyphenyl）-3-[2-（3,4-dihydroxyphenyl）-1-methoxycarbonyl]ethoxycarbonyl-7,8-dihydroxy-1,2-dihydronaphthalene,1,3-dis[2-（3,4-dihydroxyphenyl）-1-methoxycarbonyl]ethoxycarbonyl-2-（3,4-dihydroxyphenyl）-7,8-dihydroxy-1,2-dihydronaphthalene, d-8-acetoxycarvotanacetone^[1].

1. Effect on central nervous system: Oral administration of a small amount of mint can excite the central nervous, through the peripheral nerves to expand skin capillary, promote the secretion of sweat, increase the heat dissipation and had the effect of sweat and radiating [1]. Oral administration of a small amount of peppermint also can wilt, cool down and excite central nervous [2]. But intravenous injection of peppermint to frog abdominal lymph cavity or rabbit ears can inhibit central nervous [3]. Peppermint can inhibit central nervous. 50mg/kg can significantly extend the sleep period caused by sodium pentobarbital, fed with different dose can lower the temperature of mice and rat, but had no effect on conditioned reflex in rats [4]. Subcutaneous injection of 1g/kg peppermint extract, the inhibition rate on mice acetic acid writhing was 30%-60%, its active ingredient was menthol [5]. L-menthol also had strong analgesic effect. Intragastric administration of 100mg/kg, the inhibition rate on mice acetic acid writhing was 41.3%, its intensity was equal to the aminopyrine [6]. Subcutaneous injection of 1g/kg mint extract, the inhibition rate on mice acetic acid writhing was 30%-60% [5]. Intragastric administration of 100mg/kg L-menthol, the inhibition rate on mice acetic acid writhing was 41.3% [7].

2. Anti-early pregnancy and the effect on the uterus: Mint had the effect of anti-early pregnancy on mice [8]. Termination of the pregnancy may be due to uterine contraction strengthen or on the decidua of direct injury [10]. Peppermint also had the effect of termination of early pregnancy and anti-implantation in rabbits [11]. Further studies suggested that peppermint oil maybe the mechanism of the termination of early pregnancy and anti-implantation had nothing to do with the contraction of the uterus, but mild to strengthen the function of oxytocin, mainly related to damage the trophoblastic [12]. Mint hot water extracts can inhibit human cervical carcinoma JTC-26 strain in vitro experiment [13].

3. Anti-microbial: Mint water decoction can inhibit ECHO11 in vitro, if administered in the infection can delay the lesions appeared [14]. 10mg/mL mint decoction can inhibit the infection of 10-100 TCID50 HSV in primary neonatal rabbit kidney epithelial cell culture. Increasing the infective dose had no inhibitory effect but increased the mint concentration to 100mg/mL showed toxic effects on cells [15]. Mint water decoction had a strong antibacterial effect on Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus aureus, Proteus mirabilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacillus cereus, Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis and Streptococcus pneumoniae [16]. In addition, it can inhibit Anthrax bacillus, diphtheria bacillus, Streptococcus, B Streptococcus, Shigella flexneri, Salmonella typhi and human type Mycobacterium tuberculosis [8, 17]. And also, it had a strong inhibition effect on Candida albicans, Penicillium spp, Aspergillus, Small spore genus, Shell ball spp and a variety of fungal [8, 18-20]. In addition, peppermint oil can get rid of roundworms of dogs and cats. It had a good repellent effect of mosquitoes, midges and other insects and no stimulating effect on the skin and allergic reactions [21].

4. Anti-inflammatory and analgesic: Intraperitoneal injection of 250mg/kg peppermint extract, the inhibition rate on rat carrageenan vegetable gum foot swelling was 60-100%, the main active ingredients was menthol [5]. Using dihydroxy-1,2-dihydro-naphthalene dicarboxylic acid as nucleus, extracted from mint leaves, a variety of ingredients can inhibit inflammatory, 1-(3,4-bis-hydroxyphenyl)-3[2-(3,4-bis-hydroxyphenyl)-1-carboxy]Ethoxycarbonyl-6,7-dihydroxy-1,2-dihydronaphthalene-2​​-carboxylic acid had significant anti-inflammatory effect and the IC50 of inhibiting 3a-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase was 63.7 [22]. Other seven kinds of derivatives extracted from mint leaves also had anti-inflammatory effect, the IC50 of inhibiting 3a-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase were 63.7μg/mL, 30.0μg/mL, 30.8μg/mL, 6.lμg/mL, 13.1μg/mL, 39.2μg/mL and 45.1μg/mL [23].

5. Promote transdermal absorption: Using nude mice skin to make transdermal absorption experimental model, then added menthol into 5% acetaminophen liquid to increase menthol concentration to 2.5%. The results showed that menthol can significantly promote acetaminophen transdermal absorption, its role in aiding infiltration significantly increased 2 hours after the administration and its intensity continued to increase over time [22]. The inside of the forearm skin pale trial on volunteers showed that menthol significantly promoted the absorption of triamcinolone [23].

6. Local effect: Mint processed product reaction can make the cold sensation receptor of anti-skin mucosa to generate cold sleep reflection, cause vasoconstriction of the skin and mucous membranes. Peppermint oil had a stimulating effect on the skin and can cause a long period of congestion [1]. Topical peppermint oil can cause nerve paralysis and had the effect of cool, anti-inflammatory, analgesic and anti-itch [2]. As the main component of peppermint oil, menthol had a similar effect on the skin and also can stimulate the nerve endings cold sensation receptor. Felt cold at first, then felt minor thorn burning sense and reflectively caused skin and mucosal vasoconstriction and deep tissue vasodilator. Menthol had local anesthesia and local analgesic effect [3, 26, 27]. The skin irritation of menthone was stronger than menthol and its ethanol solution had the effect of embalming [8].

7. Effect on respiratory system: Let rabbit inhale 81mg/kg menthol steam can promote respiratory secretions and reduce the proportion of secretions. Inhaled 243mg/kg can reduce the excretion of mucus. Menthol can reduce the respiratory tract of frothy sputum, so that the increase in effective ventilation cavity. Menthol can promote the secretion to dilute mucus and had expectorant effects [8]. Menthol anti-stimulation caused the trachea to a new secretion, leaving the thick mucus easily eliminated, so had the expectorant effect. There also reported that menthol can treat cough in guinea pigs and human [28].

8. Antispasmodic: Mint and its active constituents have antispasmodic effect. Ethanol extract of mint can significantly inhibit guinea pig ileum contraction caused by acetylcholine or histamine [29]. Mint oil also had antispasmodic effect on isolated mice small intestine (anti-acetylcholine), but had no significant effect on the promotion of the small intestine contents [30]. Menthol and menthone also can inhibit in vitro rabbit intestinal and the latter had stronger effect [31].

9. Protect the liver and benefit bile: Subcutaneous injection of mint injection had a protective effect on carbon tetrachloride-induced liver damage, can significantly reduce alanine aminotransferase activity, swelling degeneration of liver cells was lighter than the control, but the necrotic lesions more severe [8]. Duodenal administration of mint acetone dry extract or 50% methanol dry extract 500mg/kg can significant benefit the bile of anesthetized rats. Cause of more volatile oil, acetone dry extract stronger, its main active ingredient was menthol [28]. Menthone also had similar choleretic effect [26].

10. Effect on cardiovascular: Peppermint oil can narcotize isolated frog heart and had vasodilation effect. The menthone make rabbits and dogs breathing excited, blood pressure dropped and the isolated frog heart also inhibited [28].

11. Others: Peppermint oil had mild curare like effect on the frog neuromuscular [3]. Peppermint water extract can inhibt histamine release caused by ConA [32]. Mint extract can inhibit the calcium channel blocker receptor [33]. Peppermint extract can inhibit adenylate cyclase [34]. Peppermint extract has protective effects on radiation induced skin damage [35]. Peppermint oil moist heat can be effective in preventing postoperative abdominal distention, promoting the anal vent and releasing pain at the same time [36].

1.Infantile Acute Tonsillitis: 104 cases in the treatment group received “Jiu Wei Jie Du Tui Re Yin”(Menthae Haplocalycis Herba, Lonicerae Japonicae Flos, Forsythiae Fructus, Gypsum Fibrosum, Rhei Radix Et Rhizoma, Scutellariae Radix, Chrysanthemi Flos, Lasiosphaera etc.), and 105 cases as control. Results: In the treatment group, the total effectiveness was 96.2%, in the control group, the total effectiveness was 95.7%^[1].

2. Nasal Adhesion after Nasal and Sinus surgery: 37 cases after the separation surgery, receied the common treatment, plus nose dropping with “the compound mint oil nasal drop” etc. Results: all cases did not happen adhesion again at the follow-up of 3 months to 1 year^[3].

3.Constipation: 80 cases with Constipation were randomly divided into the treatment group (using the peppermint oil for compress) and the control group of 40 cases (using 40℃ warm water for compress); 80 cases with surgical abdominal postoperative were divided into the treatment group (using the peppermint oil for compress) and the control group of 40 cases (using 40℃ warm water for compress), The first and second groups were observed and recorded first time of defecation, The third and fouth groups were observed and recorded recovery time of bowel sound, anal independent exhaust and defecation. Results: The effect in the first group was better than the second group;And the effect in the third group was better than the fouth group^[4]

1. Ulcerative blepharitis

2. Conjunctivitis

3. Toothache especially induced by wind-heat

4. Aphtha

5. Scabies with severe itching on the whole body due to damp-heat

6. Early period of epidemic febrile disease with headache, joint soreness on the whole body, high fever, mild clod sensation on back, no sweating, floating and slippery pulse

7. Win-heat invading eyes, clouded vision, pain in eyes, dizziness, lossof voice due to pharyngitis

8. Accumulated heat in the chest, wind-heat invading head and eyes, sore throat, low spirit, heat sensation in the chest in children

9.  Sinusitis with smelly mucus

10. Scrofula with pain, canker with pus

11. Hematodiarrhea

12. Rash with itching

13. Cough induced by external wind, stuffy nose

Chemical composition:

[1] state Chinese medicine administration bureau " Chinese Materia Medica " editorial board. Chinese materia medica. Shanghai: Shanghai science and Technology Press, 1999,19:80 ( total 6097).

Pharmacological effect:

[1] " the compilation of Chinese herbal medicine " compilation group. The compilation of Chinese herbal medicine (the first volume ). First edition . Beijing: People's Medical Publishing House, 1976:923.

[2] Dai Yunhua, Du Fangnian. Volatile oils and herbs ( two). Journal of Yunnan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 1987,10 ( 11): 39

[3] Jilin Institute of traditional Chinese medicine. Changbai Mountain plant medicine journal. Changchun: Jilin people's publishing house, 1982:976.

[4]Paya P. Phyto Res, 1990,4 ( 6): 232

[5]Yokota Masami . Foreign Medical Sciences, Chinese medicine part .1990,12 ( 2 ): 83

[6] State Pharmaceutical Administration of Chinese herbal medicine information center. Handbook of active components in plant medicine. First edition, Beijing: People's Medical Publishing House, 1986:714.

[7] Wang Hui, a Weiming, Wang Zongrui, etc.. The analgesic effect of menthol on bupleurum. Study of traditional Chinese medicine, 1996, ( 2): 38

[8] Wang Yusheng. Pharmacology and application of Chinese traditional medicine. First edition, Beijing: People's Medical Publishing House, 1983:1244.

[9] mountain two. The Pharmacognosy magazine (Japan ), 1985,39 ( 1): 93

[10] Lv Yifang, Wang Qiujing, Yang Shijie. The peppermint oil on mouse pregnancy termination in a preliminary study of the role of Bethune Medical University, 1989,15 ( 5): 455

[11] Yang Shijie, Lv Yifang, Liu Hongyan, et al. Peppermint oil termination pregnancy in rabbit experimental study of the effect of Bethune Medical University, 1989,15 ( 4): 346

[12] Yang Shijie, Sun Chengwen, had Jibin, et al. Changbai Mountain District of several kinds of plant oil fatty acids in. Chinese herbal medicine, 1991,22 ( 10): 454..

[13] Misaki Sato Akihiko. Studies on ( day ), 1979, ( 2): 51

[14] Academy of traditional Chinese Medicine Institute of virus group. Chinese herbal medicine for respiratory tract virus cytopathogenic effect. Journal of new medicine, 1973, ( 12): 478

[15] Chen Zuji, Song Jiezhen, Zhang Yong. Chinese herbal medicine against herpes simplex virus in experimental study. Journal of traditional Chinese medicine, 1980,21 ( 2): 153

[16]Chen C P. pharmacognosy magazine (Japan ), 1987,41 ( 3): 215

[17] Lingling regional health and epidemic prevention station. Hunan Medical Journal .1974, ( 5): 49

[18]Chaurasia S C.C A.1979,91:14518r.

[19]Goutan M P.C A. 1980.93: 89359q.

[20]Maiti D.C A.1985103:3554q.

[21] Liu Guosheng pharmaceutical bulletin, 1983,18 ( 10): 620

[22]Matanoy. C A, 1993118:198179m.

[23]Matanoy. C A.1993118:240926e.

[24] Wu iron, Zhang Zhiping. Menthol facilitates paracetamol study on the percutaneous absorption of. Chinese Journal of hospital pharmacy, 1992,12 ( 3): 104

[25] Wang Zongrui. The Department of Dermatology magazine, 1992,25 (6 ): 375

[26] New Medical College of Jiangsu . Great Dictionary of Chinese medicine ( in Chinese). First edition, Shanghai: Shanghai science and Technology Press, 1977:2648.

[27] Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Institute of medicinal plant resources development. Journal of Chinese Materia Medica ( fourth volumes), Second Edition, Beijing: People's Medical Publishing House, 1988:760.

[28] Huang Taikang. Handbook of common Chinese medicine and pharmacology. First edition, Beijing: Chinese Medical Science Press, 1994:1829.

[29]Forster H B. Planta Med, 1980,40 ( 4): 309

[30] Di Ting Zhang Shou. Pharmaceutical Journal (Japan ), 1963,83 ( 6): 624

[31] Zhao Yiren Medical Center ( Japan), 1956121:652. magazine

[32] Hirai Yuko pharmacognosy heterozygous state (Japan ), 1983,37 ( 4): 374

[33]King sequence, Han Guiqiu, Li Rongzhi, etc.. Modern biological analysis of commonly used traditional Chinese medicine screening study. Journal of Beijing Medical University, 1986,18 ( 1): 31

[34]Kanatani H.Planta Med, 1985, ( 2): 182

[35] Lee Shimei. Traditional Chinese medicine on radiation skin damage. Chinese patent medicine, 1991,13 ( 5): 43

[36] von Xiazhi. Peppermint oil wet hot compress for prevention of gynecological patients after abdominal distension. Chinese Journal of nursing, 77 ( 10): 1997,32

Clinical reseach:

[3] Shi YongMin, N iDianFang, Jiang GuiLin, etc. The clinical observation of the peppermint oil in the compress treatment of intestinal peristalsis[J]. Journal of Clinical Medicine in Practice l, 2007, (6) : 23 to 25.