Field Mint

박하 (薄荷) · Mentha canadensis L.

Wind-releasing herb Warm (later texts: cool) Pungent, bitter Lung, Liver

NatureWarm (later texts: cool)

TastePungent, bitter

MeridiansLung, Liver

Part usedStem and leaf

FamilyLamiaceae

CategoryWind-releasing herb

Find by concern: Headache Fatigue

Overview

Field mint bridges the vegetable garden and the medicine cabinet in Korean tradition, eaten fresh as a vegetable while also serving as the herb classically credited with 'clearing the head and eyes' better than almost any other. The Donguibogam notes it as a rising herb that carries other medicines upward and outward.

In the Donguibogam

東醫
寶鑑

性溫, 味辛苦, 無毒. 能引諸藥入榮衛, 發毒汗, 療傷寒頭痛.

Source: Donguibogam, Tangaek-pyeon (Herbology volume)

TranslationIts nature is warm, its taste pungent and bitter, and it is non-toxic. It can lead the other medicines into the nutritive and defensive qi, provoke a cleansing sweat, and treat cold-damage headache.

Traditional functions

Disperses wind-heat
Clears the head and eyes
Relieves headache
Carries other herbs upward and outward

Traditional applications

Headache with wind-heat
Red, tired eyes
Early-stage cold with fever
General fatigue and heaviness

Traditional preparation

Decoction 3–6g, added near the end of boiling to preserve its volatile aromatics; also eaten fresh as a vegetable or brewed as tea.

Cautions

Caution: Traditionally avoided in spontaneous sweating from weak exterior qi or in the absence of true wind-heat, since its strongly dispersing nature can overtax a weak constitution. Consult a professional.

Frequently asked questions

Is field mint really eaten as a vegetable?

Yes — the Donguibogam notes it was grown in gardens and eaten fresh or pickled, alongside its use as a medicinal herb, much like perilla or watercress in other traditions.

What does 'clearing the head and eyes' mean?

A classical phrase describing mint's cooling, uplifting action on headache, eye redness, and mental fog — later sources specifically praised it as 'foremost' for this purpose among common herbs.

Sources

동의보감 탕액편 (원문) — 한문 원문 발췌 — 한의학고전DB 탕액편 대조 검증 완료 (DATA-001)
한의학고전DB (mediclassics.kr) — 국역 참조 후 자체 재서술 (LEGAL-001)

DonguiHub is an educational and informational platform about the history and tradition of Korean medicine. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional about health conditions and before using any herb.