Bo He – Chinese Mint

This aromatic plant was first documented in ancient Chinese herbal lore, appearing in foundational medicinal texts more than 2,000 years ago. Early scholars of Chinese medicine Shen Nong — the legendary agronomist and herbalist — included mint in his Materia Medica, noting its cooling, refreshing nature and its usefulness for wind-heat ailments.  In the 5th century, Lei Gong Pao Zhi Lun (“Grandfather Lei’s Herb Preparation Manual”) mentions Bo He as a medicinal herb, showing its established use by that time.

Over centuries, Bo He became a staple in classical medical texts and herbal compilations. Later pharmacopeias and materia medica continued to describe its properties and uses.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), herbs are classified not just by chemical content but by energetic qualities: Bo He is acrid and cool in nature. It is said to enter the Lung and Liver meridians, meaning it influences functions related to breathing, throat health, and the flow of qi (vital energy).  This classification explains why it was (and still is) widely used for conditions like colds, headaches, sore throats, and more.

In TCM, many seasonal ailments — like sudden fevers, sore throats, or blocked sinuses — are described as caused by wind-heat invading the body. Bo He’s cool, aromatic quality was seen as ideal to “release the exterior” — that is, to help the body expel cold/heat pathogens quickly while refreshing the head and throat.

Because the herb clears heat and directs energy upward and outward, historic practitioners used it for red, inflamed eyes, headaches, and even to encourage rash emergence in diseases like measles.

Bo He was commonly brewed into teas or decoctions for coughs, sore throats, and upper respiratory discomfort. Its menthol-rich aroma was thought to help clear the lungs and help breathing.

In folklore and herbal practice, Bo He is also credited with helping digestive stagnation and calming qi — a concept roughly analogous to restoring digestive rhythm or relieving bloating and belching.

Harvesting and drying Bo He is an ancient tradition: The plant is collected in summer and autumn when its stems and leaves are lush or when flowers bloom. Once dried, the leaves are used in medicinal teas, herbal formulas, and sometimes even in culinary dishes or refreshing beverages.

Its fresh, cool aroma became associated not only with healing but with refreshment and clarity — a feature that links it culturally to concepts of cooling summer drinks, soothing tonics, and breath-freshening teas.

Bo He requires full sun to partial shade. The best essential oil content and aroma develop in full sun, especially in cooler climates. In hot regions afternoon shade will prevent leaves from scorching.

Grow the mint in moist, fertile, well-drained soil that is loamy or sandy loam, and rich in organic matter. The plant will tolerate heavier soils if the drainage is good.  Keep soil consistently moist, especially during establishment and do not allow prolonged drying. Mulching helps retain moisture and cool roots.

Bo He is a perennial, spreading mint that grows 12–24 inches tall and Spreads vigorously by rhizomes. For this reason it is best grown in containers or with root barriers if planted in the ground.