Evidence supporting the use of: Mentha haplocalyx
For the health condition: Cough (dry)
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
Mentha haplocalyx, commonly known as Chinese mint or "Bo He" in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), has a long history of use as a remedy for various respiratory ailments, including cough, particularly the dry type. In TCM, Bo He is classified as a cooling herb that disperses wind-heat, soothes the throat, and relieves cough by promoting the flow of Qi in the lung and liver meridians. Historical texts such as the "Shennong Bencao Jing" and "Compendium of Materia Medica" describe its use for cough, sore throat, and feverish conditions. The traditional preparation involves decocting the leaves or using them in herbal combinations targeting symptoms associated with external wind-heat invasion, which often includes a dry cough.
Scientific evidence for Mentha haplocalyx in the treatment of dry cough is limited. Some studies have identified menthol and other volatile oils in the plant with mild antitussive (cough-suppressing) and soothing effects on the respiratory tract, but these are not robustly validated for clinical efficacy in dry cough specifically. Thus, the use is primarily justified by tradition, with a low to moderate level of supporting evidence from small pharmacological studies and a large body of historical use.
Other ingredients used for Cough (dry)
aloe veraalpha-pinene
apple
waterhyssop
benegut perilla (proprietary)
beta-pinene
black currant
black pepper
radish
Indian frankincense
cat's claw
Chinese salvia root
cinnamon
clove
cowage seed
turmeric
elderberry
garlic bulb
ginger
glehnia root
greek mountain tea
onion
green tea
heartwood
Indian tinospora
jujube
lemon
licorice root
marshmallow
nettle
ophiopogon root
oregano
parsley
pear
phellodendron amurense
platycodon root
plum fruit
polygala root
pomegranate
thyme
vitamin C
zhejiang fritillary
zinc
sarsaparilla
boneset
mullein
tangerine
hyssop
atractylodes
Indian bael
malabar nut
alpinia galangal
hedychium spicatum
inula racemosa
anise
pistacia integerrima gall
fumaria parviflora
fritillaria
yerba santa
elecampane
dodder
sweet flag
menthol oil
Alcohol
Agastache
Anamarrhena
Ambergris
acacia
Asarum heterotropoides
Aconite
Asafoetida
Aerva lanata
Asam gelugor
Adenophora
Allium tuberosum
Asarum sieboldii
Atractylone
Black Seed
Bermuda Grass
Bryonia
Bayleaf
Bael
Butternut
Baccharoides anthelmintica
black salt
Bee products
Buddha's Hand
banana
Bassia scoparia
Burning Bush
Balloon Flower
Belamcanda
Bergenia
Cactus
Citron
Citrus
Cineole
Capsaicin
Cistus
Cubeb
Cowslip
Chaenomeles lagenaria
Calamus
Cinnamaldehyde
Clerodendrum indicum
Dragonhead
Diterpenes
Dichrostachys glomerata
Echinacea
Elder
Ephedrine
Poppy
Other health conditions supported by Mentha haplocalyx
Abdominal PainAcid Indigestion
Anxiety
Appetite (deficient)
Belching
Bronchitis
Cough (damp)
Cough (dry)
Cough (general)
Cough (spastic)
Diarrhea
Digestion (poor)
Fever
Gas and Bloating
Gastritis
Headache (general)
Headache (sinus)
Headache (tension)
Indigestion
Inflammation
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Menstrual Irregularity
Nausea and Vomiting
Pain (general remedies for)
Sinus Infection
Sore Throat
Stress
Wheezing