PDR for Herbal Medicines

HERBAL MONOGRAPHS JAPANESE MINT^431

Leaves, Stem and Root: The plant is an upright, herbaceous

perennial with a rhizome that extends up to 1 m high. The

basal leaves wilt rapidly; the upper cauline leaves are

alternate, small, usually simple and sessile. The lower leaves

are long-petiolate, 8 to 10 cm long. The lamina is pergament-

-Mjl like, single pinnate with 3 to 5 elongate-elliptical leaflets.

The apical leaflet is larger with short thorns on the margin.

The rhizome is elongate, gnarled, 2 to 3 cm thick and up to 8

cm long.

Habitat: Japan.

LITERATURE

Blaschek W, Hansel R, Keller K, Reichling J, Rimpler G.

Schneider G (Eds), Hagers Handbuch der Pharmazeutischen

Praxis. Folgebande 1 und 2. Drogen A-Z. Springer. Berlin.

Heidelberg 1998.

Satoh K, Nagai F, Ushiyama K, Kano I, Specific inhibition of

Na+,K(+)-ATPase activity by atractylon, a major component of

byaku-Jutsu, by interaction with enzyme in the E2 state.

Biochem Pharmacol (1997 Feb 21) 53(4):611-4.

Japanese Mint

Mentha arvensis var. piperascens

DESCRIPTION

Medicinal Parts: The medicinal parts are the dried aerial

parts of the plant and the essential oil, which is extracted by

steam distillation followed by partial removal of menthol and

rectification.

Flower and Fruit: The flowers are in densely globular.

sessile, 8- to 12-blossomed false whorls with small linear-

lanceolate bracts. The inflorescence is leafy at the apex. The

bracts are like the leaves, smaller above. The tepals are 1.5

by 2.5 mm, broadly campanulate and hairy. The corolla is

lilac, white or, rarely, pink. The nutlets are pale brown.

Leaves, Stem and Root: Japanese Mint is a pubescent.

fragrant perennial or occasionally annual that grows up to 60

cm. The stems are ascending or erect. The leaves are 15 to

70 mm by 10 to 40 mm, and are elliptic-lanceolate to broadly

ovate, usually elliptical with the base narrowing to a petiole.

and shallowly dentate.

Habitat: The plant is found in Europe as far north as the 65th

latitude, in Asia (particularly in Siberia), the Caucasus, the

Himalayas, China, Mongolia, Korea and Japan. It was

probably introduced to North America.

Production: Mint oil consists of essential oil recovered from

Mentha arvensis var. piperascens. The oil is obtained by

steam distillation of the fresh, flowering herb, followed by-

partial removal of menthol and rectification.

Menthol is obtained from various species of Mentha, chiefly

M. arvensis var. piperascens (from Japan), M. arvensis var.

glabrata (from China) and M. piperata (from America). The

product extracted from the first two is less valuable than the

third, even though it contains a higher proportion of menthol.

ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY

COMPOUNDS

Chief components: menthol (25-40%), menthone (15-30*^).

isomenthone (7-12%), limonene (7-12%), neomenthol (2-

4%), menthyl acetate (1-5%), beta-caryophyllene (2-5^).

Production: Japanese Atractylodes rhizome is the dried

rhizome of Atractylodes japonica.

ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY

COMPOUNDS

Volatile oil (1.5%): constituents not investigated

Sesquiterpenes: atractylon, atractylenolids I to III, eudesma-

4 (14), 7(ll)-dien-8-one

Polyynes: including diacetylatractylodiol, (4E, 6E, 12E)-

tetradecatrien-8, 10-diin-l, 3-diolacetate

Water-soluble polysaccharides: atractan A, atractan B

m EFFECTS

The furanosesquiterpenes isolated from the essential oil of

the drug exhibit antimicrobial, hepatoprotective, mildly

analgesic, antiphlogistic, tumor-inhibiting and antioxidative

effects.

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

Unproven Uses: Japanese Atractylodes has been used for

gastric complaints, inflammations, heavy sweating and as a

diuretic.

Chinese Medicine: Preparations are used for loss of appetite,
physical and mental exhaustion, diarrhea, edema, nausea and
vomiting.
PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS
No health hazards are known in conjunction with the proper
administration of designated therapeutic dosages.
DOSAGE
Mode of Administration: Whole herb, cut drug, powdered
drug and liquid preparations for internal use.
%
Preparation: The powder is prepared in accordance with Jap
XI. There is no information available on the preparation of
the infusion.
Daily Dosage: Internally: single dose: 0.5 to 1.0 gm of
powder; daily dose: 1.5 to 3.0 gm of powder

Infusion: single dose: 1 to 1.5 gm; daily dose: 3 to 5 gm

Storage: Should be tightly sealed.