Description
Perennial plant growing to 26 ft (8 m) with upright square stems, lance-shaped leaves, and whorls of small flowers.
Habitat & Cultivation
Native to the Far East, jing jie is widely cultivated in eastern China. The aerial parts of the plant are gathered in autumn.
Parts Used
Aerial parts.
Constituents
Jing jie contains a volatile oil, the main constituents of which are menthone and limonene.
Medicinal Actions & Uses
In the Chinese tradition, jing jie is valued as an aromatic and warming herb. It is taken to alleviate skin conditions such as boils and itchiness. Jing jie also induces sweating and is used to treat fever and chills, and as a remedy for measles. It is often combined with bo he (Mentha haplocalyx).
Research
Chinese studies have confirmed jing jie’s ability to increase blood flow in the vessels just beneath the skin.