薄荷,土名叫“銀丹草”,為唇形科植物“薄荷”即同屬其他干燥全草,多生于山野濕地河旁,根莖橫生地下。全株青氣芳香。葉對生,花小淡紫色,唇形,花后結(jié)暗紫棕色的小粒果。薄荷是中華常用中藥之一。它是辛涼性發(fā)汗解熱藥,治流行性感冒、頭疼、目赤、身熱、咽喉、牙床腫痛等癥。外用可治神經(jīng)痛、皮膚瘙癢、皮疹和濕疹等。光朋溫室采摘的薄荷又是春節(jié)餐桌上的鮮菜。清爽可口。平常以薄荷代茶,清心明目。
薄荷是一種充滿希望的植物,人生難免有許多錯過的人或者事物,能再次相遇、相親和相愛的機會幾乎沒有,但越是沒有就越是想念,薄荷雖然是一種平淡的花,但它的味道沁人心脾,清爽從每一個毛孔滲進肌膚,身體里每一個細胞都通透了,那是一種很幸福的感覺,會讓那些曾經(jīng)失去過的人得到一絲安慰,所以薄荷的花語是 “愿與你再次相逢”和“再愛我一次”。此外,它還有一種花語是"美德",代表了人的種種美好德行……
薄荷為芳香植物的代表,品種很多,每種都有清涼的香味。花色有白、粉、淡紫等,低調(diào)而不張揚,組成唇形科特有的花莖。
《本草經(jīng)疏》中記載:薄荷,辛多于苦而無毒。辛合肺,肺合皮毛,苦合心而從火化,主血脈,主熱,皆陽臟也。賊風傷寒,其邪在表,故發(fā)汗則解。風藥性升,又兼辛溫,故能散邪辟惡。辛香通竅,故治腹脹滿、霍亂。《食療》引為能去心家熱,故為小兒驚風、風熱家引經(jīng)要藥。辛香走散,以通關(guān)節(jié),故逐賊風、發(fā)汗者,風從汗解也。本非脾胃家藥,安能主宿食不消?上升之性,亦難主下氣;勞乏屬虛,非散可解,三療俱非,明者當子別之。又:病人新瘥勿服,以其發(fā)汗虛表氣也。咳嗽若因肺虛寒客之而無熱癥者勿服,以其當補而愈。陰虛人發(fā)熱勿服,以出汗則愈竭其津液也。腳氣類傷寒勿服,以其病主下而屬脾故也。血虛頭痛,非同諸補血藥不可用。小兒身熱由于傷食者不可用,小兒身熱因于疳積者不可用。小兒痘瘡診得氣虛者,雖身熱初起,亦不可用。
Mentha Haplocalyx
Mentha haplocalyx, with common name of silver lunar caustic, is a labiate plant which mostly grows in wetlands or alongside rivers. All over the plant is green and fragrant. It has small light purplish flowers and opposite leaves. Mentha halocalyx is a common Chinese herbal medicine which can cure illnesses of influenza, headache, hot eyes, body heat, throat pain and gum pain in internal use, and neuralgia, pruritus, tetter and eczema in external use. Mentha haplocalyx gathered from greenhouses is fresh and delicious vegetables in New Year. Furthermore, soaking it to drink instead of tea can clear mind and improve eyesight.