薄荷 Mentha haplocathx Brig.为常用中药之一 ,味辛 ,性凉 ,常用于疏风、散热、辟秽、解毒。一般认为其功效与其挥发油含量密切有关。《中国药典》明确规定药材薄荷的挥发油含量不得低于0 .8% ,作为判断药材薄荷质量优劣的一个指标。薄荷挥发油的主要成分为薄荷醇 Menthof,薄 Mentha haplocathx Brig. is one of the commonly used traditional Chinese medicines. It is spicy and cool. It is often used to disperse winds, dissipate heat, dispel rumen and detoxify. It is generally believed that its efficacy is closely related to its volatile oil content. The Chinese Pharmacopoeia clearly stipulates that the volatile oil content of the medicinal peppermint must not be lower than 0.8%, as an index to judge the quality of peppermint herbs. The main component of peppermint oil is menthol Menthof, thin