Asian mint, known scientifically as Mentha arvensis L., is a perennial herb of the Lamiaceae family, genus Mentha. It is also referred to as wild mint or field mint.

The "Compendium of Materia Medica" also records the characteristics of mint: "Pungent and able to disperse, cool and able to clear and benefit, specialized in eliminating wind and clearing heat. Therefore, it is essential for treating headaches, migraines, eye and throat disorders, dental diseases, children's febrile convulsions, scrofula, and skin sores."

Many people enjoy the cooling sensation that mint brings, and the key substance responsible for this magical cooling feeling is menthol (mint oil) in mint. Many mammals have a special receptor protein called "TRPM8" (Transient receptor potential melastatin 8), which is a type of non-selective cation channel found on cell membranes or organelle membranes. It is also known as "cold and menthol receptor 1" (CMR1, full name: cold and menthol receptor 1).

TRPM8 is an ion channel that, when the temperature is below 26°C, allows sodium, potassium, cesium, and calcium ions to enter the cell, leading to cell depolarization and the generation of an action potential. When transmitted to the brain, it causes the organism to feel a "cold" sensation. Studies have found that menthol can activate TRPM8 by changing the cell membrane potential, and the cation channel will also open, allowing these sodium, potassium, cesium, and calcium ions to enter the cell. This causes the sensation to be activated even when the surrounding environmental temperature is above 26°C, thereby sending a signal to the brain, resulting in the feeling of "cold".

Appearance: colorless to light yellow liquid

Extract Part: Leaf

Origin: USA