Many herbs used in traditional ­Chinese medicine (TCM) are actually everyday cooking herbs. So the next time you feel a sore throat coming on, try mint tea to bring some relief.

In TCM, sore throats are ­usually viewed as Heat becoming trapped in the acupuncture meridians (energy lines) that travel through the throat area. Treatment, whether through acupuncture or herbal medicine, is aimed at promoting the flow of energy in these meridians to release this stagnant Heat. For this reason, the pungent and cooling properties of mint, known as Bo He in Chinese, either alone or combined with other herbs, can be helpful in relieving cases of sore throat, especially those brought on by a cold or flu.

To brew mint tea, use one to two tablespoons (15-30 mg) of mint leaf and steep in one cup (250 ml) of hot water for about five minutes. Be sure not to cook it too long, otherwise the volatile oils that contain most of the medicinal properties may evaporate. Several cups of tea may be sipped throughout the day as needed.

--Avery Yackel, R.TCM.P., Lifelong Health, Surrey & Vancouver, BC (604) 671-4682

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