# Schizonepeta tenuifolia

**Canonical URL:** https://ingredients.hermeticasuperfoods.com/ingredients/schizonepeta-tenuifolia
**Data Source:** Hermetica Superfoods Ingredient Encyclopedia
**Updated:** 2026-03-19
**Evidence Score:** 6 / 10
**Category:** Traditional Chinese Medicine
**Also Known As:** Schizonepeta tenuifolia, Japanese Catnip, Jing Jie, Fineleaf Schizonepeta, Japanese Mint, Keigai, Spike of Schizonepeta

## Overview

Schizonepeta tenuifolia is a Traditional Chinese Medicine herb containing pulegone and menthone that modulates immune responses through cytokine regulation. The herb demonstrates [anti-inflammatory](/ingredients/condition/inflammation) effects by balancing Th1/Th2 immune pathways and reducing IgE-mediated allergic responses.

## Health Benefits

• May reduce allergic skin inflammation based on mouse models showing decreased IgE, mast cells, and eosinophils (preliminary evidence)
• Potentially modulates immune response by balancing Th1/Th2 cytokines, enhancing IFN-γ while suppressing IL-4 (in vitro and animal studies only)
• May inhibit inflammatory cytokines (IL-4, IL-6, IL-13, TNF-α) in mast cells at 10-100 μg/mL (in vitro evidence only)
• Shows promise for atopic dermatitis symptoms in DNCB-induced mouse models (preliminary animal evidence)
• May support anti-[inflammatory pathway](/ingredients/condition/inflammation)s via TRPV1/NF-κB suppression (preclinical evidence only)

## Mechanism of Action

Schizonepeta tenuifolia's bioactive compounds pulegone and menthone modulate immune responses by enhancing Th1 cytokine interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) while suppressing Th2 cytokine interleukin-4 (IL-4). The herb reduces allergic [inflammation](/ingredients/condition/inflammation) through decreased immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels and inhibition of mast cell and eosinophil activation. These effects appear to involve regulation of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways.

## Clinical Summary

Research on Schizonepeta tenuifolia consists primarily of in vitro cell studies and animal models using mouse dermatitis models. Mouse studies demonstrated significant reductions in IgE levels, mast cell infiltration, and eosinophil counts in allergic skin [inflammation](/ingredients/condition/inflammation) models. Cell culture studies show measurable increases in IFN-γ production and decreases in IL-4 secretion. However, no human clinical trials have been conducted to validate these preliminary findings or establish therapeutic dosing protocols.

## Nutritional Profile

Schizonepeta tenuifolia (Jing Jie) is used as a dried aerial herb, not as a food source, so conventional macronutrient profiling (protein, fat, carbohydrate, fiber) is not clinically relevant at typical medicinal doses (3–10 g dried herb/day in decoction). Its pharmacological value derives from its bioactive volatile and non-volatile constituents:

**Essential Oil (0.5–2.0% of dried herb):**
• Pulegone: ~35–55% of essential oil; primary monoterpene ketone; responsible for diaphoretic and [anti-inflammatory](/ingredients/condition/inflammation) activity; hepatotoxic at high doses
• Menthone: ~15–25% of essential oil
• d-Limonene: ~5–10% of essential oil
• Isomenthone: ~3–8%
• Isopulegone: ~2–5%
• 1,8-Cineole (eucalyptol): trace to ~3%
• Piperitenone: trace amounts

**Flavonoids:**
• Luteolin: approximately 0.05–0.2% of dried herb; anti-inflammatory, [antioxidant](/ingredients/condition/antioxidant)
• Hesperidin: detected in moderate concentrations
• Apigenin and diosmetin glycosides: present in small quantities

**Phenolic Acids:**
• Rosmarinic acid: ~0.1–0.5% of dried herb; well-characterized antioxidant and anti-allergic compound; oral bioavailability estimated at ~1–5% (rapidly metabolized and conjugated)
• Caffeic acid: present in lower concentrations

**Triterpenoids and Sterols:**
• β-Sitosterol and ursolic acid: detected in trace amounts

**Minerals (approximate, from whole dried herb):**
• Potassium, calcium, magnesium, and iron present in small amounts typical of Lamiaceae family herbs; not clinically significant at medicinal doses

**Bioavailability Notes:**
• Pulegone and other monoterpenes are rapidly absorbed orally and undergo extensive hepatic Phase I [metabolism](/ingredients/condition/weight-management) (CYP-mediated oxidation), producing reactive metabolites (menthofuran); this limits systemic exposure but raises safety concerns at high doses
• Rosmarinic acid has low oral bioavailability (~1–5%) due to esterase hydrolysis and first-pass conjugation (glucuronidation, sulfation)
• Flavonoids such as luteolin undergo extensive glucuronidation; bioavailability of free aglycone is typically <5% without co-administration of absorption enhancers
• The traditional decoction preparation (boiling 10–15 min) extracts water-soluble phenolics and flavonoids efficiently but volatilizes a significant fraction (30–50%) of the essential oil; brief boiling or late addition (后下, hou xia) is traditionally recommended to preserve volatile components
• Charred Schizonepeta (Jing Jie Tan) has markedly reduced essential oil content but increased carbon-adsorptive hemostatic compounds

## Dosage & Preparation

No clinically studied human dosages available. Preclinical studies used: water extract at 200 mg/kg in mice for [immunomodulat](/ingredients/condition/immune-support)ion (PMID: 18549677), and 10-100 μg/mL water extract in cell cultures. Mouse models applied topical or oral preparations over 5 weeks (exact doses not specified). Consult a healthcare provider before starting any new supplement.

## Safety & Drug Interactions

Safety data for Schizonepeta tenuifolia is limited, with most information derived from traditional use patterns rather than controlled studies. The herb contains pulegone, which may be hepatotoxic in high doses, similar to other mint family plants. Potential interactions with immunosuppressive medications are theoretically possible due to its immune-modulating effects. Pregnancy and breastfeeding safety has not been established through clinical research.

## Scientific Research

No human clinical trials, RCTs, or meta-analyses have been conducted on Schizonepeta tenuifolia. All available evidence comes from preclinical in vitro studies using IgE-stimulated RBL-2H3 mast cells (PMC5937521) and animal models including BALB/c mice with DNCB-induced atopic dermatitis (PMID: 22949410) and Nc/Nga mouse AD models (PMID: 32751987, PMC7465453).

## Historical & Cultural Context

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Schizonepeta tenuifolia has been used for over 2000 years to treat common cold with fever, otitis media, skin [inflammation](/ingredients/condition/inflammation)s, allergic dermatitis, eczema, and pruritus. It is a key herb in formulas for releasing exterior wind-cold patterns and alleviating skin eruptions, documented in classical texts like the Shennong Bencao Jing.

## Synergistic Combinations

Alpinia oxyphylla, Licorice root, Scutellaria baicalensis, Forsythia suspensa, Angelica dahurica

## Frequently Asked Questions

### What compounds in Schizonepeta tenuifolia provide immune benefits?

The primary bioactive compounds are pulegone and menthone, essential oil components that modulate cytokine production. These compounds enhance interferon-gamma while suppressing interleukin-4 to balance immune responses.

### How does Schizonepeta tenuifolia reduce allergic inflammation?

The herb decreases immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels and inhibits mast cell and eosinophil activation in allergic responses. Mouse studies showed significant reductions in these inflammatory markers in dermatitis models.

### What is the recommended dosage for Schizonepeta tenuifolia?

No standardized human dosage exists due to lack of clinical trials. Traditional Chinese Medicine typically uses 3-9 grams of dried herb daily, but therapeutic dosing requires professional guidance.

### Can Schizonepeta tenuifolia interact with medications?

Theoretical interactions may occur with immunosuppressive drugs due to its immune-modulating effects. The pulegone content could potentially affect liver metabolism of certain medications requiring hepatic processing.

### Is there human research on Schizonepeta tenuifolia benefits?

No human clinical trials have been published on this herb. Current evidence comes from mouse models and cell culture studies showing immune and anti-inflammatory effects.

### Is Schizonepeta tenuifolia safe for children or the elderly?

Safety data for Schizonepeta tenuifolia in children and elderly populations is limited, as most studies have been conducted in animal models or in vitro. Traditional use in Chinese herbal medicine suggests it has been used across age groups, but pediatric and geriatric-specific safety studies are lacking. Consultation with a healthcare provider is recommended before use in these populations, particularly for those taking other medications or with underlying health conditions.

### What is the current state of clinical evidence for Schizonepeta tenuifolia in humans?

Human clinical trials on Schizonepeta tenuifolia are extremely limited; most evidence comes from in vitro studies and animal models demonstrating potential immune modulation and anti-inflammatory effects. While traditional Chinese medicine has used this herb for centuries, modern randomized controlled trials in human subjects are scarce, making it difficult to confirm efficacy or optimal dosing. More rigorous human research is needed to translate laboratory findings into evidence-based clinical recommendations.

### How does Schizonepeta tenuifolia compare to other anti-allergy herbs like Perilla frutescens?

Both Schizonepeta tenuifolia and Perilla frutescens are traditional Asian herbs used to address allergic responses and have shown promise in reducing IgE and mast cell activation in preliminary studies. However, direct comparative research between these herbs is limited, making it difficult to determine which is more effective or whether they work synergistically. Each herb contains different phytochemical profiles, so their mechanisms and potential applications may differ, warranting further investigation to establish clinical differentiation.

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*Source: Hermetica Superfoods Ingredient Encyclopedia — https://ingredients.hermeticasuperfoods.com*
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