Health Benefits and Uses of Spearmint

Created by philiHealth | | Health & Wellness | #Herbal Tea#Essential Oil#Herbal Powder

Spearmint (Mentha spicata)

Spearmint scientifically known as Mentha spicata is an aromatic herb commonly used for both culinary and medicinal purposes. Like other herbs of the mint family, Spearmint has a square-shaped stem. Its leaves are around 5 centimeters to 9 centimeters long and 1.5 centimeters to 3 centimeters wide. Spearmint, which gets its name from its "spear-shaped leaves", belongs to the mint family Lamiaceae. The Spearmint plant is a perennial which can grow and spread quite aggressively if given the chance. It’s native to Europe and Asia. It gets its flavor from the chemical ingredient carvone, which is much subtler than the aforementioned menthol and doesn’t evoke the same cooling sensation.

Spearmint is widely known as a common garden mint that is commonly used as a culinary herb. It is also used to add flavor to chewing some gum types. The leaves of this herb can often be found in dried or fresh form as a flavorful addition to beverages, soups, salads, sauces, fruit, vegetables, meat, fish and more. Its essential oil is commonly used as a flavoring for toothpaste, mouthwash, lip balm, jellies, candies. It’s also used to scent cosmetic and home products such as lotions and candles. Spearmint’s uses are primarily restricted to the culinary and commercial realms (think shaving creams and toothpaste). But it does have some notable healing effects, such as the ability to alleviate nausea and hiccups. So it might come as a surprise that in cooking, Spearmint is often found in savory recipes, the opposite of Peppermint. Whether it’s blended into a tzatziki sauce drizzled over a rack of lamb, carefully folded into a pork- and veggie-packed spring roll or muddled into a refreshing mojito, Spearmint is sure to let the dish’s other flavors shine alongside it, which is why it’s a favorite ingredient of many chefs around the world.

Bible verse related to Herbs For Healing:"Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone" - Matthew 23:23.

Health Benefits of Spearmint

Spearmint contains vitamins, antioxidants, and vital nutrients. Its aroma is very similar to that of Peppermint. It contains less menthol than Peppermint, but it is rich in limonene, dihydrocarvone, and cineol. It has a sweeter taste than Peppermint. Spearmint is known for its refreshing aroma and cool feel. Mint leaves are a great source of Vitamin C, A and E as well as beta carotene. Chewing leaves of mint freshen breath and offers micro nutrients such as calcium, potassium, magnesium, iron, dietary fiber and manganese. Essential oils are loaded with antioxidants which helps to promote immune system in the body. It is free from cholesterol.

Menthol or Mint oil which is extracted from the herb is used as flavoring agents in mouthwashes, toothpastes, mouth fresheners and chewing gums. It is used in oral care products and also used in shampoos, soaps and oils for massage or aromatherapy. Spearmint extracts are used to provide relief from stomach upsets, nasal congestion, headache, colic and gingivitis.

In small amounts, herbs can be very small but mighty when it comes to nutrition content. Two tablespoons of fresh Spearmint contain about: 4.9 calories, 0.9 grams carbohydrates, 0.8 grams fiber, 0 grams fat, 0.4 grams protein, 456 international units vitamin A (9% DV), 1.3 milligrams iron (7% DV), 0.1 milligrams manganese (6% DV), 11.8 micrograms folate (3% DV), 1.5 milligrams vitamin C (2% DV), 22.4 milligrams calcium (2% DV), 7.1 milligrams magnesium (2% DV).

The Mentha species of family Lamiaceae are famous for their flavor and are commercially used in many food products worldwide. They are widely used to cure digestive problems as well as a natural source of antioxidants and antimicrobials.

In a 2023 study "Nutritionally rich biochemical profile in essential oil of various Mentha species and their antimicrobial activities" published in Protoplasma, by Hina Fazal, Muhammad Akram, Nisar Ahmad, Muhammad Qaisar, Farina Kanwal, Gohar Rehman, Irfan Ullah, the essential oils (EOs) of five Mentha species, namely Mentha citrata, Mentha x piperita, Mentha pulegium, Mentha spicata, and Mentha suaveolens were extracted and their chemical diversity was investigated through gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS). The differential doses (5, 10, and 15 µl) of EOs were tested for antimicrobial potential against two gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis), five gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeroginosa, Salmonella typhi, Proteus mirabilis and Klebsiella pneumoniae) and a fungal strain (Candida albicans). The GC-MS results revealed the major components in the EOs were Carvone, Linalool, Hotrienol, Menthol, Isopulegone, Furanone, Piperitone, and Thymol. Moreover, the higher dose (15 µl) of EOs of M. citrata inhibited the growth of S. typhi and C. albicans (35.8 ± 2.4 and 35.2 ± 2.5 mm), M. x piperita inhibited E. coli, B. subtilis, and C. albicans (28.5 ± 3.5, 26.1 ± 2.1, and 25.4 ± 1.1 mm), M. pulegium inhibited K. pneumoniae, B. subtilis, and C. albicans (26.8 ± 1.8, 24.2 ± 2.2, and 25.3 ± 0.9 mm), M. spicata significantly inhibited S. typhi and B. subtilis (35.7 ± 2.7 and 36.3 ± 2.1 mm), and M. suaveolens inhibited K. pneumoniae, C. albicans, and S. typhi (30.8 ± 1.9, 26.9 ± 1.1, and 20.1 ± 0.8 mm) respectively. This study concluded that the EOs of M. citrata was effective against S. typhi and C. albicans. The M. x piperita exhibited strong activities against E. coli, B. subtilis, and C. albicans. Furthermore, the M. pulegium strongly inhibited the growth of K. pneumoniae and C. albicans. The EO of M. spicata was more potent against S. typhi and B. subtilis, while the M. suaveolens was comparatively more effective against S. typhi, K. pneumoniae, and C. albicans. These EOs offer a natural source of antimicrobial agents with high commercial values and social acceptance and could be scale up by food and pharmaceutical industries to control pathogenic diseases.

Digestive Disorders:

It is used to relieve digestive distress and indigestion. Spearmint is a palate cleanser or a great appetizer. It enhances digestion and soothes stomach in the case of inflammation or indigestion. Drink a cup of Spearmint tea to provide relief from stomach problems. Spearmint tea plays a key role in promoting digestion and soothing irritated stomach. The active ingredient carvone helps in reducing painful muscle contractions in the digestive tract. Menthol oil extracted from mint is helpful for those who travel long distances by boat or plane for motion sickness and nausea. The aroma found in this herb activates salivary glands in mouth and glands that secretes digestive enzymes by facilitating digestion. It increases the absorption of minerals from the food and also soothes an upset stomach. Regular intake of Spearmint tea is extremely effective in treating nausea, vomiting, flatulence, abdominal distension, abdominal cramping, gas, bloating and irritable bowel syndrome.

Massaging the affected parts with 4 drops of Spearmint essential oil blended with soothing carrier oils like Evening primrose oil can support in relaxing muscles after exercise, treating digestive disorders, expelling gas formed in the intestines and stomach, relieving from stress and fatigue, easing abdominal pain due to menstruation, improving concentration, relaxing contraction of muscles and nerves and in enhancing blood circulation.

Indigestion (Dyspepsia):

Mint is a calming herb that people have used for thousands of years to help soothe an upset stomach or indigestion. Spearmint is a very friendly herb to your digestive system, as it is known to work with carminative action to relieve flatulence and pain in the abdomen. The juice of Spearmint leaves can treat the colic in infants. People who are experiencing bloating can chew some fresh leaves of this herb to lower bloating and cramps.

Chronic Indigestion (Functional Dyspepsia):

Another side effect of having untimely and unhealthy food that has become really common in today’s world. Irritable bowel syndrome is much more evident in the American cities, and is affecting women at a fast pace. This ailment results in either the uncontrolled flow of bowels (motions) or restricted stools (constipation). The uncomfortable quenching in the upper digestive tract indicates functional dyspepsia, which leaves us in undeniable pain. Both these stomach-related diseases can be cured by taking up the regular dosage of hot peppermint tea, which is known to soothe and cure them. So, the next time you have discomfort in the tummy, make your way to the kitchen to make a soothing cup of Spearmint tea.

Digestive Upset and Flatulence:

One of the active components of Spearmint is carvone. Research shows that carvone has an antispasmodic effect in the intestines. Spearmint’s relaxing effects on the digestive tract can be beneficial for common complaints like upset stomach and flatulence. Flatulence as the continuous feeling of abdominal distension is equal to "Nafkh" in Iranian Traditional Medicine.

A 2021 study "Mentha spicata L. essential oil, phytochemistry and its effectiveness in flatulence" published in Journal Traditional Complementary Medicine by Mohaddese Mahboubi, is believed to derive from the amount of stomach temperature, humidity of food or abnormal humidity in digestive tract and their interactions. Mentha spicata as cool and spicy plant with astringent and digestive property is recommended for treatment of flatulence. The information was extracted from accessible international databases, traditional books, electronic resources, and unpublished data. Mentha spicata essential oil with main component of carvone has potency for treatment of flatulence related to indigestion, cesarean section and dysmenorrhea. Also, it can reduce the pain severity during the colonoscopy or dysmenorrheal conditions. No hazardous effects were reported for Mentha spicata essential oil, if it is used in proper dosages. Mentha spicata essential oil can be applied for other intestinal complaints with pain and flatulence such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome that needs more deep clinical trials for demonstrating its potential.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS):

The antispasmodic abilities of mentha spicata may help relieve symptoms of digestive complaints by relaxing your stomach muscles. This same action in the digestive tract may explain why Spearmint helps relieve nausea and vomiting. Most people suffer digestive upsets on a regular basis. Often the over-use of antacids can cause stomach upsets in themselves, including diarrhea. A more natural way of calming stomach upsets is by drinking Spearmint tea. It can also help when you’re suffering from gas, cramping, and bloating, especially if you eat some of the gas-causing vegetables, such as broccoli or cabbage. It’s also been proven helpful for people suffering IBS. It can also be taken as a preventative right after dinner, to bypass any issues you may have with a big meal. It can help when you have constipation or when you have a stomach flu bug that causes diarrhea.

A supplement containing Spearmint and other herbs was found to relieve symptoms of IBS in patients who participated in a clinical trial. Patients reported significant improvement in bloating and abdominal pain compared to participants who were given a placebo.

A review of several studies of people with IBS with this condition found that it provided significantly better relief compared to the placebo.

In one study in 72 people with IBS, Peppermint oil capsules reduced IBS symptoms by 40% after four weeks, compared to only 24.3% with a placebo. A review of 14 clinical studies showed Spearmint reduced the frequency, length and severity of abdominal pain.

In an 8 week randomized study in 32 people with IBS, one group was given a product containing Spearmint, Lemon Balm and Coriander along with Loperamide for diarrhea or Psyllium for constipation. At the end of the study, people who received the Spearmint-containing supplement reported less abdominal pain, discomfort and bloating compared to those in the placebo group. Among patients, approximately 40% of IBS sufferers experience mild symptoms, while 35% have moderate symptoms. A further 25% have severe IBS, with this gastrointestinal disorder affecting 10-15% of the world’s population overall. We await further research before backing this claim.

Gastric Ulcer:

Gastric ulcer is caused when the lining of stomach or intestine has an open sore or raw area. Helicobacter pylori is a bacteria that is the most common cause of gastric ulcer. Spearmint tea is very effective in killing and inhibiting the growth of the bacteria.

Nausea and Vomit:

Spearmint has got anti inflammatory effects that can settles down your stomach and is commonly used to help relieve symptoms of indigestion, nausea, vomiting, gas or stomach upset. Early evidence indicates that this herb may help your tummy settle down while experiencing any kind of stomach upset or nausea. It also helps in eliminating cramping, bloating, constipation and other gastrointestinal disease by calming down the inflamed tissues of your stomach.

In one study, Spearmint essential oil applied to the skin significantly reduced the incidence of nausea and vomiting compared to a placebo. Therefore, while studies on the effects of this type on mint on digestion are limited, some evidence suggests that it may be helpful.

Respiratory Conditions:

Spearmint has amazing anti-inflammatory properties, which helps it to cure all kinds of respiratory issues. It has antiseptic and anti-spasmodic effects that help in reducing mucus and relieving coughs, and clearing out sinuses, throat infections, colds, flu, congestion, asthma, bronchitis, and irritation in the nose. Having fresh juice of Spearmint along with honey will relieve sore throats. The tea prepared with fresh Spearmint leaves would help in opening up the congested sinus passages. Hence, it keeps your respiratory system clear and free from any hindrances. So, calling this wondrous tea an elixir is no exaggeration.

A study explored the effect of inhalation of Mentha spicata essential oils on exercise performance as well as lung function. The findings support effectiveness of Mentha spicata essential oils on the parameters of exercise performance and respiratory function. Due to small sample size and lack of control groups, masking or randomization, our generalizability and conclusion of results should be interpreted with caution.

A further investigation is recommended in order to explain mechanism of actions for these two essential oils on exercise performance and respiratory gas exchange parameters. Instead of inhalation of Peppermint aroma, differences in running distance, duration of study and inhalation of two different unstudied before essential oils could be a vital characteristics of this study in comparison to previous researches. Studies have been proven that consumption of Spearmint oil is very healthy and it's improved our respiratory system and prevent the risk of various types of respiratory issues.

Using 2 drops of this oil in steam inhalation is said to grant considerable relief from headache, nausea, nervous conditions, flu, fever, asthma, sinusitis, bronchitis, congestion, cough, migraines and breathing problems.

Cold and Flu:

Mint contains menthol. This an aromatic decongestant that might help to break up phlegm and mucus, making it easier to expel. Applying menthol ointments or vapor rubs may be a safe and effective treatment for children who have a common cold. It can also help to protect your mouth and throat from infections. The natural properties of Spearmint will also work to help prevent your body from succumbing to cold and flu bugs. It will work to sooth sore throats and any tightness you’re feeling in the upper chest. The menthol will help to loosen chest congestion and help make coughing easier. The aroma can help to clear out your sinuses. Even the strong aroma can help to make you feel more alert.

However, the American Lung Association (ALA) advise that scientific studies do not support the use of menthol for managing cold symptoms. Despite this, some people may find that cold symptoms reduce after applying a menthol vapor rub.

Cough:

Spearmint tea has been cited as one of the best weapons against all types of coughs. It is stomatic, tonic, refrigerant, anodyne, stimulant, and carries menthol, a great soothing element for clearing phlegms and clogs inside our throats.

Sinus:

The consumption of any warm liquid, from tea to hot water with honey, can help with congestion, but Spearmint tea boasts a specific benefit, and once again, we have menthol to thank. Menthol is a natural decongestant, providing relief from sinus pressure, related to colds and allergies, and the hot liquid can also soothe a sore throat that accompanies seasonal cold symptoms too. When you’re suffering from a stuffy nose and scratchy throat, combine Spearmint tea, Lemon and honey for a soothing drink.

Sore Throat:

Having a sore throat is a nuisance, especially when you have an important event ahead. Anyhow, not able to express your ideas verbally is irritating, and you can’t help resorting to over–the-counter medication. Instead, go for a warm cup of Spearmint tea, which will clear your throat. The steam from the tea soothes the nasal passage, and the warm liquid flowing down the oesophagus makes you feel better.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD):

The study on "Effect of Spearmint oil on inflammation, oxidative alteration and Nrf2 expression in lung tissue of COPD rats" published in PubMed proved that Spearmint oil augments pulmonary inflammation and has a protective effect on lung injury in rats affected by chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Seasonal Allergies and Allergic Rhinitis (Hay Fever):

Hay fever and seasonal allergies affects about millions of people in the world. Spearmint leaves extract helps to inhibit release of some chemicals that aggravate severe nasal symptoms related with seasonal allergies and hay fever. Mint plants contain an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent called rosmarinic acid.

A 2019 study on rats found that rosmarinic acid reduced symptoms of asthma when compared to a control group that did not receive a supplement.

The mint plant family provides a range of plant compounds that have anti-allergenic effects, according to a 2019 review published in Frontiers in Pharmacology. However, the content of mint extract in oils and ointments may be far stronger than dietary mint. There is very little research into the effect of dietary mint on the symptoms of allergies.

Mental Health & Behavioural Conditions

Stress:

Stress is one of the most common problems prevalent in today’s time and has been effecting youth and elderly alike. Rushed lifestyles, pressure, competition, there are a lot of reasons why people fall prey to stress. Most people suffer stress at some point in their lives. But reaching for a bottle of pills only masks the problem and doesn’t provide a solution. The active component menthol in Spearmint leaves acts as a natural tranquilizer. The sedative nature of the plant calms nerves and reduces anxiety. Inhaling Spearmint oil vapours or drinking the tea, facilitates the herb to bind with the benzodiazepine receptors in the brain, acting as a mild sedative and hypnotic agent. It also promotes the secretion of serotonin and melatonin hormones in the body that alleviates symptoms of chronic anxiety and stress and treats disorders like hysteria, nightmares, and insomnia.

Drinking Spearmint tea can not only help in soothing issues in your body, but it also has a soothing and almost sedative-like effect on your mind. This leads to a calm and relaxed state. Drinking warm to hot tea also helps you to relax. Spearmint tea helps you with natural stress relief as it contains menthol, one of the active ingredients in Spearmint. Drinking a cup of Spearmint tea can help reverse the damage that stress can cause in your body.

The plant leaves contain menthol, a compound known to sedate and relax the mind and body. Spearmint is thought to relieve stress by acting on a neurotransmitter in the brain known as gamma-Aminobutyric acid (GABA). By affecting GABA, Mentha spicata may decrease activity in your nervous system and relieve anxiety and insomnia related to stress. As such, the plant could be useful as a natural alternative to medications used to aid sleep, reduce anxiety, and improve mood. Spearmint tea may help promote relaxation and reduce stress. In fact, in South American countries, this tea is commonly used to treat stress and insomnia.

In one study in rats, a Spearmint extract was found to decrease stress and anxiety. Additionally, the leaves of this plant contain menthol, which has a relaxing, sedative effect on the body.

Chronic Stress:

Spearmint oil contains natural sedative and soothing properties, thanks to the essential oil present in it. Consumption of Spearmint oil improves the blood circulation in our body that means our body gets the proper amount of oxygen and nutrition; it is very helpful for our nervous system to work properly and fight with anxiety and stress. Studies have been proven that consumption of Spearmint oil can reduce the stress hormone from our bond and reduce the chronic stress.

Anxiety and Fear:

Steaming your face with a bowl of hot water and a handful of Spearmint leaves would invigorate your senses with its pungent fragrance that makes it find an important role in aromatherapy. Using oil extracted from Spearmint plant would help in relieving nervous issues, fatigue, headache, anxiety, and fear as it can ease the mind.

A prescribed dose of warm Spearmint tea can reduce stress and anxiety. Herbal teas have been proven to be the best in such circumstances. The menthol in Spearmint soothes and calms us down. So, whenever you feel stressed, have a cup full of warm Spearmint tea, and you will feel good again.

Depression:

Many people suffer from short-term depression and don’t want to take prescription drugs that only mask the problem. Short-term depression is caused by an event and is different from longterm clinical depression. If you’re sad about a loss or failure in life, drinking Spearmint tea can help to give you a boost of energy and improve your mood. The tea will help to clear your mind and help you think clearly. It can even help you to work through a problem that may be troubling you. And the natural compounds will work at your stomach upsets, which often trouble people who are sad.

Calming:

Mentha spicata tea is traditionally used to treat stress and insomnia. Animal research demonstrates how extracts of Spearmint appear to have anxiety-reducing, sedative and hypnotic effects. Research also shows that due to its menthol content, Spearmint may encourage relaxation by acting on GABA receptors. GABA is a neurotransmitter that helps send messages between the brain and nervous system. It is said to have a natural calming effect that helps to decrease feelings of of anxiety by reducing neuronal excitability.

For relax, diffuse 3–5 drops of Spearmint essential oil to clear your mind and refresh the air in your home or office.

Focus and Concentration:

Spearmint may be a solution in having a hard time concentrating. To take advantage of this benefit, brew Spearmint tea and sip it slowly, or make a homemade Spearmint humidifier by bringing a pot of water to a boil, adding the Spearmint and covering the pot. Bring the pot into the room you want to humidify and open the pot; the scent of peppermint will fill the room.

A study in The International Journal of Neuroscience found that Spearmint tea can increase focus and concentration.

What’s more, a study at The University of Cincinnati found that the scent of Spearmint was even more important than the actual consumption of the tea. Spearmint diffused in a room full of test-takers boosted their alertness and concentration, as the smell of menthol stimulates the hippocampus, which is brain’s memory center.

Neurological Health & Nerve Diseases

Improves Brain Function:

Spearmint oil enhances the hormone secretion and discharge of gastric juices, enzymes and bile and promotes blood circulation. It strengthens immune health by stimulating blood circulation and enhances immunity and removes toxins.

Sharpens Memory:

Spearmint tea is very effective in fighting free radicals and icrease the brain’s neurotransmitter activity. The neurotransmitter triggers concentration and focus that can improve memory and boost the overall health of the brain. There’s some evidence that this herb may help improve memory. Being a Medhya herb or one which has the power to nurture the functions of the brain, Spearmint oil can potentially uplift your spirits, grant a cooling effect on your brain, boost your immune power, normalize the metabolic functions and promote peaceful sleep with its encouraging and invigorating aroma.

Spearmint tea is beneficial to students who are studying for an exam, or for helping aging seniors to retain cognitive function and memories. There is a compound in the Spearmint that is called limonene. This has been found to counteract the negative effects that free radicals in the body can cause to your brain’s neurotransmitter activities. This can lead to improved memory, focus, and concentration, so you can remember facts more easily, and solve problems better. Drinking a cup of spearmint tea right before study time is best.

Studies have shown that mice given a spearmint extract experienced improved learning and memory as shown by their performance on a maze test. Previous studies in humans found that chewing mint-flavored gum may help improve memory. However, later studies have failed to confirm its beneficial effects.

Spearmint and Rosemary extracts have recently been found to improve memory. Prof. Susan Farr from Saint Louis University School of Medicine, has suggested that if antioxidants from Spearmint and Rosemary are made into an enhanced extract, they may help to improve learning and memory. This could help with age-related cognitive decline.

A 2018 double-blind, placebo-controlled study published in The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine took at look at how supplementation with Mentha spicata extract may benefit cognitive performance as well as mood and sleep for people with age-associated memory impairment (AAMI). 90 subjects with AAMI were randomly assigned to taking 900, 600 or 0 milligrams per day of Mentha spicata extract for 90 days. The study results reveal that subjects who took 900 milligrams per day of the herbal extract experienced a 15% improvement in memory while also seeing improvements in their ability to fall asleep. Overall, the study concludes that Spearmint extract may be a beneficial nutritional intervention for cognitive health in older subjects with AAMI. The participants who received 900 mg of spearmint supplement daily for a length of time reported they slept better and were more alert when awake. The researchers concluded that spearmint may be a beneficial nutritional remedy for improving cognitive health in senior adults with AAMI. Therefore, the evidence on the benefits of this type of mint for memory is limited but promising. The study concluded that the rosmarinic acid in Spearmint extract improved learning and memory. Some research points towards spearmint extract, rich in polyphenols like rosmarinic acid, benefiting memory, especially in older adults.

Whenever you feel like regaining your strength, enhancing your brain power and improving your memory skills, all you need to do is to 3 few drops of Spearmint essential oil with 1 drop of Rosemary oil to your diffusers or burners.

Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Diseases:

In the UK alone, an estimated 750,000 people live with cognitive conditions such as dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. If current trends continue, this number could double in the next 40 years as Britain’s population ages. Spearmint is an ancient and traditional remedy to increase the functioning of the brain. The potent antioxidants and polyphenols present in the leaves elevate the brain activity and helps in the secretion of mood-enhancing neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine. It also promotes memory capacity, concentration, focus, calmness, alertness of an individual. Hence, it can be considered as a brain booster and is extremely beneficial in treating psychotic conditions like depression, insomnia, and ailments like Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease.

A 2017 comparative study "Advanced Structure-activity Relationships Applied to Mentha spicata L. Subsp. spicata Essential Oil Compounds as AChE and NMDA Ligands, in Comparison with Donepezil, Galantamine and Memantine - New Approach in Brain Disorders Pharmacology" published in CNS Neurol Disord Drug Targets by Speranta Avram, Maria Mernea, Eyup Bagci, Lucian Hritcu, Livia-Cristina Borcan, Dan Florin Mihailescu, showed that inhibitors isolated from Mentha spicata L. subsp. spicata are promising for Alzheimer's disease therapy. The researches generated structure-activity relationship (SAR) models that predict the biological activities of 14 Mentha spicata L. subsp. spicata compounds on AChE and NMDA by comparing their molecular features with those of the three conventional ligands: donepezil, galantamine and memantine. The most relevant descriptors for predicting the biological activities of considered compounds are solvent accessible area and their subdivided, hydrophobicity, energy of frontier molecular orbitals and counts of the aromatic ring and rotatable bounds. 1,8-cineole, the main compound from Mentha spicata L. subsp. spicata essential oil, resulted to be similar with memantine and dissimilar with donepezil in respect to hidrophobicity (logP1,8-cineole = 2.95, logPmemantine = 2.81, logPdonepezil = 4.11), the energy of LUMO (eLUMO1,8-cineole = 3.01 eV, eLUMOmemantine = 3.35 eV, eLUMOdonepezil=-0.35 eV) and the solvent accessible surface areas over all hydrophobic (SA_H1,8-cineole = 350 Å2, SA_Hmemantine = 358 Å2, SA_Hdonepezil= 655 Å2) or polar atoms (SA_P1,8-cineole= 4 Å2, SA_Pmemantine = 10 Å2, SA_Pdonepezil = 44.62 Å2). The results point towards 1,8-cineole as a good candidate for NMDA antagonism, with a weaker AChE inhibitory effect. Our results may be useful in establishing new therapeutic strategies for neurological disorders.

Physical Health:

Daytime Fatigue:

It is a natural stimulant which helps to charge energy and brain functions at higher level. The essential oil might be helpful if one is feeling anxious, sluggish, exhausted or depressed. It could be applied topically, ingested and inhaled as vapor.

For best results, put few drops of Spearmint essential oil on pillow at night. Try sipping a cup of Spearmint tea and listening to your favorite song for a five-minute break during a hectic afternoon to get the most out of this benefit.

Sleep Disorders:

Drinking Spearmint tea before bed has been proven to give you a more restful sleep. Spearmint tea benefit actually stems from the menthol content of the herb as well. Not only does the relaxation of the muscles lead to more restful sleep, the tea has properties that can even help you dream more vividly.

Try having a cup of Spearmint tea while you read a chapter of a book in bed, far from television and phone screens. Reading can help your imagination get to work, and being away from screens will help you become calmer and able to rest.

Women's Health Issues:

Some believe that Spearmint tea benefits, like Peppermint tea benefits, include menstrual relief. The suggestion is that both types of herbal tea have antispasmodic properties, which can, in turn, soothe menstrual cramps in many women. However, this is where our honesty policy comes into play because few studies exist showcasing this particular tea’s capacity to relieve menstrual discomfort.

While this infusion might support those living with PCOS, there is little evidence indicating it can reduce pain when your “time-of-the-month” comes around. As such, until we know more, we support ongoing research with the hope of promising findings in the near-future.

Different studies have been proven that Spearmint oil is very effective in preventing the irregular periods, menstrual issues, early menopause andobstructed menses. It upgrades the hormone emission, for example, estrogen that encourages feminine cycle and advances sexual wellbeing and great uterine. It backs off the beginning of menopause and gives help from exhaustion, queasiness and agony in bringing down stomach locale. It slows down the onset of menopause and provides relief from fatigue, nausea and pain in lower abdominal region.

Balances Hormones:

The leaves of the Spearmint plant are widely used for treating PCOS or Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and other types of hormonal imbalance issues.The presence of potent organic compounds in this plant can stimulate the endocrine system in the body. This herb can improve the hormonal balance and avoid specific metabolic side effects, such as hirsutism, by lowering the excess levels of testosterone in women.

Drinking Spearmint tea regularly can show excellent results in regulating hormonal imbalance in women. Several scientific pieces of research claim that Spearmint consumption can effectively reduce male hormones like testosterone and elevate female hormones which are necessary for ovulation, like follicle-stimulating hormone (i.e. FSH), luteinizing hormone (i.e. LH), and oestradiol.

The antioxidants and flavonoids present in Spearmint tea also treat symptoms of cystic acne and irregular periods. The hormonal interactions within our body defines our appearance, behavior, mood and daily energy cycles. Spearmint tea is known for impacting the hormonal balances in our body which effects our overall growth and development both physical and mental.

In one 5-day study in 21 women with hormone imbalances, two cups of Spearmint tea a day decreased testosterone and increased LH, FSH and estradiol levels.

In another study in rats, Spearmint essential oil was found to decrease testosterone and ovarian cysts and increase the number of viable eggs in the rats’ ovaries.

Premenstrual Symptoms (PMS):

Women can suffer bad PMS due to an imbalance of hormones. The Spearmint tea not only can help decrease the hormones, it can also help to stop painful cramps during a menstrual period. It will soothe an upset stomach and provide a boost of energy for when women are feeling exhausted during these times of the month. It can also help to improve mood when you’re not feeling your best at this time of the month.

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS):

PCOS is a hormonal disorder that affects 1 in 10 women of reproductive age. PCOS stems from hormonal imbalances that cause irregular or prolonged menstrual periods. Women with PCOS have higher than normal levels of androgen (testosterone), a male hormone, which causes them to have trouble getting pregnant. It takes place when the egg is released from your ovary, which, during intercourse, may or may not lead to fertilisation. As established above, this beverage has the potential to reduce the symptoms of PCOS. This, indeed, includes stimulating the release of eggs. Background PCOS is one of the most common endocrine abnormalities in women. Due to the side effects of drugs, the tendency to use natural antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents to regulate metabolism, hyperinsulinemia, and hyperlipidemia in PCOS patients has been increased.

Birth control pills and progestin therapy are two common treatments for PCOS, but they both cause unwanted side effects. However, Mentha spicata can be an effective natural way to treat PCOS. Spearmint tea’s hormone-balancing abilities also might extend to ovulation, which most women will know is part of the menstrual cycle.

In a 30-day study, 42 women with PCOS were given Spearmint herbal tea daily. The herbal infusion was found to have enough anti-androgen effect to lower the level of testosterone linked to infertility in women with PCOS. The ability of Spearmint tea to lower testosterone levels in women was already confirmed in an earlier study and may help increase their chances of getting pregnant.

According to another Turkish study published in Phytotherapy Research. It involved 21 female volunteers with hirsutism, 12 of whom had polycystic ovary syndrome. Each participant received a cup of Spearmint tea twice daily for five days in the follicular phase of their menstrual cycle.

A 2020 literature review "The Role of medicinal herbs in treatment of insulin resistance in patients with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome" published in Biomol Concepts by Fatemeh Ashkar, Shahla Rezaei, Sara Salahshoornezhad, Farhad Vahid, Maryam Gholamalizadeh, Samaneh Mirzaei Dahka, Saeid Doaei, aimed to investigate the role of herbal substances on the treatment of PCOS. Methods The present review was carried out using keywords such as polycystic ovary syndrome and/or PCOS and/or herb. Databases including Web of Science, PubMed, and Science Direct were used to collect all related articles published from 1990 to 2019. We excluded studies unrelated to the PCOS and medical herbs. Results Overall, 361 records were identified through database searching. After primary screening and the full-texts assessment, 323 records were excluded, and 38 articles were finally included. The results indicate that some medicinal herbs may have a key role in treating PCOS. The compounds in these medical herbs can affect lipid profiles (Aloe vera, Chamomile, and Cinnamon), insulin resistance (Cinnamon, Chamomile, Aloe vera, and Camellia sinensis), blood glucose (Aloe vera, cinnamon, and Camellia sinensis), hormones (Aloe vera, silymarin, chamomile, fenugreek, Camellia sinensis, Heracleum persicum, Potentilla, Mentha spicata, Foeniculum vulgar, Licorice, and Marrubium), and ovarian tissue (Aloe vera, chamomile, Camellia sinensis, Mentha spicata, and silymarin). Conclusion Natural substances such as Aloe vera, cinnamon, green tea, fenugreek, and silymarin can be used as a new supportive care for PCOS. Further clinical trials are warranted to confirm their benefits and safety.

A 2010 randomized controlled trial "Spearmint herbal tea has significant anti-androgen effects in polycystic ovarian syndrome" published in Phytother Res. by Paul Grant consequent to elevated androgen levels leads to significant cosmetic and psychological problems. Recent research in Turkey has shown that Spearmint tea has antiandrogenic properties in females with hirsutism. No research has yet been undertaken to assess whether a reduction in androgen levels brought about by Spearmint tea, translates to a clinical improvement in the degree of hirsutism. This study was a two centre, 30 day randomized controlled trial. 42 volunteers were randomized to take Spearmint tea twice a day for a 1 month period and compared with a placebo herbal tea. At 0,15 and 30 days of the study serum androgen hormone levels and gonadotrophins were checked, the degree of hirsutism was clinically rated using the Ferriman-Galwey score and a questionnaire (the modified DQLI = Dermatology Quality of Life Index) was used to assess improvements in the level of self-reported hirsutism. 41 of 42 patients completed the study. Free and total testosterone levels were significantly reduced over the 30 day period in the Spearmint tea group (p < 0.05). LH and FSH also increased (p < 0.05).

Scientists concluded that all participants experienced a significant decrease in free (active) testosterone in the blood. Volunteers also saw an increase in several female hormones, including follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). Nevertheless, despite being good news for hirsutism and PCOS sufferers alike, it remains essential to seek proper medical treatment if you live with these conditions.

Hirsutism:

Hirsutism is a health problem for women in which hair grows excessively where it shouldn’t (such as on the jaw line and neck), and it also causes male pattern baldness. This condition is typically caused by an increase in male hormones called androgens, such as testosterone.

Evidence indicates that Spearmint tea benefits influence androgens, an essential type of hormone. The principle androgens are testosterone and androstenedione, which despite existing in men in greater quantities, are also found in women. These hormones have a close association with puberty. However, they also play small roles in the reproductive tract, bone, kidney, liver and muscle health. Having too much or too little androgen in the body, regardless of gender, can have adverse side effects. When there is too much, it can cause acne, hirsutism (excess hair growth in inappropriate places) and balding. When there is too little, it can lead to low libido (desire for sex), fatigue, depression and increased susceptibility to bone loss, osteoporosis and fractures. 

Spearmint tea, meanwhile, works as a hormone-balancer. In other words, it can bring androgen levels to a healthy level. When it comes to hair, in particular, a Turkish study provides the answers as to how this works. Regular consumption of Spearmint tea holds high significance in treating a condition called hirsutism, which is a condition where women develop dark, thick hair on unwanted places like above the lips, at the chin or jawline or on the chest or back. This is mostly caused due to the presence of high levels of testosterone in the body. A cup of Spearmint tea taken twice a day for a week is bound to show effective results in reducing the male hormones and treating hirsutism.

In fact, it’s a common herbal remedy for unwanted hair growth in Middle Eastern countries. High levels of male hormones, or androgens, are linked to an overgrowth of facial hair in women. Two studies in women with facial hair have shown that drinking Spearmint tea may help.

Researchers in Turkey conducted controlled experiments on 21 hirsute female patients by applying findings from previous tests on laboratory rats. The women drank Spearmint tea twice a day for five days as part of a specially designed program of treatment. The results showed that Spearmint has potential as an alternative to other forms of antiandrogenic treatment when hirsutism is in a mild form.

While the study was not long enough to determine whether Spearmint affected facial hair, the women’s testosterone levels were reduced. The report indicates that further testing is required to validate the results of the study prior to recommending Spearmint as a drug to reduce the incidence of hirsutism (excessive hair growth in women).

In a longer, 30-day study in 41 women with PCOS, women who drank two cups a day of Spearmint tea reported a reduction in their facial hair. However, 30 days may not be long enough to see a definitive difference. Hirsutism in women causes hair to grow on the face, breasts, and stomach. It can lead to a great deal of distress. The hair grows because of excessively high levels of the “male” androgen hormones.

A small scientific review published in 2017 reveals that Spearmint tea may help to decrease androgenic hormones for female patients with hirsutism. It saw 42 volunteers split into two groups, the first taking this herb twice-daily for a month with the second group receiving a placebo. Researchers checked the serum androgen hormone levels in participants on days 0, 15 and 30 of the 30-day project. Ultimately, they concluded that the herb group had a significant reduction in hirsutism.

A 2007 clinical trial "Effect of Spearmint (Mentha spicata Labiatae) teas on androgen levels in women with hirsutism" published in Phytother Res by Mehmet Akdoğan, Mehmet Numan Tamer, Erkan Cüre, Medine Cumhur Cüre, Banu Kale Köroğlu, Namik Delibaş, thought that consumption of tea steeped with Mentha spicata or Mentha piperita caused a diminished libido. Because antiandrogenic effects of Spearmint and peppermint were found previously in rats, it was decided to observe the effect of this herbal tea on the androgen levels in hirsute women.Twenty-one female hirsute patients, 12 with polycystic ovary syndrome and 9 with idiopathic hirsutism were included to the study. They were took a cup of herbal tea which was steeped with Mentha spicata for 5 days twice a day in the follicular phase of their menstrual cycles. After treatment with Spearmint teas, there was a significant decrease in free testosterone and increase in luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone and estradiol. There were no significant decreases in total testosterone or dehydroepiandrostenedione sulphate levels. Spearmint can be an alternative to antiandrogenic treatment for mild hirsutism. Further studies are needed to test the reliability of these results and the availability of Spearmint as a drug for hirsutism.

Nausea and Vomiting During Pregnancy (Morning Sickness):

Pregnant women can drink a cup of Spearmint tea to get better relief from morning sickness and to prevent nausea. The tea is good at prevent morning sickness in pregnant women, and can ease nausea and vomiting. This is due to its anti-inflammatory properties that can help the stomach to settle down. This is beneficial when hormonal imbalances due to pregnancy can cause digestive upsets and nausea.

Sexual Health:

Sterility and Impotency:

There are mixed opinions regarding this treatment with mint. Some say that use of menthol for prolonged time causes sterility lowering the ability of woman to conceive by interfering with ova production and eliminating these gametes. It is due to its insecticidal and germicidal properties of herb which is helpful for health.

A research shows that the men who smoke menthol cigarettes are prone to suffer from impotence than those who smoke normal cigarettes. Other group suggest that Mint is used for treating sterility in females. Research must be conducted on effects of Spesrmint in both female sterility and male impotency.

Pain & Inflammation:

Drinking Spearmint tea can reduce something as simple as a bad headache. It can also help to soothe aches and pains in your body, including the joints. There are anti-inflammatory compounds in this plant that can also decrease inflammation that leads to skin conditions, such as eczema or psoriasis. It is also very useful in soothing sore throats and indigestion by relaxing the spasming muscles of the gut.

Headache:

A long and tiring day can lead to an uncontrolled and unmanagable headache. To counteract this, we tend to indulge in a strong dose of caffeine, which has even more adverse effects.I suggest you go for peppermint tea that will satisfy your need to have tea, without having to consume caffeine.

There might be a several reasons behind headaches such as cold, migraine or tension. Spearmint oil contains anti-inflammation and pain relieving properties, which is very beneficial for relive the pain of headaches. Due to the presence of cooling and soothing effect of Spearmint Oil, it is used as a home remedy for headaches for thousands of years. Apart from these Spearmint Oil also contain potassium, which helps to improve the blood circulation in our body, as we all know blood carry oxygen and nutrition. Due to increase of blood flow to the brain, brain got more oxygen and nutrition, which help in reducing the headaches and proper functioning of the brain.

A review of 19 other studies showed that while the evidence for using herbal remedies for migraine is inconsistent, the effect of menthol (the key ingredient in Spearmint) may be positive.

Research in 2016 found that applying diluted Spearmint oil onto the forehead can be an effective remedy for a tension headache.

Reduces Inflammation:

Spearmint oil contain essential oil, it has anti-inflammatory and pain soothing properties, which is very good for our body to reduce inflammation and pain.

Cardiovascular Diseases (CVD):

Spearmint leaves have high levels of potassium that are important to keep the blood pressure under healthy levels. The presence of potassium in this herb acts like a vasodilator and removes the stress from your arteries and blood vessels to enhance the health of the cardiovascular system. This potherb also can lower the risks of developing heart attacks, strokes, and atherosclerosis.

Studies have been proven that consumption of Spearmint oil on a regular basis can improve the blood circulation and reduce the strain on our blood vessels. It also prevents various types of heart related problem such as heart attack, heart stroke, etc.

High Blood Pressure (Hypertension):

Spearmint may help lower high blood pressure. Stretched work hours and no time for personal leisure have made us all susceptible to high blood pressure. It isn’t even surprising nowadays to stumble across a few teenage high blood pressure patients as well. Opting for medicines all the time is not preferred, especially with such young cases. Spearmint tea to the rescue the relaxing properties of menthol in Spearmint tea help in making our body tension-free, hence controlling high blood pressure. It has been proven that the oral administration of menthol can reduce the 24-hour mean arterial systolic and diastolic blood pressure.

Though human studies on this potential property are unavailable, some scientific evidence suggests that this herb may have beneficial effects in this regard. A compound in Spearmint called (-)-carvone has been shown to act similarly to calcium-channel blockers, medications used to treat high blood pressure.

In fact, in one animal study, (-)-carvone was shown to be 100 times more potent at reducing blood vessel contractions than verapamil, a commonly used blood pressure medication.

Cholesterol Levels:

We all relate to the low cholesterol cooking advertisements, which become much more relevant when there is a risk of high cholesterol to one of our beloved family members. Various research shows that Spearmint reduces the glucose and cholesterol levels in our body.

Hematologic Diseases:

Blood Circulation:

Besides the iron which helps the circulatory system, which is necessary for the body’s production of red blood cells and hemoglobin, improves the energy levels, heals wounds faster and ensures that the blood circulation is enhanced in all parts of your body. Spearmint also contains high levels of potassium. Potassium is essential for maintaining healthy blood pressure in the body, and is also a vasodilator. This means that it helps the blood vessels and arteries to naturally function. Heart conditions, such as heart attacks, strokes, and atherosclerosis, will be prevented when blood can freely flow through vessels and arteries.

Spearmint can naturally benefit the circulatory system. A higher boost of iron in the blood will help to prevent anemia. Your body’s circulation will also increase after consuming Spearmint. There are also additional benefits when you improve the circulatory system in your body, including boosting your energy levels and having a well-functioning wound healing abilities.

Oral Diseases:

Spearmint is often used in toothpaste, mouth fresheners, chewing gums and mouthwashes, as its aromatic properties can keep the bad breath away and cleans tongue and teeth. The mint flabbier helps to reduce the bad breath and give you sweet smell that increases your personality. Anti-bacterial properties help to treat different types of dental disease such as cavities, dental plaque, gingivitis, etc. It has both antimicrobial and antibacterial properties, which can protect the mouth and throat from all kinds of infections. The organic compounds present in this potherb can also prevent damage of gum and maintains dental health. Halitosis or bad breath is caused by the bacterial build-up in the gums, which is eradicated by chewing few Spearmint leaves often.

Bad Breath (Halitosis):

Spearmint is a popular flavoring agent in toothpaste, breath mints, chewing gums and other dental hygiene products. The potent antibacterial and antimicrobial properties in Spearmint are highly beneficial in treating mouth sores, bad breath, and dental infections.

Somewhat unsurprisingly, this beverage fights bad breath due to its bold, minty flavour. A little more surprising is the fact that it boasts antibacterial properties which kill germs in the mouth, thus preventing halitosis. We’ve all brushed our teeth with minty toothpaste or chewed a stick of gum before a much-anticipated date. It’s one of the oldest tricks in the book which is common courtesy more than anything. Rub mint directly on teeth and gums for refreshing mouth and kill harmful growth of bacteria. However, it does more than freshen your breath. It also has antibacterial and antimicrobial properties, which may help kill the bacteria in your mouth that cause bad breath.

To make a Spearmint mouth rinse, add one drop of Spearmint to a 4 oz. glass of water for a cooling mouth rinse (do not swallow).

Gingivitis:

Spearmint is often an ingredient in toothpaste and mouthwashes that helps to fight off the bacteria, keep your breath smell better and prevent halitosis. Even gum disease can be caused by bacteria, so it will work to control the bacterial population in your mouth and inside your gums that can lead to bad gum disease. It effectively kills the bad bacteria which causes gum infection and treats tooth decay and gingivitis. Spearmint oil is also very important in inhibiting the growth of various bacterial strains in the body.

Infections:

Antibacterial (Streptococcus mutans):

A 2023 study "Inhibitory Activity of Essential Oils of Mentha spicata and Eucalyptus globulus on Biofilms of Streptococcus mutans in an In Vitro Model" publihed in Antibiotics (Basel), by Guillermo Ernesto Landeo-Villanueva, María Elena Salazar-Salvatierra, Julio Reynaldo Ruiz-Quiroz, Noemi Zuta-Arriola, Benjamín Jarama-Soto, Oscar Herrera-Calderon, Josefa Bertha Pari-Olarte, Eddie Loyola-Gonzales, evaluate the inhibitory activity of the commercially available essential oils of Mentha spicata (spearmint) and Eucalyptus globulus (eucalyptus) on Streptococcus mutans ATCC 25175 biofilms in vitro, emulating dental plaque conditions. The composition of the essential oils (EOs) was determined using gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS), with the main metabolites being Carvone (57.93%) and Limonene (12.91%) for Mentha spicata and 1,8-Cineole (Eucalyptol) (65.83%) for Eucalyptus globulus. The inhibitory activity was evaluated using the methods of agar-well diffusion and colorimetric microdilution. The inhibition halos were 18.3 ± 0.47 mm and 27.0 ± 0.82 mm, and the MICs were 1.8484 mg/mL and 1.9168 mg/mL for the EOs of Mentha spicata and Eucalyptus globulus, respectively. The activity against the biofilms was evaluated on a substrate of bovine enamel pieces using a basal mucin medium (BMM) in anaerobic conditions with daily sucrose exposition cycles in order to emulate oral cavity conditions. The EOs were applied in a concentration of 0.5% in a sterile saline vehicle with 1% polysorbate 20. After 72 h of cultivation, a significant reduction was observed (p < 0.001%) on the biofilm biomass, which was evaluated by its turbidity in suspension and using a count of the recoverable organisms with regards to the control. The effects of the Eos were not significantly distinct from each other. The EOs showed antimicrobial activity against both the Streptococcus mutans planktonic and biofilm cultures. Thus, EOs may have great potential for the development of pharmaceutical and sanitary products for oral health.

Antibacterial (Salmonella typhimurium, Escherichia, Listeria monocytogenes):

Studies have found that Spearmint essential oil is effective against several types of harmful bacteria. It has also been shown to fight food-borne pathogenic bacteria like Salmonella typhimurium, Escherichia coli and Listeria.

A 2015 study "Mentha spicata Essential Oil: Chemical Composition, Antioxidant and Antibacterial Activities against Planktonic and Biofilm Cultures of Vibrio spp. Strains" published in Molecules by Mejdi Snoussi, Emira Noumi, Najla Trabelsi, Guido Flamini, Adele Papetti, Vincenzo De Feo, where a total of 63 chemical constituents were identified in spearmint oil using GC/MS, constituting 99.9% of the total identified compounds. The main components were carvone (40.8% ± 1.23%) and limonene (20.8% ± 1.12%). The antimicrobial activity against 30 Vibrio spp. strains (16 species) was evaluated by disc diffusion and microdilution assays. All microorganisms were strongly affected, indicating an appreciable antimicrobial potential of the oil. Moreover, the investigated oil exhibited high antioxidant potency, as assessed by four different tests in comparison with BHT. The ability of the oil, belonging to the carvone chemotype, to inhibit or reduce Vibrio spp. biofilm warrants further investigation to explore the use of natural products in antibiofilm adhesion and reinforce the possibility of its use in the pharmaceutical or food industry as a natural antibiotic and seafood preservative against Vibrio contamination.

A 2001 study by The Central Laboratory, Lotte Company Ltd, Urawa, Saitama, Japan proved the effectiveness of Spearmint essential oil in inhibiting the growth of pathogenic bacteria with its potential antibacterial agents.

Antimicrobial:

Drink a cup of Spearmint tea every morning to avoid getting a cold and prevent symptoms of viral fever. Research has shown that Mentha spicata essential oil has potent antimicrobial abilities, which means it can help prevent the spread of bacteria, fungi and even some viruses.

A 2021 study "Chemical compositions, radical scavenging capacities and antimicrobial activities in seeds of Satureja hortensis L. and Mentha spicata L. subsp. spicata from Turkey" published in Braz J Biol by Emre, M Kurşat, Ö Yilmaz, P Erecevit determined some biological compounds, radical scavenging activity and antimicrobial capacity in seeds of Satureja hortensis L. and Mentha spicata L. subsp. spicata. Alpha-linolenic acid (C18:3 n3) has been found to be the major polyunsaturated fatty acid of Satureja hortensis L. (66.24 ± 1.24%) and Mentha spicata L. subsp. spicata (48.17 ± 1.01%). Linoleic acid (C18:2 n6) is identified as the second major polyunsaturated fatty acid in the present study and oleic acid (C18:1 n9) is determined as the major monounsaturated fatty acid. Current study showed that Satureja hortensis L. and Mentha spicata L. subsp. spicata have low levels of saturated fatty acids. It has been demonstrated that ergosterol (263.1 ± 2.14 µg/g), stigmasterol (39.07 ± 0.91 µg/g) and beta-sitosterol (14.64 ± 0.49 µg/g) have been found in Mentha spicata L. subsp. spicata, while ergosterol (69.41 ± 1.75 µg/g) and beta-sitosterol (19.81 ± 1.14 µg/g) have been determined in Satureja hortensis L. Also, this study determined that Satureja hortensis L. and Mentha spicata L. subsp. spicata have low lipide-soluble vitamin content. Furthermore, it has been found that Satureja hortensis L. contains naringenin (612.57 ± 2.57 µg/g), morin (86.97 ± 1.12 µg/g), quercetin (22.87 ± 0.75 µg/g), and kaempferol (20.11 ± 0.94 µg/g) while naringenin (135.91 ± 1.91 µg/g), naringin (61.23 ± 2.15 µg/g) and quercetin (47.51 ± 1.17 µg/g) have been detected as major flavonoids in the seeds of Mentha spicata L. subsp. spicata. The results of the present study suggest that methanol extracts of Satureja hortensis L. and Mentha spicata L. subsp. spicata have significant free radical scavenging activity. The present results revealed that Satureja hortensis L. and Mentha spicata L. subsp. spicata showed major activity against gram-positive and gram-negative microorganisms, fungi and yeast.

Antimicrobial (Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Serratia marcescens, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes):

Infectious diseases are caused by various multidrug-resistant pathogenic bacteria and in recent scenarios, nanoparticles have been used as innovative antimicrobial agents.

A 2023 study "Interactions of Chitosan-coated Green Synthesized Silver Nanoparticles using Mentha spicata and Standard Antibiotics against Bacterial Pathogens" published in Curr Pharm Biotechnol., by Habib Khan, Saiqa Andleeb, Tayba Nisar, Zahid Latif, Sadaf Azad Raja, Uzma Azeem Awan, Kiran Maqbool, Sadia Khurshid, aimed to evaluate the bactericidal effect of chitosan-coated green synthesized silver nanoparticles using aqueous extract of Mentha spicata (MSaqu) against bacterial pathogens, i.e., Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Serratia marcescens, Staphylococcus aureus, and Streptococcus pyogenes. Synthesis and characterization of silver nanoparticles (MSAgNPs) were carried out via atomic absorption spectrometer and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. Agar well and agar disc diffusion methods were used to assess the antibacterial and synergistic effect of chitosanmediated biogenic silver nanoparticles and standard antibiotics. Three types of interactions, i.e., antagonistic (↓), synergistic (↑), and additive (¥) were observed. Synergistic effect was recorded against Pseudomonas aeruginosa (8.5±0.25 mm↑), Serratia marcescens (19.0±1.0 mm↑), and Klebsiela pneumonia (8.5±0.25 mm↑), an additive effect was exhibited by Escherichia coli (9.0±0.0 mm¥), Streptococcus pyogenes (10.0±0.0 mm¥), and Staphylococcus aureus (7.5±0.25 mm↓) and they showed antagonistic effects when chitosan-coated silver nanoparticles (CLMSAgNPs) were applied compared to chitosan, MSaqu, and MSAgNPs. Interesting antibacterial results were recorded when chitosan-coated Mentha spicata extract and silver nanoparticles were applied along with antibiotics. The synergistic effects of chitosan-coated silver nanoparticles (CLMSAgNPs) + K were recorded against E. coli (14.5±0.25 mm). The synergistic effects of chitosan-coated silver nanoparticles (CLMSAgNPs) + AML were recorded against E. coli (5.5±0.0 mm), S. pyogenes (10.0±0.0 mm), K. pneumonia (5.5±0.0 mm), and S. aureus (4.0±0.0 mm). The synergistic effects of chitosan-coated silver nanoparticles (CLMSAgNPs) + NOR were recorded against E. coli (16.0±0.0 mm), P. aeruginosa (19.0±0.0 mm), S. marcescens (19.5±0.25 mm), S. pyogenes (11.5.0±0.25 mm), K. pneumonia (23.0±0.0 mm), and S. aureus (8.5±0.25 mm). Current findings concluded that chitosan-coated biogenic silver nanoparticles have potential bactericidal effects against infectious pathogens and could be used as forthcoming antibacterial agents.

Antifungal (Candida albicans):

A 2021 study "Antifungal activity of essential oil from Mentha spicata L. and Mentha pulegium L. growing wild in Sardinia island (Italy)" published in Nat Prod Res by A Piras, S Porcedda, D Falconieri, A Maxia, Mj Gonçalves, C Cavaleiro, L Salgueiro aims to evaluate the antifungal activity of Mentha spicata L. and Mentha pulegium L. from Sardinia and to assess their efficacy on virulence factors for Candida albicans, particularly on the inhibition of the germ tube formation. The major compounds of the essential oils were carvone 62.9% for Mentha spicata and pulegone 86.2% for Mentha pulegium. The essential oil from Mentha spicata showed a more preeminent effect against Cryptococcus neoformans and the dermatophytes Trichophyton rubrum and T. verrucosum (0.32 μL/mL). Both oils were very effective in inhibiting C. albicans germ tube formation, at doses well below their MIC (0.16 μL/mL). 

A 2011 study on "Antifungal activity of Spearmint essential oil" also talks about its effectiveness in treating fungal infections.

Liver Disorders:

Liver Enzymes:

A 2022 study "Combined impact of lemongrass and spearmint herbs on performance, serum metabolites, liver enzymes, and meat quality of broiler" published in J Adv Vet Anim Res., by Md Aliar Rahman, Sabiha Sultana, Md Rahat Ahmad Redoy, Momota Rani Debi, Rakhi Chowdhury, Mohammad Al-Mamun, aimed to assess the influence of feeding fresh Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) or Spearmint (Mentha spicata) and their combination on performance, serum metabolites, liver enzymes, and meat quality in broilers. A total of 168 day-old Indian River chicks were arbitrarily offered four experimental rations: (i) control ration (CT-R): corn-soya-based ration, (ii) lemongrass ration (LG-R): CT-R + 1.0% DM of lemongrass; (iii) spearmint ration (SM-R): CT-R + 1.0% DM of spearmint; and (iv) lemongrass-spearmint ration (LS-R): CT-R + 0.5% DM from both lemongrass and spearmint. Each ration was given to 42 birds for a duration of 35 days, with 3 replications and 14 birds each. Elevated body weight gain was observed in LG-R (1,502 gm), LS-R (1,492 gm), and SM-R (1,474 gm) compared to CT-R (1,451 gm) (p = 0.078). Herbal rations successfully reduced almost 3%-5% of serum and meat total cholesterol concentrations compared to CT-R. Compared to CT-R, the highest zinc and iron concentrations of serum and meat were measured in LG-R and SM-R, respectively, while both minerals of serum and meat were observed to be better in LS-R (p < 0.05). Herbal rations significantly improved serum liver enzyme activity and ameliorated the red color of breast and thigh meat but failed to improve the lightness and yellowness of both types of meat compared to CT-R. LG-R, SM-R, and LS-R improved bird performance, liver health, and meat color, and lowered serum and meat cholesterol levels. But among them, LS-R efficaciously increased the serum and meat zinc and iron concentrations.

Nicotine-Induced Toxicity:

Spearmint oil is highly rich in antioxidant, which is very helpful in fighting against free radicals and prevents our organ from oxidative damage, especially the liver. As we already discussed Spearmint Oil have antibacterial and antiseptic properties, so consumption of Spearmint oil on a regular basis can prevent infection in the liver.

A 2018 study "Protective effects of Mentha spicata against nicotine-induced toxicity in liver and erythrocytes of Wistar rats" published in Appl Physiol Nutr Metab by Anouar Ben Saad, Ilhem Rjeibi, Hichem Alimi, Sana Ncib, Talel Bouhamda, Nacim Zouari was to investigate the protective effect of Mentha spicata supplementation against nicotine-induced oxidative damage in the liver and erythrocytes of Wistar rats. Bioactive substances were determined by liquid chromatography - electrospray ionization - tandem mass spectrometry analysis. Animals were divided into 4 groups of 6 rats each: a normal control group, a nicotine-treated group (1 mg/kg), a group receiving Mentha spicata extract (100 mg/kg), and a group receiving both Mentha spicata extract (100 mg/kg) and nicotine (1 mg/kg). Many phenolic acids were identified in the Mentha spicata aqueous extract. After 2 months of treatment, nicotine induced an increase in the level of white blood cells and a marked decrease in erythrocytes, hemoglobin, and haematocrit. Aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, and lactate dehydrogenase activities were also found to be higher in nicotine-treated group than those of the control group. Furthermore, nicotine-treated rats exhibited oxidative stress, as evidenced by a decrease in antioxidant enzymes activities and an increase in lipid peroxidation level in liver and erythrocytes. Interestingly, the oral administration of Mentha spicata extract by nicotine-treated rats alleviated such disturbances. Mentha spicata contained bioactive compounds that possess important antioxidant potential and protected liver and erythrocytes against nicotine-induced damage.

Bone & Muscle Related Disorders:

Arthritis:

Spearmint may help relieve joint pain caused by arthritis.

A large review study of both animal and human studies concluded that essential oils made from this mint had pain-relieving effects.

In one 16-week study in 62 people with arthritis of the knee, regular Spearmint tea consumed twice daily reduced stiffness and physical disability, while a Spearmint tea high in rosmarinic acid relieved the same symptoms and reduced pain.

Osteoarthritis:

Osteoarthritis, as the major cause of chronic musculoskeletal pain, impacts people aged 45 and above. The first line analgesic treatments have reported minimal short term effects. The use of essential oils as pain killer has increased, recently. Mentha spicata, or Spearmint essential oil is famous due to its anti-flatulence effects, but one less known biological activity of Spearmint is its analgesic activity.

A 2017 study "Mentha spicata as natural analgesia for treatment of pain in osteoarthritis patients" published in Complement Ther Clin Pract by Mohaddese Mahboubi confirm the analgesic effects of Mentha spicata essential oil. Different animal studies have reported the analgesic effects of Mentha spicata essential oil and its main abundant compounds such as carvone, limonene and menthol, also, the efficacy and safety of Spearmint oil in reducing of pain severity were confirmed in osteoarthritis patients. In spite of the beneficial effects of Spearmint oil in reducing of pain, other large clinical trials are required to confirm the efficacy and safety of Mentha spicata oil.

Relax Muscles:

Spearmint essential oil has menthol content which provides a cooling and relaxing effect on the muscles and nerves. It helps to relax spasms and calms down its contractions. It provides relief from restlessness, uneasiness, aches, spasmodic coughs, indigestion, stomachaches, vomiting, chest pain, aches and pulling sensations in intestines and abdominal regions. It is able to soothe cramps, muscle strains, spasmodic cholera and nervous convulsions.

Injuries:

Wounds:

Spearmint oil acts as an antiseptic for ulcers and wounds that prevents it from infections and being septic. It also assists the healing process of wounds. Myrcene, menthol and caryohyllene are the components which act as antiseptic properties. Due to the Spearmint oil is used in different ointment and cream for treating wounds, cuts, burns, insect bites, abrasions, sores and scrapes. You can directly use Spearmint oil on your wound, it will increase the healing process and the natural pain relieving properties help to reduce the pain.

Skin & Hair Condition and Care:

Spearmint oil is an antipruritic and antiseptic. Mint juice acts as a great skin cleanser. It soothes skin and cures infections as well as itchiness. Moreover, it helps to reduce pimples by providing relief from acne symptoms. It has anti-pruritic properties which help to treat insect bites of honeybees, mosquitoes, wasps, hornets and gnats. It has cooling sensation which provides relief from irritation, urge to scratch and due to its anti-inflammatory properties, it lowers the swelling.

Due to the presence of antioxidant and antibacterial properties in Spearmint oil, it is very good for our skin and prevents various types of skin related issues. The antioxidant helps to fight against free radical and prevent oxidant damage to our skin cells; it is the main cause of various types of skin related disease such as wrinkles, dark sport, signs of aging, etc. The antibacterial properties help to protect our skin from foreign invaders such as virus and bacteria, which is the main cause of various types of bacterial infection, such as acne, sore, etc.

Adding few drops of Spearmint essential oil to your skin care cream or lotion will aid in treating scabies, itches, athlete’s foot, dermatitis, acne, syphilis, insect bites, wounds and skin ulcers. As a cleansing facial treatment, put2-3 drops of Spearmint on a warm wet washcloth and press it to your face just after cleansing for a rejuvenating skin treatment.

Augments Skin:

Enriched with antioxidants, Spearmint is quintessential in shielding the skin from free radical damage and providing relief from allergic conditions like psoriasis, eczema, acne, sunburn, rosacea, etc. The natural polyphenols and phytochemicals in it also arrest the various signs of aging like wrinkles, fine lines, dark spots, etc. and imparts a radiant and blemish-free natural glow to the skin.

Whitenings Skin:

Spearmint is very rich in anti oxidants which is very beneficial for skin. Drinking Spearmint tea can cure skin problems such as acne, dark spots, dullness and wrinkles. Therefore, Spearmint tea leaves are also used for face packs and face massages and also in preparing for drugs and ointments.

Lightens Marks:

What bothers most women is definitely the marks that pimples leave. In case you are one of them, you need to use mint to lessen the marks. Mix oats with mint juice and put it on along the length of your skin. Not only can the marks lighten but additionally eliminate the dead cells blocking along that portion. It is really an incredible method of getting rid of the scars.

Cracked Heels:

If you’ve been struggling with cracked and rough heels, you need to preferably use mint leaves soaked in boiling water and dip your feet in it. Within no time the cracked heels will soften and they’ll look pretty. This complete soaking can give an fragrant effect, assisting you to relax.

Blackheads:

If you’ve been struggling with blackheads since long, then you need to use mint leaves to sort the issue. Apply mint leaves along areas in your face which are vulnerable to blackheads. Let it rest on for around fifteen minutes just before washing the face off. The blackheads will probably be eliminated after a period of time.

Skin Irritation:

The Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS) advise that peppermint oil may cause skin irritation and redness. They recommend that parents or carers do not apply the ointment directly to the chest or face of a child due to serious possible side effects after direct inhalation. Spearmint oil is widely used for calming skin irritation and itchiness, as well as reducing redness. However, a person should always dilute it before using it on the skin.

According to The National Association of Holistic Aromatherapy, a good recipe is 1 ounce (oz) of carrier oil, such as mineral or Olive oil, mixed with 3–6 drops of the essential oil. Before use, test a small amount of the diluted oil on the forearm to rule out an allergic reaction.

Acne:

Acne is caused mainly by oil and bacteria trapped under the skin. Other causes include hormonal imbalances due to excess of the male hormone known as androgen. Common acne treatments include antibiotics and topical medications such as benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid. There is no single cure for acne, a skin condition that occurs when hair follicles become clogged with oil and dead skin cells. This often leads to a break-out in whiteheads, blackheads or pimples, which usually appear on the face, forehead, chest, upper back and shoulders. Despite most commonly affecting teenagers, acne exists in people of all ages.

Studies indicate that Spearmint tea may be a natural remedy for acne since it has the ability to lower the level of the male hormone. Additionally, Spearmint has antibacterial and antimicrobial agents that can kill bacteria under the skin that causes acne. Although it can’t “cure” acne, there is evidence to indicate it might help.

This is according to a 2015 study conducted by The American Academy of Dermatology. It noted that two cups daily reduced inflammatory acne lesions by 25% after one month and by 51% after three months. Its anti-inflammatory properties, which, it’s worth noting, also contribute to other Spearmint tea benefits.

For those struggling with acne issues, there’s nothing like mint leaf juice to assist you cure the problem. Mint leaf juice is full of Vitamin A, therefore reducing oiliness in the skin. Combine mint leaf juice and rose water and put it on in your face. Leave it on for 20 minutes before washing your face off. The acne will probably be cured progressively.

Head Lice:

In case you are infected by lice in your hair, mint oil is a straightforward method of getting rid of this challenge. You need to massage the hair effectively along with mint oil a minimum of 3-4 times per week. It is just a natural repellant towards such insects. In a period of time, the hair will probably be cleaned off the insects and also lice.

Diabetes Mellitus:

Warm Spearrmint tea has been found to be effective in controlling diabetes. The phenolic compounds found in the mint plant and their antioxidant properties help in controlling type 2 diabetes. They even contribute to sustaining the plasmatic antioxidant levels and preventing vascular diseases that accompany type 2 diabetes. Spearmint tea may help lower blood sugar.

Blood Sugar:

While human-based studies on this potential effect are lacking, animal studies have shown promising results. In one study, rats were given a Spearmint extract equivalent to 9 mg per pound (20 mg per kg) of body weight per day. While healthy rats appeared unaffected, rats with diabetes had significantly lower blood sugar.

In another 21-day study in rats with diabetes, animals given 136 mg per pound (300 mg per kg) of body weight per day of this type of extract showed a 25% reduction in blood sugar.

Tumors & Cancers:

Studies show that daily intake of mint lowers the chances of cancer. It has cancer counteracting properties due to the presence of carotenoids and beta carotenoids found in mint. Carotenoids help to increase cell differential and protects cells against carcinogenic chemicals which could damage DNA. Vitamin A has anti-carcinogenic properties which are found in abundant amounts in mint that helps to prevent formation of tumor and cell proliferation.

"In vitro anticancer activity of extracts of Mentha Spp. against human cancer cells" of whole plants of Mentha arvensis, Mentha longifolia, Mentha spicata and Mentha viridis at concentration of 100 μg/ml was evaluated against eight human cancer cell lines (breast, colon, glioblastoma, lung, leukemia and prostate) using sulphorhodamine blue (SRB) assay. Methanolic extracts of above-mentioned Mentha Spp. displayed anti-proliferative effect in the range of 70-97% against four human cancer cell lines, however aqueous extracts were found to be active against HCT-116 and PC-3. The results indicate that Mentha Spp. contain certain constituents with cytotoxic properties which may find use in developing anticancer agents.

In vitro research published in 2018 in BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine highlights the ability of Spearmint oil (which has at least 44 unique compounds) to have antiproliferative effects against three human tumor cell lines.

Breast Cancer:

Breast cancer is one of the most common types of cancer in the world and current therapeutic strategies present severe drawbacks. l-carvone (CRV), a monoterpene found in Mentha spicata (Spearmint), has been reported to have potent anti-inflammatory activity.

A 2023 study "l-carvone decreases breast cancer cells adhesion, migration, and invasion by suppressing FAK activation" published in Chem Biol Interact., by Lucas Trevisan França de Lima, Fernando Augusto de Oliveira Ganzella, Gabriela Casani Cardoso, Verônica Dos Santos Pires, Andressa Chequin, Giulia Luiza Santos, Karin Braun-Prado, Claudia Martins Galindo, Odair Braz Junior, Marcelo Beltrão Molento, Alexandra Acco, Eliana Rezende Adami, Erico Tosoni Costa, Célia Regina Cavichiolo Franco, Giseli Klassen, Edneia Amancio de Souza Ramos, examined the role of CRV in breast cancer cell adhesion, migration and invasion in vitro and how this component could suppress the growth of Ehrlich carcinoma-bearing mice. In vivo, treatment with CRV significantly decreased tumor growth, increased tumor necrosis area, and reduced the expression of VEGF and HIF-1α in Ehrlich carcinoma-bearing mice. Furthermore, the anticancer efficacy of CRV was similar to currently used chemotherapy (Methotrexate), and the combination of CRV with MTX potentiated the chemotherapy effects. Further mechanistic investigation in vitro revealed that CRV modulates the interaction of breast cancer cells with the extracellular matrix (ECM) by disrupting focal adhesion, which was shown by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and immunofluorescence. Moreover, CRV caused a decrease in β1-integrin expression and inhibited focal adhesion kinase (FAK) activation. FAK is one of the most important downstream activators of several metastatic processes, including MMP-2 mediated invasion and HIF-1α/VEGF angiogenesis stimulus, both of which were found to be reduced in MDA-MB-231 cells exposed to CRV. Our results provide new insight about targeting β1-integrin/FAK signaling pathway with CRV, which could be a new potential agent in the treatment of breast cancer.

Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting (CINV):

One study published in The Indian Journal of Pharmacology showed that Spearmint tea significantly increased lipase activity of the pancreas and intestinal mucosa. Nausea and vomiting were reduced in a study in 200 people undergoing chemotherapy for cancer.

A 2013 randomised, double-blind clinical trial study "Antiemetic activity of volatile oil from Mentha spicata and Mentha × piperita in chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting" published in Ecancermedicalscience by Z Tayarani-Najaran 1, E Talasaz-Firoozi, R Nasiri, N Jalali, Mk Hassanzadeh aimed at determining the efficacy of Mentha spicata and Mentha × piperita in preventing chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. Prior to the study, patients were randomly assigned into four groups to receive Mentha spicata or Mentha × piperita. Statistical analysis included the χ(2) test, relative risk, and Student's t-test. Fifty courses were analysed for each group that met our eligibility criteria. The treatment and placebo groups applied essential oils of Mentha spicata, Mentha × piperita, or a placebo, while the control group continued with their previous antiemetic regimen. Patients or guardians recorded the number of emetic events, the intensity of nausea over 20 h of chemotherapy, as well as any possible adverse effects that occurred during this time. There was a significant reduction in the intensity and number of emetic events in the first 24 h with Mentha spicata and Mentha × piperita in both treatment groups (p < 0.05) when compared with the control and no adverse effects were reported. The cost of treatment was also reduced when essential oils were used. Mentha spicata or Mentha × piperita essential oils are safe and effective for antiemetic treatment in patients, as well as being cost effective.

Furthermore, it increased intestinal amylase activity. As well as aiding digestion overall, this extraordinary ability might mean that Spearmint tea combats problems such as cramping, bloating and constipation. Applying Spearmint essential oil on the skin may also be a promising natural therapy for nausea and vomiting brought on by chemotherapy. In addition to no adverse side effects being reported, the researchers also point out how the use of essential oils are very cost effective compared to traditional treatment options for chemotherapy side effects.

Human Cancer Cell Lines (Cytotoxicity):

A 2016 study "Evaluation of in vitro Cytotoxic Activity of Ocimum basilicum and Mentha spicata Extracts" published in Asian Journal of Pharmaceutical and Clinical Research by Sreenivasan Sasidharan, Jegathambigai Rameshwar Naidu, Manish Gunjan, evaluated the cytotoxicity of Ocimum basilicum against human cancer HL60 cell lines using 3 - [4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl] - 2,5 diphenyl tetrazolium bromide assay. Results showed inhibition of proliferation of HL60s cells in a concentration dependent manner with IC50 of 45.67 µg/ml.

Another in vitro study in 2014 showed similar anti-cancer properties of Spearmint as well as other members of the mint plant family against four cancer cell lines (COLO-205, MCF-7, NCI-H322 and THP-1). 

Endocrine Diseases:

Weight Loss:

Spearmint tea is a proven appetite suppressant, and the naturally sweet flavor of Spearmint means that a cup of the infusion can stand in perfectly for dessert, making it easier to stick to your healthy eating goals. You could also drink a blend of Spearmint tea and green tea first thing in the morning to increase your metabolism. The catechins in green tea are proven to help boost metabolism, and the two working together will make it easier to shed extra pounds.

While Spearmint tea doesn’t burn fat, drinking it can help your stomach to feel fuller and keep you from being tempted from drinking soft drinks. It works as a natural appetite suppressant. Since it calms and soothes the digestive system, it will better aid the body in absorbing nutrients, which is at a time when you may be reducing your consumption of food. It also works as a natural remedy replacement for many prescription drugs that can lead to additional weight gain.

Spearmint tea benefits might, according to the aforementioned research, offer support. Additionally, it’s worth noting that this beverage contains no more than two calories per 8-oz cup. This, of course, makes it an excellent alternative to sugary soft drinks, which in turn promotes weight loss. Although not proven outright, some believe that it can boost the metabolism of fat cells. This enables the body to burn fat quicker and more efficiently, which means periods of exercise produce better, indeed more noticeable results. However it’s essential to recognise that few studies exist surrounding the weight loss capabilities of Spearmint tea.

Antioxidants:

Spearmint, is widely used in both fresh and dry forms, for infusion preparation or in European and Indian cuisines. Recently, with the evolution of the tea market, several novel products with added value are emerging, and the standard lots have evolved to reserve lots, with special harvest requirements that confer them with enhanced organoleptic and sensorial characteristics. The apical leaves of these batches are collected in specific conditions having, then, a different chemical profile.

Regularly drinking freshly brewed Spearmint tea helps boost antioxidant levels in your body. Antioxidants are substances that remove free radicals in the body that can make you sick. Spearmint is found to have “good total phenolic and flavonoid contents” and “exhibited excellent antioxidant activity”, according to a report published in The Journal of Food Chemistry.

Saline stress is responsible for significant reductions in the growth of plants, and it globally leads to limitations in the performance of crops, especially in drought-affected areas. However, a better understanding of the mechanisms involved in the resistance of plants to environmental stress can lead to a better plant breeding and selection of cultivars. Mint is one of the most important medicinal plants, and it has important properties for industry, and for the medicinal and pharmacy fields. The effects of salinity on the biochemical and enzymatic properties of 18 ecotypes of mint from six different species, that is, Mentha piperita, Mentha mozafariani, Mentha rotundifolia, Mentha spicata, Mentha pulegium and Mentha longifolia, have been examined in this study.

A 2023 study "Functional Quality, Antioxidant Capacity and Essential Oil Percentage in Different Mint Species Affected by Salinity Stress" published in Chem Biodivers, by Seyyed Jaber Hosseini, Zeinolabedin Tahmasebi-Sarvestani, Ali Mokhtassi-Bidgoli, Hamed Keshavarz, Shahryar Kazemi, Masoumeh Khalvandi, Hematollah Pirdashti, Seyyed Hamidreza Hashemi-Petroudi, Silvana Nicola, showed that salinity increased with increasing in stress integrity influenced the enzymatic properties, proline content, electrolyte leakage, and the hydrogen peroxide, malondialdehyde, and essential oil contents. Cluster analysis and principal component analysis were conducted, and they grouped the studied species on the basis of their biochemical characteristics. According to the obtained biplot results, M. piperita and M. rotundifolia showed better stress tolerance than the other varieties, and M. longifolia was identified as being salt sensitive. Generally, the results showed that H2O2 and malondialdehyde had a positive connection with each other and showed a reverse relationship with all the enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants. Finally, it was found that the M. spicata, M. rotundifolia and M. piperita ecotypes could be used for future breeding projects to improve the salinity tolerance of other ecotypes.

In recent decades, there has been growing interest in the fortification of dairy products with antioxidants and phenolics derived from plant byproducts and herbs.

A 2023 study "Development of Dairy Products Fortified with Plant Extracts: Antioxidant and Phenolic Content Characterization" published in Antioxidants (Basel) by Aikaterini Kandyliari, Panagiota Potsaki, Panoraia Bousdouni, Chrysoula Kaloteraki, Martha Christofilea, Kalliopi Almpounioti, Andreani Moutsou, Chistodoulos K Fasoulis, Leandros V Polychronis, Vasileios K Gkalpinos, Andreas G Tzakos, Antonios E Koutelidakis, focused on the analysis of dairy products, including kefir, cream cheese, yogurt, and vegan yogurt, enhanced with aqueous extracts of plant byproducts (Citrus aurantium peel, Citrus limon peel and Rosa canina seed) and herbs (Sideritis spp., Hypericum perforatum, Origanum dictamnus, Mentha pulegium L., Melissa oficinallis, Mentha spicata L. and Lavandula angustifolia) to characterize their antioxidant content, phenolic profile, and organoleptic characteristics. Antioxidant and phenolic content were determined by Folin-Ciocalteu and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays and presented values up to 46.61 ± 7.22 mmol Fe2+/L and 82.97 ± 4.29 mg gallic acid (GAE)/g, respectively for the aqueous extracts, as well as up to 0.68 ± 0.06 mmol Fe2+/L and 2.82 ± 0.36 mg GAE/g for the fortified dairy products. The bioavailability of antioxidants and phenolics in fortified foods was determined after in vitro digestion and ranged between 4 and 68%. The phytochemical profile of the aqueous extracts was determined by mass spectrometry, and 162 phytochemicals were determined, from which 128 belong to the polyphenol family including flavonoids and phenolic acids. Furthermore, most of the identified compounds have been recorded to possess enhanced antioxidant capacity in correlation to the in vitro findings. Finally, organoleptic evaluation showed an overall acceptability around 3.0 ± 1.0 on a 5-point scale. In conclusion, the studied plants and herbal extracts can be used for the fortification of a variety of dairy products with potential positive effects on human health.

The cosmetics and food fields are based on the use of synthetic substances to protect their products against oxidation. However, synthetic antioxidants were reported to have negative effects on human health. The interest to develop natural antioxidants from plants has been growing in recent decades.

Another 2023 study "Physicochemical Characterization and Antioxidant Properties of Essential Oils of M. pulegium (L.), M. suaveolens (Ehrh.) and M. spicata (L.) from Moroccan Middle-Atlas" published in Foods, by Nadia Zekri, Hanane Elazzouzi, Atika Ailli, Aman Allah Gouruch, Fatima Zahrae Radi, Mohammed Alaoui El Belghiti, Touriya Zair, Gema Nieto, Juan A Centeno, José M Lorenzo, determine the antioxidant properties of three essential oils (EOs) of Mentha pulegium (L.), Mentha suaveolens (Ehrh.) and Mentha spicata (L.) from the Azrou and Ifrane regions. The organoleptic characteristics, yields and physical properties were determined for the selected EOs. Their chemical compositions were identified using GC-MS; then, their antioxidant activities were evaluated using the DPPH• free radical scavenging activity and were compared with the ascorbic acid standard. The determined physicochemical parameters of dry matter and EOs demonstrated their good quality. The analysis of the EOs showed the dominance of pulegone (68.86-70.92%) and piperitenone (24.81%), piperitenone oxide (74.69-60.3%), and carvone (71.56-54.79%) and limonene (10.5-9.69%) for M. pulegium, M. suaveolens and M. spicata, respectively, from Azrou and Ifrane. Additionally, the antiradical tests demonstrated the remarkable power of these EOs, especially M. pulegium EO (IC50 = 15.93 mg/mL), which recorded the best activity compared with ascorbic acid (IC50 = 8.849 mg/mL). The obtained results indicated that these EOs could be applied as natural antioxidants in the food industry.

There are many among us who fall sick even with slight exposure to a change in weather, or if they come in contact with someone who is sick, those people who have a really weak immune system. Warm Spermint tea has antibacterial properties that cure fevers, coughs, and colds. Having this soothing drink regularly will not only kill the germs causing different ailments, but it will also prevent bacteria from entering your body, hence preventing future diseases. The vitamin B, antioxidants, calcium, and potassium present in the Spearmint leaf extract work as antibodies to fight off serious ailments and keep you healthy and happy.

Spearmint tea has very powerful anti bacterial properties that can ward off infections on topical application. Thus it also helps the immune system fights bacteria present inside the body making it stronger against common disease. It also boost the overall resistance of the immune system.

Spearmint Oil is highly rich in antioxidant and essential oil, which is very good for our immune system. Antioxidant helps to fight against free radicals and stabilized them so that, they should not do any kinds of oxidative damage to our healthy cells. Free radicals are the main cause of various kinds of age related problem and macular degeneration. The essential oil presence in Spearmint Oil has antibacterial and antiseptic properties, which protects our body from foreign invaders such as bacteria and virus.

In a 2016 study "Mentha spicata L. infusions as sources of antioxidant phenolic compounds: emerging reserve lots with special harvest requirements" published in Food Funct by Ingride Rita, Carla Pereira, Lillian Barros, Celestino Santos-Buelga, Isabel C F R Ferreira, standard and reserve lots of Mentha spicata were assessed in terms of the antioxidants present in infusions prepared from the different lots. The reserve lots presented the highest concentration in all the compounds identified in relation to the standard lots, with 326 and 188 μg mL-1 of total phenolic compounds, respectively. Both types of samples presented rosmarinic acid as the most abundant phenolic compound, at concentrations of 169 and 101 μg mL-1 for reserve and standard lots, respectively. The antioxidant activity was higher in the reserve lots which had the highest total phenolic compounds content, with EC50 values ranging from 152 to 336 μg mL-1. The obtained results provide scientific information that may allow the consumer to make a conscientious choice.

Free Radicals:

Free radicals are foreign substances that enter your body and disrupt its systems. They can attack healthy cells in the body and increase the production of cancerous cells that lead to cancer. There are many chemical compounds found in Spearmint that can fight off free radicals, including cineole, pinene, and limonene. There are also natural vitamins, including thiamine, riboflavin, and vitamins A and C. Together, these antioxidants will neutralize these free radicals and eliminate them from your body.

Free radicals are mostly responsible for chronic diseases by causing cellular breakdown. The anti oxidants present in Spearmint tea are very effective in countering and eliminating these free radicals, thus preventing the immune system.

Oxidative Stress:

The main active antioxidant in Spearmint is limonene but it also contains some rosmarinic acid. The antioxidants in the plant showed a high level of scavenging abilities, which is needed to fight oxidative stress in the body that causes inflammation and damages healthy cells. Oxidative stress is an underlying cause of many common diseases and conditions including diabetes, cancer, inflammatory disorders, poor immunity, Alzheimer’s, and memory loss due to cognitive decline. Antioxidants are natural chemical compounds found in plants that help protect against and repair damage caused by free radicals, which are harmful molecules that can lead to oxidative stress. Oxidative stress has been linked to several chronic conditions, including heart disease, cancer and diabetes.

Spearmint contains a large number of antioxidant compounds, including rosmarinic acid, flavones and flavanones like limonene and menthol. Two tablespoons (11 grams) of Spearmint also provides 2% of the Reference Daily Intake (RDI) for vitamin C, another potent antioxidant.

According to researchers, Spearmint shows excellent antioxidant activity against free radicals. In one study, extract from this herb prevented fat oxidation in meat and was as effective as the synthetic antioxidant BHT.

Benefits of Spearmint Herbal Tea

Spearmint tea is made from the leaves of Spearmint herb scientifically known as Mentha spicata that has sharply pointed leaves from where it derives its name. Like other herbs of the mint family it has a square shape stem that is very thick and can grow upto 1 metre in height. Spearmint tea is one of the most invigorating type of tea that is loaded with anti oxidants, vitamins and many vital nutrients. Though the name and aroma is very similar to peppermint, it contains less menthol than peppermint is very rich in limonene, dihydrocarvone and cineol. Spearmint tea is very useful in soothing indigestion and boosting the immune system. It also protects us from fungal infections, boost dental health, reduce facial hair growth and and lower inflammation. Spearmint tea is also rich in Vitamin A and vitamin C with important minerals such as calcium, potassium and magnesium. Spear mint tea has very low amount of fat and zero cholesterol.

Studies suggest that it can balance hormones, improve weight management, treat acne, aid digestion and enhance cognitive function. There is little research, however, indicating that it offers menstrual relief or works as a diuretic.

Spearmint tea is a common way to consume this pleasant-tasting herb, and it’s a great, easy way to reap its potential benefits. You can find Spearmint tea in bag form or you can buy it as a loose herb. If you opt for the loose herb, you simply combine one teaspoon of the dried leaves with one cup of boiled water. Let it steep for about five minutes, strain and enjoy. You can drink Spearmint tea hot or iced. You can also add Spearmint to black, green or white tea to add a minty flavor. Similarly, it can be combined with other loose herbs that you enjoy to make a custom tea blend with a flavor profile or medicinal benefits in mind. It’s always a good idea to buy certified organic versions of herbal tea to avoid unwanted pesticides. Spearmint is easy to add to your diet. To make the tea at home: Boil two cups (473 ml) of water. Remove from heat and add a handful of torn Spearmint leaves to the water. Cover and steep for five minutes. Strain and drink. This herbal tea is delicious hot or cold. It’s also caffeine- and calorie-free, making it a naturally sweet treat you can enjoy at any time of the day.

Benefits of Spearmint Essential Oil

Since Roman times, Spearmint has been used as an aromatic herb that is also found in European cuisines. It is inherent Central Europe which could be found in North America that has been introduced in late 1500’s by the earliest immigrants.

Spearmint oil is extracted with the steam distillation process of floral parts of Spearmint plant or Mentha spicata. It possesses refreshing and minty characteristics of peppermint which is also used in aromatherapy. This oil has less menthol. It is used to treat fatigue, headache and oral health. It possess the chemical constituents such as Carvone, Menthone, Limonene, cis-carveol, Dihydra carvone, 1,8-cineole (Eucalyptol) and Linalool. It possesses the medicinal properties such as antibacterial, antiseptic, anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory, antidepressant and digestive properties. This oil is blended with Benzoin, Basil, Jasmine, Eucalyptus, Lemon, Lavender, Peppermint, Orange and Rosemary.

Spearmint oil possesses antispasmodic, antiseptic, cephalic, carminative, insecticide, emenagogue, cephalic, stimulant and restorative properties. Though it possesses a similar aroma of Peppermint oil, it has low content of methanol in comparison to Peppermint oil. Spearmint was used as an aid for vomiting, menstrual cramps, indigestion and flatulence. It was used to treat and prevent scurvy as it possesses high content of Vitamin C. It has got an interesting history in Europe that Pluto’s wife was jealous of Minthes which is a young nymph and turned her into a plant. She was not able to bring her back so gave her a delightful aroma.

A 2021 study "Rapid Screening of Mentha spicata Essential Oil and L-Menthol in Mentha piperita Essential Oil by ATR-FTIR Spectroscopy Coupled with Multivariate Analyses" published in Foods by Osman Taylan, Nur Cebi, Osman Sagdic, evaluated that Mentha piperita essential oil has high economic importance because of its wide usage area and health-beneficial properties. Besides health-beneficial properties, Mentha piperita essential oil has great importance in the flavor and food industries because of its unique sensory and quality properties. High-valued essential oils are prone to being adulterated with economic motivations. This kind of adulteration deteriorates the quality of authentic essential oil, injures the consumers, and causes negative effects on the whole supply chain from producer to the consumer. The current research used fast, economic, robust, reliable, and effective ATR-FTIR spectroscopy coupled chemometrics of hierarchical cluster analysis(HCA), principal component analysis (PCA), partial least squares regression (PLSR) and principal component regression (PCR) for monitoring of Mentha spicata essential oil and L-menthol adulteration in Mentha piperita essential oils. Adulterant contents (Mentha spicata and L-menthol) were successfully calculated using PLSR and PCR models. Standard error of the cross-validation SECV values changed between 0.06 and 2.14. Additionally, bias and press values showed alteration between 0.06 and1.43 and 0.03 and 41.15, respectively. Authentic Mentha piperita was successfully distinguished from adulterated samples, Mentha spicata and L-menthol, by HCA and PCA analysis. The results showed that attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy, coupled with chemometrics could be effectively used for monitoring various adulterants in essential oils.

In a 2016 comparative study "Comparative Chemical Analysis of Mentha piperita and M. spicata and a Fast Assessment of Commercial Peppermint Teas" published by Nat Prod Commun., by Mihaela Buleandra, Eliza Oprea, Dana Elena Popa, Iulia Gabriela David, Zenovia Moldovan, Iuliana Mihai, Irinel Adriana Badea, the hydrodistilled essential oils and volatile compounds (by static headspaces technique) of Mentha piperita L. and Mentha spicata L. were characterized by GC-MS. Headspace analysis of Mentha piperita revealed the existence of menthone (25.4%), 1,8-cineole (17.7%) and menthol (12.1%) as the main components, while the essential oil contained high amounts of menthol (46.8%) and menthone (25.6%). By contrast, headspace analysis of Mentha spicata showed a high content of limonene (37.0%) together with carvone (13.0%), β-pinene (10.4%) and α-pinene (9.8%), while the essential oil was reach in carvone (51.7%), dihydrocarveol (11.5%) and cis-dihydrocarvone (9.1%). Eleven samples of peppermint tea available on the Romanian market were analysed by headspace GC-MS. The volatile profile of the tea samples was compared with that of Mentha piperita L. and certain differences were emphasized and discussed.

Uses of Spearmint

Medical Uses of Spearmint:

  • It helps to stimulate digestion and lowers stomach upset.
  • It enhances focus and also uplift mood.
  • It promotes fresh breath and cleans mouth.
  • Use it in a diffuser to uplift mood.
  • It is used as a treatment for skin ailments, digestive problems and headaches.
  • If added to baths, it helps to treat sexually transmitted diseases.
  • It heals mouth sores and whitens teeth.
  • It also treats nausea and menstrual problems.
  • It is used in aromatherapy to prevent headaches, fatigue, nervousness and migraines.
  • It promotes relaxation and lowers body temperature.
  • It helps to calm down muscle spasms and nerves.
  • It promotes brain and nerves function.
  • It provides relief from respiratory problems such as nasal congestion, colds, flu and asthma.
  • For mouthwash, gargle by adding few drops of Spearmint oil to a glass of water.
  • It could be used in a steam inhalation.
  • It prevents infection in intestines and stomach.
  • It prevent stress and cures headaches.
  • For massage, dilute Spearmint oil with sunflower oil or almond oil.
  • It provides relief from vomiting, constipation, flatulence and nausea.
  • It is helpful for asthma, bronchitis, cough, sinus and catarrh.
  • It treats insomnia, bad breathe and dandruff.
  • Massage with the mixture of coconut, sweet almond and spearmint oil to clear congestion as well as to provide relief from muscular pain.It could be added to toothbrush for the fresh breath and healthy gums.
  • Add it to drink, dessert, entrée or salad for enhancing digestion.
  • An upset stomach could be cured by adding 1 to 2 drops to water.
  • 1 to 4 drops of Spearmint oil could be added to a pitcher of ice tea for enhancing the flavor.
  • It was used by Ancient Greeks to treat sexually transmitted diseases as well as infections.
  • It is used to freshen breath.
  • Dried leaves are used to whiten teeth.

Edible Uses of Spearmint:

  • Leaves are dried and frozen.
  • It could be preserved in sugar, salt, alcohol, sugar syrup and oil.
  • In Northern countries and Arab, mint is used as a vital ingredient in Touareg tea.
  • It is used as a flavoring agent for drinks, desserts, chewing gum, candies and chocolate.
  • Mint jellies and sauces are used to accompany lamb dishes.
  • It could be used dried or fresh in salads, as a tea or as a garnish for hot and cold drinks.
  • In Malaysia, mint is used by mixing with galangal and other fragrant spices for spicy noodle dish.
  • In cocktails, mint is used in mojitos and mint juleps.
  • It is used to promote flavor of seafood, cooked meats, cheeses and vegetables.
  • Add chopped mint to sauces for red meat particularly lamb.
  • Add several sprigs of mint to peas, green beans or even new potatoes whilst boiling.
  • Add mint to the homemade or even pre-prepared chocolate sauce for the choc and mint sauce.
  • Use it like a garnish for cool drinks as well as fruit desserts.
  • Use dried peppermint leaves, added to boiling water to have a refreshing as well as digestive tea.
  • Make a yogurt dressing along with cut mint leaves, natural yogurt, garlic and salt and pepper for salads particularly cucumber salad.
  • Add to cold soups or hot tomato soups.
  • Use for making curries.
  • Use mint to flavour cakes, meringues and biscuits.
  • Use to produce a marinade for lamb.
  • The Middle Eastern salad dish, Tabbouleh contains mint, bulgar, parsley, red onions, tomato and lemon juice.
  • Add chopped mint to rice, chickpea, couscous or bean dishes.
  • It is added to candy and ice cream.

Other Uses of Spearmint:

  • It is used to add flavor to mouthwash, toothpaste, confectionery and also added to soaps and shampoos.
  • Washington was regarded as the world’s largest producer of Spearmint oil.
  • The essential oils are used as perfumes.

Uses of Spearmint Leaves:

  • The tea is useful for treating stomachache and hirsutism.
  • It is helpful for treating various digestive problems.
  • Tea made from leaves is used for treating headaches, fevers and digestive disorders.
  • Use the poultice made from stem on bruises.
  • Leaves poultice are an aid for tumors.
  • Use the decoction as a gargle to cure mouth sores.
  • The distilled water of Spearmint provides relief from flatulence, hiccough and giddiness of indigestion.
  • It is useful for treating colds, sore throat, toothaches, headaches, cancer, cramps and inflammation of respiratory tract.
  • It is used for treating chest pains and stomach ache.
  • It is used to induce perspiration as well as menstruation.
  • Mint leaves helps to soothe muscles.
  • Mint flavor provides relief from bad breathe by stimulating saliva production.
  • It also provides relief from heartburn and increase flow of digestive fluids through digestive system.
  • It helps to treat bacterial infections and also loosen bronchial constriction.
  • Mint tea relieves indigestion and nausea.
  • Mint is used to relieve heat during fever.
  • Leaves are used to cure cough and provides relief from itchy throat.
  • Leaves are helpful in curing allergies.
  • To treat acne, mix mint leaves with rose water and apply it to face. Let it remain for few minutes and then rinse. Do this regularly for best results.
  • As an herbal medicine, leaves are used to treat irritation of scalp.
  • For abusive heel, mix mint leaves to warm water and soak the foot in this.
  • Use mint oil for 3 to 4 times in a week to treat fleas.
  • Leaves are used for bites of mad dogs and heal skin disorders.

Uses of Spearmint for Beauty:

  • Grind mint leaves and mix it with honey to use on your skin. This mint face pack cleanses and tightens your pores completely,  thus, providing you with fresh and oil-free skin tone.
  • Grind mint leaves along with rose water in the grinder and spread  this wonderful mix in your pimples to heal them fast. For those who have severe pimples, leave this preparation overnight. This home remedy is really a sure-shot remedy to drive away prolonged acne. Do try it to see by yourself that it’s more efficient compared to neem(margosa leaves). Mint, full of salicylic acid, assists heal pimple rapidly and stop its recurrence.
  • Boil mint leaves in water and simmer it till the water remains half. Once cool, strain the mixture to use as a face toner. Make use of this mint toner to help keep acne at bay. Furthermore, this toner assists in keeping the skin oil -free and fresh.
  • Apply fresh ground mint leaves in your face to lighten the skin tone dramatically. Using mint paste or even mint juice helps you to diminish under-eyes circles in addition to puffiness of eyes.
  • Apply mint oil in your hair to eliminate lice simply because mint behaves as a natural repellent of insects. You can test this recipe 3-4 times a week for best results.
  • Combine mint juice along with oatmeal powder to make a face pack that can help in exfoliating dead skin cells as well as revealing fresh skin on the outer surface.
  • Add mint juice to fuller’s earth and tomato juice, then dab in your pimples completely. This particular minty recipe works well for cleaning acne-marks also.
  • Grind mint leaves and also add sandalwood powder to it to create an anti-acne face mask in your own home naturally.
  • Take some mint leaves, mungbean as well as curd. Apply this particular natural face pack on the skin to treat a variety of facial imperfections like pimples, blackheads and rough skin completely.
  • You are able to use mint-leaves pack on the skin to reduce the size of enlarged pores on your face. Try to rub while removing this mask to slough out the unwanted blackheads as well as whiteheads from the skin. Full of salicyclic acid, mint leaves pack helps unwind dead cells as well as shed them easily. So mint paste is a superb exfoliating scrub for the skin.
  • You are able to dab mint juice on insect bites or stings to get cooling sensation and reduce the itchiness.
  • Apply mint oil in your pimples to lessen its size. Standard uses of mint oil helps prevent the recurrence of further break-outs.
  • Use the fantastic preparation of mint paste and olive oil together to soften and hydrate your cracked heels.
  • Boil mint leaves in water and soak up the feet in mint juice also it assists drive away dryness and also smell from the feet.
  • Using mint leaves paste works well for managing the surface oiliness on the skin and keeping the skin spotless and oil-free.
  • Boil a bunch of celery and mint leaves in the water for 20 minutes, then strain the leaves and rinse your hair with this water to make your hair stronger and shiner. What is more, this home remedy prevents hair loss. Mint leaves are packed with menthol and anti-bacterial properties, that make it a nourishing as well as caring hair-rinse for the tress.
  • Mint is a wonderful hair conditioner. Rinse your hair with mint water to obtain frizz- free and shiny hair.
  • Mix mint leaves along with fuller’s earth and lemon juice to use in your hair to obtain shiny and dandruff-free hair.
  • Take one spoon of egg white,one spoon of curd, one spoon of mint juice and half a spoon of honey to have a anti-wrinkle face pack in your own home.
  • Put mint juice in ice tray and rub these frozen mint cubes on your face to clear all kinds of facial imperfections from the face. What is more, it’ll leave the face exuding a minty fresh aroma  all day long.
  • Steep a handful of mint leaves in water for Half an hour and strain the liquid of mint juice. Add egg white and kaolin powder to it.  Apply  it in your skin and wash off after 15 minutes. Do this anti-aging facial mask for relieving off fine lines and getting younger-looking skin fast.
  • Take 2 cucumber, one-half avocado, one spoon of almond oil, 3-4 mint leaves, half a spoon of Benzoin tincture and one cup of distilled water. Grind all ingredients well to create a special anti-aging cream for the face, neck. forehead as well as upper-lip areas.  Put this cream in a tight jar and then use it 2-3 times a weak and allow it to stay for 20 minutes prior to washing out.  Try this particular beauty tip to bring marked improvement within your skin’s health. This particular herbal face mask  safeguards the skin from suntan to make your complexion fairer and softer.
  • You are able to make a facial mask along with  half a spoon of mint leaves, half a spoon of calendula, ¼ glass of olive oil and half a spoon of burdock. Soak up all the ingredient in olive oil in order that oils absorb the natural goodness of natural ingredients. Keep it in the dry and cool place for one week. Apply this preparation in your under-eyes areas to heal wrinkles as well as puffiness around the eyes. Make sure to do patch test just before applying this facial treatment so your skin might not be allergic to it.
  • Apply mint leaves as well as lemon juice mix for clearing the ugly dark spots as well as pigmentation marks from the skin.
  • You are able to use the nourishing mixture of mint juice and cucumber juice for removing age spots.
  • Drink mint water to get clear and glowing skin.
  • You can test mint juice as well as lemon juice mix for fair skin.
  • The powerful mixture of mint juice as well as turmeric powder helps with treating sun burnt skin.
  • Use the combination of mint juice as well as coriander juice in your lips to make them pink and beautiful.
  • Mint is boon to weight watcher too as chewing mint leaves help to manage your craving that stops additional kilo from creeping in your body.
  • Grind  fenugreek seeds to create a fine paste and also to this, add few drops of mint juice and butter milk. Make use of this preparation as face scrub to drive away  pimples and stop further break out of pimples on the face.

Ayurvedic Uses and Benefits of Spearmint

  • Digestive Disorders: Massage the affected parts with 4 drops of Spearmint essential oil blended with soothing carrier oils.
  • Fatigue: Add 2 to 3 drops of Spearmint oil to your bath tub. This warm and soothing bath encourages relaxation, soothes your tensed muscles and nerves.
  • Headache: Use 2 drops of this oil in steam inhalation to relief headache, nausea and nervous conditions.
  • Improves Memory: Add 3 drops of Spearmint essential oil with 1 drop of Rosemary oil to your diffusers or burners.
  • Respiratory Disorders: Using 2 drops of this oil in steam inhalation is said to grant considerable relief from flu, fever, asthma, sinusitis, bronchitis, congestion, cough, migraines and breathing problems. / Massaging your foot soles with 2 drops of Spearmint oil blended with 10 drops of Coconut oil can assist in reducing the body temperature.
Back

Comments and Responses

×

Name is required!

Enter valid name

Valid email is required!

Enter valid email address

Comment is required!

* These fields are required.

Be the First to Comment