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Apr 12, 2022 · Pharmacological properties of M. spicata extracts and essential oils were investigated for different health benefits such as antioxidant, anticancer, antiparasitic, antimicrobial, and antidiabetic effects. In vitro and in vivo studies showed positives effects that could be certainly related to different bioactive compounds identified in M. spicata.
- Overview
- Possible health benefits of spearmint
- Spearmint’s nutritional profile
- Spearmint essential oil
- Serving suggestions for fresh spearmint
Spearmint, or Mentha spicata is a pleasant-smelling species of mint. Potential health benefits include improving digestion, being high in antioxidants, and helping with memory.
Spearmint is often present in health-food products, toothpastes, mouthwashes, and cosmetics. It is a common ingredient in medicine for its claimed therapeutic properties.
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.
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. The tips of the leaves are pointed, like spears, hence its name.
Many health benefits have been attributed to spearmint, whether consumed fresh or used as an essential oil.
Some people use spearmint to help alleviate symptoms of nausea, indigestion, gas, headache, toothache, cramps, and sore throat.
It is also applied topically, to the skin, to help reduce swelling due to nerve or muscle pain.
A report published in the journal Food Chemistry indicates that spearmint extract has “good total phenolic and flavonoid contents” and “excellent antioxidant activity.”
Spearmint essential oil has antifungal properties, according to a study presented at the 2011 International Conference on Environmental and Agriculture Engineering.
Spearmint may help to relieve symptoms of digestive problems, by relaxing the stomach muscles, reducing symptoms of nausea, and other digestive problems.
The nutritional value of 100 grams of fresh spearmint is:
•Energy – 44 kilocalories
•Carbohydrates – 8.41 grams
•Fat – 0.73 grams
•Protein – 3.29 grams
•Iron – 11.87 milligrams
Spearmint essential oils have antifungal and antioxidant properties. They can be used in natural food preservation and as an insecticide.
Unlike fresh spearmint, spearmint essential oil is not edible. Before use, it must be diluted with a carrier oil. It can irritate if it comes into contact with the skin or the eyes.
Fresh spearmint leaves contain a much lower level of menthol than other mint species, which makes it less pungent and more suited to health drinks and cooking.
Some serving suggestions are:
•Chopping the leaves and sprinkling it onto food
•Using the leaves to make mint sauce
•Preparing spearmint tea.
For a more adventurous idea, try fresh spearmint ice cream, or a spiced salad of braised beef with roasted rice.
- Joseph Nordqvist
- Good for Digestive Upsets. Spearmint is commonly used to help relieve symptoms of indigestion, nausea, vomiting and gas. The compound (-)-carvone, which is naturally found in spearmint, has been shown to strongly inhibit muscle contractions in the digestive tract, which may explain how this herb helps relieve digestive upsets (1).
- High in Antioxidants. 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.
- May Aid Women With Hormone Imbalances. For women with hormone imbalances, spearmint tea may provide relief. Studies in women have shown that it can decrease male hormones like testosterone while increasing female hormones necessary for ovulation, such as luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and estradiol.
- May Reduce Facial Hair in Women. Drinking spearmint tea may help reduce hirsutism, or growth of dark, coarse hair on the face, chest and abdomen of women.
Dec 21, 2020 · The aim of this paper is to provide an extensive descriptive overview of the medical uses given to these herbs, highlighting both the authors in medical culture responsible for their dissemination, as well as their major galenic formulations. Databases on medical science, reference textbooks on medical history, botanics (aromatic herbs), and ...
- Henrique Silva
- 2020
Mint. Beyond refreshing bites, mint can help with digestive ease, respiratory relief, and mindful energy. Menthol, its cool magic, soothes the gut, clears airways, and invigorates the mind. What are the health benefits of mint? How to use mint for respiratory issues? Is mint safe to use medicinally? Does spearmint tea help with breastfeeding pain?
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Nov 16, 2023 · Spearmint (mentha spicata), on the other hand, contains up to 70% carvone and only up to 1% menthol. Both plants may help alleviate digestive symptoms and nausea. They also provide some pain...
4 days ago · Learn how to grow and care for spearmint (Mentha spicata) and discover the many benefits of this versatile herb. Find out about spearmint's origins and characteristics, and how to grow it from seed. Explore the best spearmint varieties and learn how to properly care for your spearmint plants. Discover the many uses and health benefits of spearmint, and start cultivating this fragrant and ...
