SPEARMINT MENTHA SPICATA

SPEARMINT (Mentha spicata L.) +++

Synonyms :
M. aquatica var. crispa (L.) Benth., M. cordifolia Opiz ex Fresen., M. crispa L., M. spicata var. ciliata Druce, M. spicata var. crispa (Benth.) Danert, M. spicata var. viridis L., Mentha viridis (L.) L.

Activities (Spearmint) :
Allergenic (1; APA); Analgesic (1; DEM; EFS); Antipyretic (f; DEM; FEL); Antiseptic (1; FAD; PH2); Antispasmodic (1; FAD; JFM; PHR; PH2); Carminative (1; APA; FAD; JFM; PHR; PH2); Decongestant (1; APA); Deodorant (f; JFM); Dermatitigenic (1; FAD); Diaphoretic (f; JFM); Digestive (1; APA; PH2); Diuretic (f; CEB; FEL); Emetic (f; DEM); Expectorant (f; DEP); Insecticide (f; PH2); Neurodepressant (1; PH2); Sedative (1; DEM; PH2); Stimulant (1; PHR; PH2); Stomachic (1; FAD); Vermifuge (f; DEM; JFM).

Indications (Spearmint) :
Aphtha (f; DEP); Bronchosis (f; DEP); Cancer (f; FAD; JLH); Cancer, breast (f; JLH); Cancer, liver (f; JLH); Cancer, spleen (f; JLH); Cancer, stomach (f; JLH); Cold (1; FAD); Colic (f; DEM); Congestion (1; APA); Cough (f; APA); Cramp (1; DEM; FAD; JFM; PHR; PH2); Depression (f; APA); Diarrhea (f; DEM; FAD; JFM); Dyspepsia (1; APA); Dysuria (f; CEB; FEL); Enterosis (1; APA; DEM; JFM); Fever (f; DEM; DEP; FAD; FEL; JFM); Gas (1; APA; DEM; FAD; JFM; PHR; PH2); Gastrosis (1; APA; JLH; JFM); Gonorrhea (f; FEL); Gravel (f; DEM; FEL); Hay Fever (f; DEM); Headache (1; DEM; FAD; JFM); Hemorrhoid (f; DEM; FEL); Hepatosis (f; JLH); Hysteria (f; DEM); Induration (f; JLH); Insomnia (1; DEM; PH2); Mastosis (f; JLH); Nausea (f; APA; JFM); Nephrosis (f; CEB); Nervousness (1; DEM; PH2); Pain (1; DEM; EFS); Palpitation (f; JFM); Rheumatism (f; FEL; JFM); Sore (f; JFM); Splenosis (f; JLH); Stomachache (1; DEM; FAD; JFM); Water Retention (f; CEB; DEM; FEL); Worm (f; CEB; DEM; JFM); Wound (f; DEM).

Dosages (Spearmint) :
1–2 tbsp herb (0.7–1.5 g)/cup water several ×/day(APA); 0.3–1 ml concentrated spearmint water (PNC); 1 wineglass gin tincture 3–4 ×/day as diuretic (CEB); 0.5–2 ml EO (PNC).

Contraindications, Interactions, and Side Effects (Spearmint) :
Class 1 (AHP). None reported at proper dosing (PH2). Estimated lethal dose for menthol in humans may be as low as 2 g. Survival after doses of 8–9 g have been reported. Menthol reactions include reported cases of urticaria, allergic cheilitis, stomatosis, and rarely, shaking chills from use of topical menthol products. GI complaints due to use of peppermint preparations include stomatosis, severe esophagitis, gastrosis, unexplained diarrhea, and pancreatitis. Menthol in nasal preparations may cause spasm of the glottis in young children (AEH1). APA kindly says it does not contain menthol, but I’ll bet that many spearmint clones do contain menthol. PH2 says that spearmint oil possesses a weak potential for sensitization, due to its menthol and l-carvone (PH2). I suppose the many species with more of these ingredients would have stronger potential for sensitization. See my database for menthol- and l-carvone-containing plants. Nitpickologists will no doubt say that children should avoid all plants, not just EOs, containing menthol.