Spearmint Essential Oil in history
Mentha spicata or spearmint is from the mint family of plants. It is native to Asia and Europe, but you will find spearmint in many diverse parts of the world. In ancient Greece3, Mentha was the nymph that loved Pluto.
The jealous Prosperine turned to the nymph into the mint plant, giving the Mediterranean region a potent life-giving herb. In old Athens, the scent of mint was a perfume for the arms. The Romans and Greeks had mint crowns in their feasts, flavoring their sauces with it.
Mint was part of Icelandic folk medicine, mentioned in their thirteenth-century writings. It would whiten their teeth and is today part of the toothpaste production industry. This perennial plant has leaves that shape into a spear-like form.
It has a sweet taste that makes it a much-loved candy and chewing gum component. The Mediterranean Blue Zone residents brew its leaves into a tea to enjoy its amazing life-prolonging benefits.
Spearmint Essential Oil Uses
Chemical components of spearmint essential oil
Mentha spicata essential oil has over 19 chemical components. Its main constituents4 are carvone, cis-carveol, limonene, 1,8 cineol, cis-dihydrocarvone, and carvyl acetate. These chemical parts have antimicrobial and antioxidant properties.
Health benefits of spearmint essential oil
1. Relief from digestive upsets
Spearmint essential oil has high levels of carvone, an antispasmodic agent5. It can help to ease nausea, indigestion, gas, and vomiting arising from stomach upsets. Studies show that this extract can lessen abdominal pain amongst people with irritable bowel syndrome. Persons undergoing chemotherapy can use it to relieve vomiting and nausea. Apply it to the skin also cut down on the feeling of nausea.
2. Protection from oxidative stress
The limonene, flavones, rosmarinic acid, and menthol in spearmint essential oil have potent antioxidant benefits6. These components can repair the damage and protect the body against oxidative stress by free radicals.
Spearmint essential oil can, therefore, help protect you against cancer, heart disease7, and diabetes. A few drops of this essential oil can provide great antioxidant effects.
3. Can help mitigate the effects of hormone imbalance in women
Spearmint essential oil can cut down on the levels of male hormones8 in the body. It will decrease the levels of testosterone and increase estradiol, luteinizing hormone, and the follicle-stimulating hormone. Studies show that two daily cups of spearmint tea can lower the levels of testosterone in women.
In animal studies, Mentha spicata extracts can help heal ovarian cysts and increase ovum in the ovaries. One other benefit of teas that have spearmint essential oil is their ability to reduce the growth of facial, chest, and abdomen hair in women. They are a common remedy for hirsutism in the Middle East9.
4. Can help enhance the memory
Spearmint essential oil can improve memory and learning. An observation that chewing on gum has positive effects on cognitive functioning is only true for gum that has mint in it. Studies show that a daily 900mg dose of spearmint10 can help older adults have better working memory.
5. Antibacterial effects
Spearmint essential oil strongly affects the upper respiratory tract and e.coli-causing bacteria11 and a wide range of disease-causing fungi. Its antimicrobial and antibacterial properties make it an excellent breath freshener in toothpaste, chewing gums, and mouthwashes.
Other benefits of spearmint essential oil include;
- Lowering blood sugar levels
- Helping reduce stress and promoting relaxation
- Improving arthritis pain
- Lowering blood pressure
How to use spearmint oil
- Dilute it in water, skincare oil, unscented liquid soap, or lotion, then use daily for skin and gut health
- Blend 24 drops of spearmint essential oil with two ounces of water for a revitalizing room spray
- Combine it with sweet almond oil and use as energizing massage oil
- Add a drop of two of spearmint essential oil to your iced or hot herbal teas
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