Spearmint(Mentha spicata)
Other Names:
Garden mint, common mint, lamb mint and mackerel mint, yerba buena
Range:
Family:
Lamiaceae - Mint Family
Growth Type:
Herbaceous perennial
Height:
Can grow to a little over 3 feet tall.
Leaves:
The slightly pubescent (hairy) to glabrous (hairless) leaves can grow to 3½ inches long and 1½ inches wide and the have serrated margins and pointed apexes. The pointed leaves are the reason for the common name spearment.
Stem/Trunk:
The square stems can be slightly pubescent (hairy) to glabrous (hairless)
Root:
They grow from a rhizome with a spreading root mass.
Flower Season:
Summer
Flower Appearance:
The tiny white to pink flowers are born on slender spikes.
Miscellaneous characteristics:
All parts of the plant have a distinctly minty smell.
Habitat:
Mints love moist places in temperate climates. Therefore you will find them along streams, rivers, and lakes,
Parts Used:
Aerial Parts
Culinary Uses:
Mints make wonderfully aromatic and healthful teas. Mints can be used as a seasoning in cooking, They lend themselves particularly well to lamb, goat, and pork. When used sparingly they are also wonderful on fish.
The following text is meant for informational purposes only. It is not meant to diagnose or treat any illness or injury. Always consult with a physician or other qualified medical care provider concerning the diagnosis and treatment of any illness or injury.
Energetics
Taste: Pungent
Thermal: Cooling
Humidity: Drying
Medicinal Indications:
Works to slow peristalsis which in turn treats dyspepsia, flatulence, intestinal colic, and IBS. As an emmenagogue, vermifuge, lactation enhancer and sedative.
Medicinal Conditions Treated:
Amenorrhea, Bronchitis, Constipation, Diabetes, Diarrhea, Bacillary Dysentery, Dysmenorrhea, Dyspepsia, Fevers, Flatulence, Gastritis, Intestinal Colic, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Hypertension, Jaundice, Nausea, Pain, Respiratory tract infections (RTI).
Cautions According To WebMD
Contra-Indications
Avoid mint oil when pregnant.
Possible Side Effects:
Because members of the Mentha genus can be used interchageably, I have included the side effects, warmings, and drug interactions of Mentha spicata.
When taken by mouth: Spearmint and spearmint oil are commonly consumed in foods. Spearmint is possibly safe when used as a medicine, short-term. It's usually well tolerated.¹
Possible Interactions:
Moderate Interaction
Be cautious with this combination
Medications that can harm the liver (Hepatotoxic drugs) interacts with SPEARMINT
Spearmint might harm the liver. Some medications can also harm the liver. Taking spearmint along with a medication that can harm the liver might increase the risk of liver damage.
Sedative medications (CNS depressants) interacts with SPEARMINT
Spearmint might cause sleepiness and slowed breathing. Some medications, called sedatives, can also cause sleepiness and slowed breathing. Taking spearmint with sedative medications might cause breathing problems and/or too much sleepiness.¹
Medicinal Actions:
Analgesic,
Antidiarrheal,
Antihypertensive,
Antimicrobial,
Antispasmodic,
Carminative,
Choleretic,
Emmenagogue,
Febrifuge,
Vermifuge
Herbal Preparations For Plant
Standard Infusion
Part Used: Aerial Parts
Plant State: Fresh
Place 2 ounces of fresh chopped, or 1 ounce of dried chopped, Aerial Parts into a quart mason jar and fill the jar with almost boiling water. Cover the jar, place it in a sunny location, and let it sit for 8 to 10 hours. If refrigerated, the infusion will last a couple of days.
Dosage: 2-4 oz As Needed
Tincture
Part Used: Aerial Parts
Plant State: Fresh
Alcohol Percentage: 60%
Plant to Alcohol Ratio: 1:2
Label a quart mason jar with the plant name, the part of the plant used, the percentage of alcohol used, and the date the tincture was started.
Fill the jar to the neck with chopped fresh leaves, then pour in 600 ml of 150 proof Everclear and 150 ml water. Place a lid on the mason jar, shake it well, and place the jar in a dark cupboard. Once a day for the first 7 days, take the jar out of the cupboard and shake it well. Place the jar back into the cupboard, and leave it soak for another 3 weeks. After the tincture has soaked for 30 days, remove it from the cupboard and strain out the spent plant material. Your tincture will remain viable for 2-3 years.
Dosage: 45-90 drops as needed
Tincture
Part Used: Aerial Parts
Plant State: Dried
Alcohol Percentage: 50%
Plant to Alcohol Ratio: 1:5
Label a quart mason jar with the plant name, the part of the plant used, the percentage of alcohol used, and the date the tincture was started.
Place 150 grams of dried plant material into a quart mason jar. Now pour in 750 ml of 100 proof vodka, or 500 ml of 150 proof evercler and 250 ml of water. Place a lid on the mason jar, shake it well, and place the jar in a dark cupboard. Once a day for the first 7 days, take the jar out of the cupboard and shake it well. Place the jar back into the cupboard, and leave it soak for another 3 weeks. After the tincture has soaked for 30 days, remove it from the cupboard and strain out the spent plant material. Your tincture will remain viable for 2-3 years.
Dosage: 45-90 drops as needed
Referenes:
1. WebMD: Spearmint - Uses, Side Effects, And More. Https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-845/spearmint