Mint -Spearmint

Botanical Name: Mentha spicata

Family: Lamiaceae (Labiatae)

Other Names: Common spearmint, fish mint, garden spearmint, green mint, lamb mint, M. viridis, pea mint, spire mint

Description: Perennial herb, bright green lance shaped toothed leaves up to7cm acute apex, serrate margin. Pink or lilac coloured flowers

Native to: Mediterranean

Parts Used: Leaves, essential oil

Actions: Anaesthetic, antiseptic, antispasmodic, astringent, carminative, cephalic, cholagogue, decongestant, digestive, diuretic, expectorant, febrifuge, hepatic, nervine, stimulant, stomachic, tonic

Extraction: Steam distillation of flowering tops

Constituents: Essential oil: L-carvone (50-70%), dihydrocarvone, phellandrene, limonene, menthone, menthol, menthofuran, pulegone

Flavonoids: diosmin, diosmetin

Rosmarinic acid

Cineol, linalool, pinenes

Skin: Acne, dermatitis

Respiratory: Asthma, bronchitis, and sinusitis

Digestive: Colic, dyspepsia, flatulence, nausea, vomiting

Immune: Colds, flu, fever

Nervous system: Fatigue, headache, migraine, and stress

Other Uses: Soaps, flavouring