What are the benefits of spearmint?

Answer 1

Spearmint (Mentha spicata) is a branching perennial herb of Mediterranean origin. Mint belongs to the family of Lamiaceae, along with basil, rosemary, sage, savory, marjoram, oregano, hyssop, thyme, lavender, and perilla. The family also (surprisingly) includes chia, and (even more surprisingly) coleus and teak.
It is a type of mint which belongs to the mentha family.

Answer 2

Spearmint has found a place in various traditional as well as in modern medicine. It is said to be an excellent remedy for minor ailments such as headaches, nervous strain, fatigue, and stress, as well as for respiratory problems like Asthma and bronchitis. It helps with digestive problems, including nausea, flatulence, indigestion, and hiccups, as it relaxes the digestive muscles. The essential oil, menthol, has analgesic, local anesthetic, and counter-irritant properties. Menthol is also used to prepare toothpaste and mouth wash. When used as a skin cream or lotion, it may help relieve the itching of dermatitis and hives. Spearmint oil is blended into massage oil and used in aromatherapy to help relieve headaches, stress, fatigue, nervous conditions, and itching. Spearmint tea can be used safely in pregnancy. In women, it helps reduce unwanted hair through its anti-androgenic properties.

Spearmint is packed with numerous health-benefiting vitamins, antioxidants, and phytonutrients. The leaves contain the essential oil, menthol. Unlike in peppermint, spearmint leaves have only small amounts of menthol: 0.5% compared to the 40% in peppermint. Lower menthol content makes spearmint the least pungent herb in the mint family. Besides menthol, other important chemical components of spearmint are α-pinene, β-pinene, carvone, cineole, linalool, limonene, myrcene, and caryophyllene. These compounds in spearmint help relieve fatigue and stress. Perillyl alcohol in spearmint slows the growth of liver and possibly other tumors by interfering with the division of cancer cells, and it induces the cells to self-destruct.

Spearmint is low in calories (about 43 calories per 100 grams) and contains zero cholesterol. Spearmint is high in minerals like potassium, calcium, manganese, iron (148% of RDA), and magnesium. Iron is required for enzymes in cellular metabolism and synthesis of hemoglobin. Manganese is used by your body as a co-factor for the antioxidant enzyme superoxide dismutase. Further, spearmint is also rich in many antioxidant vitamins, including vitamin A (4054 IU or 135% of RDA), beta-carotene, vitamin C, folate (26% of RDA), vitamin B6 (pyridoxine), riboflavin, and thiamine.