Spearmint

Spearmint has been used as an alternative medicine for centuries on many different continents. It is antiemetic, antiseptic, antispasmodic, carminative, diuretic, restorative, stimulant, stomachic and tonic. The medicinal herb tea made from the leaves is used in the treatment of fevers, bronchitis, chills, cramps, chronic gastritis, common cold, headaches, indigestion, morning sickness, motion sickness, nasal congestion, nausea, halitosis, painful menstruation, and various minor ailments. Externally the stems are crushed and used as a medicinal poultice on bruises. The essential oil in the leaves, is a great rub for stiffness, muscle soreness and rheumatism, the oil also a powerful antiseptic and should not be taken in large doses. Futher research is proving the plant to be of use in many diseases.

 Saskatchewan Herb Database by Branka Barl, Dawn Lowen, Erling Svendsen Department of Horticulture Science January 1996

 Sundew Moonwort, Medicinal Plants of the Prairies by Robert Dale Rogers revised January 1997

 Culpeper's Complet Herbal and English Physician reproduction of work of Nicholas Culpeper reproduced 1981 from original edition published in 1826

 A Modern Herbal by Mrs. M. Grieve F.R.H.S. edited and introduced by Mrs. C.F. Leyel first published in 1931 with this edition published in 1973

 The Healing Power of Herbs by Michael T. Murray N.D. Revised and expanded 1995

 Taylor Guide to Herbs and Edible Flowers by Norman Taylor 1961 revised and edited by Gordon P. DeWolf, Jr.

 Park's Success With Seeds by Ann Reilly with Geo.. W. Park Seed Co.,Inc. 1978

 Reader's Digest of Complet Book of Garden by the Editors of Readers Digest 1966

 Living with Herbs by Jo Ann Gardner 1997

 Taylor's Encyclopedia of Gardening edited by Norman Taylor 1961

 10,000 Garden Questions editor Majorie J. Dietz 1974

 Sunset Western Garden Book by the Editors of Sunset Books and Sunset magazine1991

 Hortus Third initially compiled by Liberty Hyde Bailey and Ethel Joe Bailey, revised and expanded by the Staff of the LH.Bailey Hortorium, Cornell University

 Herbs for Health magazine published by Interweave Press Loveland, CO. Sept. to Dec. 97

 HerbalGram Journal of American Botanical Council and The Herb Research Foundation

 The Herb Companion magazine published by Interweave Press Loveland, CO.

http://www.herbalgram.org/tomsofmaine/herbalbodycare/default.asp?h=Spearmint&r=yes

While spearmint has frequently been used in much the same way as peppermint, it has far less menthol, the primary active chemical constituent found in peppermint.3 It is useful in relieving intestinal gas.2 A recent study suggests that spearmint oil may be effective in inhibiting the growth of bacteria such as E. coli, Salmonella, and Staphylococcus.4 

1 Grieve M. A Modern Herbal. New York: Dover Publications; 1971.

2 Leung AY, Foster S. Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients Used in Food, Drugs, and Cosmetics. 2nd ed. New York: Wiley-Interscience; 1996.

3 Foster S, Tyler VE. Tyler’s Honest Herbal. 4nd ed. Binghamton, NY: Haworth Herbal Press; 2000.

4 Imai H, Osawa K, Yasuda H, Hamashima H, Arai T, Sasatsu M. Inhibition by the essential oils of peppermint and spearmint of the growth of pathogenic bacteria. Microbios. 2001; 106 Suppl 1:31-39.