Spearmint (Mentha spicata) is widely used in mouthwashes, toothpastes, cosmetics and health products. It belongs to the ‘mint’ family and has a square shaped stem. The leaves, which are 5cm to 9cm long and about 2cm to 3cm broad, have pointed tips like spears, which has given it the name ‘spearmint’.
A study published in the Journal of Chemistry found that spearmint extract exhibits excellent antioxidant activity(1) and essential oil obtained from spearmint leaves has antifungal properties.(2)
Another study found that drinking two cups of spearmint tea for a period of five days reduced the levels of androgens (hormones that play a role in male traits) in women with hirsutism (unwanted, male-pattern hair growth in women).(3)
Spearmint For Digestive Problems
Spearmint can relax the muscles of the stomach, reduce nausea symptoms and promote better digestion. Its active ingredients improve the overall health of the gastrointestinal tract.(4)
How To Take It
- Take five to six leaves of the spearmint plant and steep them in boiling water for 15 minutes. Strain and drink this tea twice daily to smoothen your digestive system.
- You can also use spearmint tea bags. Buy them here.
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References:
1. Sweetie R. Kanatt, Ramesh Chander, Arun Sharma. Antioxidant potential of mint (Mentha spicata L.) in radiation-processed lamb meat. Food Chemistry, Volume 100, Issue 2, 2007, Pages 451-458
2. Simin Nosrati, Seyyed Alireza EsmaeilzadehHosseini, Abolfzl Sarpeleh, Mahmoud, SoflaeiShahrbabak, and Yeganeh SoflaeiShahrbabak. “Antifungal Activity of Spearmint (Mentha Spicata L.) Essential Oil on Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. radicis-cucumerinum the Causal Agent of Stem and Crown Rot of Greenhouse Cucumber in Yazd, Iran”. 2011 International Conference on Environmental and Agriculture Engineering. IPCBEE vol.15(2011).
3. Akdoğan M, Tamer MN, Cüre E, Cüre MC, Köroğlu BK, Delibaş N. Effect of spearmint (Mentha spicata Labiatae) teas on androgen levels in women with hirsutism. Phytother Res. 2007 May;21(5):444-7. PubMed PMID: 17310494.
4. Chen, G. T., Gao, H. Y., Zheng, J., Wu, B., Yang, X. K., and Wu, L. J. [Study of chemical constituents in active parts of Mentha spicata III]. Zhongguo Zhong.Yao Za Zhi. 2006;31(7):560-562.
