Family:

Lamiaceae

 

Part Used:

Aerial parts

 

Energetics & Taste:

Sweet and cooling.

 

Habitat:

Native to Asia and Europe.

 

Key Benefits:

Spearmint is a milder, sweeter cousin of peppermint, with lower levels of menthol and higher levels of carvone, yet it still offers many similar benefits. Like peppermint, spearmint is carminative, relieving digestive issues such as bloating, flatulence, and discomfort. One key difference between these mints is that spearmint is more sedative and calming, whereas peppermint is more invigorating and alerting. This makes spearmint a better option for nighttime herbal remedies. While spearmint has some diaphoretic action and can be used as a substitute for peppermint in treating fevers, peppermint is much stronger.

 

Contraindications: 

Not used in pregnancy, gallstones, and hiatal hernias due to the emmenagogue effect and relaxing effect on the esophageal sphincter.