Spearmint EO
clarifying, cooling, regulating, and harmonizing
***Spearmint - the gentler oil - on Mercola***
Spearmint essential oil has a wonderfully refreshing, sweet minty aroma due to the predominance of one molecule: l-carvone, perceivable at the slightest touch of the plant. L-carvone is a ketone that bears no potential toxicity, hence Spearmint is sometimes preferred for aromatherapy use over Peppermint, the use of which is more limited, especially for children. But other than the shared minty aroma and digestive indications, Spearmint has different effects than Peppermint, so it is not an appropriate replacement. Interestingly, in nature’s vast repertoire, l-carvone has an isomer (a 'mirror' molecule with opposite rotation) known as r-carvone – it is present in (and smells like) Caraway in which it contributes somewhat different properties. (source - Eden Botanicals)
Eden Botanicals Conventional USA EO
Identification
Botanical name: Mentha spicata L. (syn. Mentha viridis L.).
Family: Lamiaceae (Labiatae).
Common names: Spearmint, Garden mint, Green mint, Menthe verte.
Plant part used: Flowering aerial parts (herb tops).
Note: Distinguish between Native type (M. spicata) and Scotch type (Mentha × gracilis). This monograph focuses primarily on the Native spearmint type.2.
Origin and Habitat
Native to the Mediterranean region (Europe and Southwest Asia). Widely cultivated in temperate climates worldwide, with major production in the United States (Midwest and Pacific Northwest), India, China, and parts of Europe. It is a perennial herb that thrives in moist, well-drained soils.
Production Method
Obtained by steam distillation of the fresh or partially dried flowering aerial parts. Typical yield: 0.4–0.6% (or up to ~1–2% on dry weight basis), depending on cultivar, harvest timing, and growing conditions. Harvest usually occurs just before or at full flowering for optimal carvone content.
Physical Characteristics (per ISO 3033 and commercial data)
- Appearance: Clear, mobile liquid.
- Color: Almost colourless to pale yellow or pale greenish-yellow.
- Odor: Characteristic fresh, sweet, minty-herbaceous, recalling crushed spearmint leaves; warm, green, and slightly penetrating.
- Relativ density (d₂₀²⁰): 0.920–0.938 (example ranges from ISO 3033-1 and related: ~0.921–0.938).
- Refractive index (n_D²⁰): 1.4840–1.4910.
- Optical rotation (α_D²⁰): –60° to –45° (levorotatory due to (–)-carvone).
- Solubility: 1 volume in 1 volume of 80% (v/v) ethanol at 20°C; soluble in most fixed oils and mineral oil.
- Carbonyl value: Minimum 200 (indicative of high carvone/ketone content).
- Flash point: Approximately 63–65°C.
Values should be verified against batch-specific Certificates of Analysis.5. Chemical Composition / Chromatographic ProfileSpearmint oil is a carvone chemotype. It conforms to ISO 3033-1 (Native type) standards. Representative ranges (commercial Native-type oils):
- (–)-Carvone: 50–70% (often 55–68%; minimum ~55% in many quality specs).
- Limonene: 2–25% (typically 8–20%).
- Other notable components: 1,8-Cineole (trace–5%), β-myrcene, cis-dihydrocarvone, trans-dihydrocarvone, carveol isomers, β-caryophyllene, menthone (low, <2%), menthol (low, <2%).
Typical chemotype: Oxygenated monoterpenes dominant, especially ketones. Over 50–60 compounds may be identified by GC-MS, with carvone and limonene comprising the bulk. Composition varies with cultivar (Native vs. Scotch), origin, harvest time, and distillation parameters. Analysis by GC-MS per ISO 11024.
High-quality commercial oils often exceed 60% carvone.6.
Storage and Stability
Store in tightly sealed, preferably dark glass or approved containers, protected from heat, light, and air (per ISO/TS 210). Shelf life is typically 2–3 years under cool, proper conditions. Monitor for oxidation of terpenes (e.g., limonene) and potential polymerization of carvone.
Uses and Properties (Summary)
Widely used as a flavoring agent in chewing gum, confectionery, beverages, toothpaste, and oral care products. In aromatherapy and fragrance: refreshing, uplifting, and digestive support. Traditional uses include relief of digestive discomfort, nausea, headaches, and respiratory issues. The oil exhibits antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and potential antiandrogenic properties (from research on carvone).
Its milder, sweeter profile compared to peppermint makes it suitable for broader flavor and aromatic applications.
Safety and Precautions
- Generally recognized as safe (GRAS) for food/flavor use.
- Contains limonene and carvone: potential mild skin sensitizer/irritant in undiluted form. Recommended maximum dermal dilution often 1.7% (IFRA Category
- Perform patch tests.
- Avoid undiluted use, eyes, and mucous membranes.
- Use with professional guidance during pregnancy, breastfeeding, or with young children. Limited data on high-dose internal use.
- Not phototoxic. Refer to current SDS, IFRA guidelines (fragrance use), and regulatory standards (e.g., FDA, Ph. Eur.).
References and Analytical Methods
- ISO 3033 series (particularly ISO 3033-1:2005 — Oil of spearmint, Native type (Mentha spicata L.)).
- GC-MS and retention indices (ISO 11024).
- Key literature: Pharmacopoeial standards, studies on carvone-rich Mentha spicata, and commercial specifications.
This monograph compiles factual information from ISO, scientific, and commercial sources. Natural essential oils exhibit batch-to-batch and geographic variation; for compliance, regulatory, or certification purposes, always use batch-specific testing and current standards.
Physio-Medical Therapeutics, Materia Medica and Pharmacy BY T. J. LYLE, A.M.M. 1897
ARTICLES/STUDIES
- Biological Properties and Bioactive Components of Mentha spicata L. Essential Oil: Focus on Potential Benefits in the Treatment of Obesity, Alzheimer's Disease, Dermatophytosis, and Drug-Resistant Infections.
- Characterization, activities, and ethnobotanical uses of Mentha species in Morocco.
- Chemical compositions, radical scavenging capacities and antimicrobial activities in seeds of Satureja hortensis L. and Mentha spicata L. subsp. spicata from Turkey.
- Inactivation of Spoilage Yeasts by Mentha spicata L. and M. villosa Huds. Essential Oils in Cashew, Guava, Mango, and Pineapple Juices.
Antifungal
- Antifungal Activities of *Origanum* *vulgare* subsp. *hirtum, Mentha spicata,* *Lavandula angustifolia*, and *Salvia fruticosa* Essential Oils against Human Pathogenic Fungi
- Chemical composition of essential oils of Thymus and Mentha species and their antifungal activities.
Anti-ioxidant & Antibacterial
- Antioxidant Activity of S‐Carvone Isolated from Spearmint (Mentha Spicata L. Fam Lamiaceae)
- Mentha spicata Essential Oil: Chemical Composition, Antioxidant and Antibacterial Activities against Planktonic and Biofilm Cultures of Vibrio spp. Strains.
- Chemical Composition and Antioxidant Properties of Essential Oils from Peppermint, Native Spearmint and Scotch Spearmint.
- Chemical Composition and In Vitro Antibacterial Activity of Mentha spicata Essential Oil against Common Food-Borne Pathogenic Bacteria.
- Inhibitory activity of essential oils of Mentha spicata and Eucalyptus globulus on biofilms of Streptococcus mutans.
Cancer
- Antiemetic activity of volatile oil from Mentha spicata and Mentha piperita in chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting.
- In vitro anti-inflammatory and anticancer evaluation of Mentha spicata and Matricaria chamomilla essential oils.
Cognitive & Mood Effects
- Volatile Terpenes and Brain Function: Investigation of the Cognitive and Mood Effects of Mentha Piperita L. Essential Oil with In Vitro Properties Relevant to Central Nervous System Function.
- Chewing gum and context-dependent memory: the independent roles of chewing gum and mint flavour.
Flatulence
Mentha spicata L. essential oil, phytochemistry and its effectiveness in flatulence.
PCOS
Role of Essential Oil of Mentha Spicata (Spearmint) in Addressing Reverse Hormonal and Folliculogenesis Disturbances in a Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome in a Rat Model.
Respiratory System Effects
Chemotypes
Mentha spicata (Lamiaceae) chemotypes growing wild in Greece