Spearmint
Spearmint: (Mentha spicata) aka: Curled
Mint, Fish Mint, Garden Mint, Green Mint, Lamb Mint, Mackerel Mint, Our Lady's
Mint, Sage of Bethlehem, Spire Mint. Spearmint is considered a remedy for
indigestion and gas, although its effectiveness has not been officially
recognized.
This member of
the mint family has been held in high regard since Roman times. The ancients
believed that it kept milk from souring, and used it as a bath additive,
gargle, washing agent, and remedy for bee and wasp stings. The herb is named
for Menthe, a nymph who, according to legend, was turned into a plant by the
goddess Persephone when she learned of Pluto's love for the
girl.
Spearmint
contains an essential oil called Spearmint oil. The chief constituent is
carvone which sometimes causes allergy in users of Spearmint preparations. Also
present are Phellandrine, Limonene, and Dihydrocarveol acetate, esters of
acetic, butyric and caproic or caprylic acids.
Spearmint is
chiefly used for culinary purposes, but it is also used in the aroma and flavor
industry.
Spearmint is also used to relieve hiccough, flatulence,
nausea, vomiting and colic pain.
It is also used to treat
painful hemorrhoids and for rheumatism. Spearmint also
has antifungal, antiviral, antimicrobial, insecticide, antioxidant, antiamebic,
antihemolytic, allergenic, CNS depressant, antihelmintic and
antiancylostomiasis activities.
The medicinal
oil of Spearmint is extracted from the above-ground parts of the plant by steam
distillation. Today, it is used primarily as a flavoring agent in toothpaste,
chewing gum, and certain food preparations. Unprocessed Spearmint leaves are
used as a remedy for gas.
There are no
known medical conditions preclude the use of Spearmint. Special
Precautions: There is a slight possibility of developing an allergy to
Spearmint oil. Aside from that, the herb appears to be safe.
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