Spearmint (Mentha spicata) is one of the plants named in my Crooked Crows® products, so here is what I would tell you about it across the counter: what it is, which part is used, how people have traditionally prepared it, and when to leave it alone.
This page is educational, not medical advice. If you are pregnant, nursing, managing an illness or taking medication, talk with your healthcare provider or pharmacist before you use this plant.
A little botany, so you know what you have
Spearmint (Mentha spicata). Franz Eugen Köhler, Köhler's Medizinal-Pflanzen. Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.
The plant I mean is Mentha spicata, in the plant family Lamiaceae (the mint family). Other common names include garden mint.
Useful field marks (identification only):
- Square stems and bright green, toothed, pointed leaves.
- Slender spikes of pale lilac flowers; sweeter scent than peppermint.
Plant parts used
Leaf. This is the part traditionally used and the part you will find in my products.
Traditional uses
Spearmint is the mint of Moroccan mint tea and many garden kitchens. Folk tradition uses it after meals and as a mild, sweet cup that suits children and those who find peppermint too strong.
These are traditional descriptions, not proof that spearmint treats, cures or prevents any disease. A lasting health concern deserves a conversation with your healthcare provider.
Preparations
These are the kitchen methods I use. They are not official doses.
Tea (an infusion)
- Put 1–2 teaspoons of the dried herb in a mug.
- Pour about 8 ounces of just-boiled water over it.
- Cover and steep 5–10 minutes, then strain.
Covering the cup keeps the aromatic oils in your tea.
Tincture or extract
Strength varies by maker. The bottle label is the dose, not a blog. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist before you start drops for a health concern.
Cautions — who should skip it, or ask first
- Reflux (heartburn): mints can make it worse for some people.
- Pregnancy: normal tea and food amounts are traditional; ask before medicinal use.
- Spreads aggressively in the garden. Grow it in a pot.
- Stop if you get a rash, itching, stomach upset, or anything that feels off.
From the shop
You will find spearmint in: Mortal Trinkets PleasanTeas®, Fallen Angel PleasanTeas®, Respiratory Relief Oxymel Herbal Honey and Vinegar Extracts, Respiratory Relief Herbal Extracts Subscription, Respiratory Relief Tea Blend Subscription, Trial Size Tea Sample Crooked Crows®, Love Thyself Tea, Bitters Variety Collection in Plush Velvet Bags.
If you are not sure whether a product is right for you, write me before you order.
References
- GBIF Backbone Taxonomy: Mentha spicata L. (scientific name and family).
- El Menyiy N et al. Medicinal Uses, Phytochemistry, Pharmacology, and Toxicology of Mentha spicata. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2022. PubMed 35463088.
- Mahboubi M Mentha spicata L. essential oil, phytochemistry and its effectiveness in flatulence. J Tradit Complement Med. 2021. PubMed 33728265.
- El Hassani FZ Characterization, activities, and ethnobotanical uses of Mentha species in Morocco. Heliyon. 2020. PubMed 33294657.
This page is for education and traditional-use context, not medical advice.
A Note from Erin
Everything I share here is my own opinion, and I’ve listed my references so you can read the sources for yourself. I’m not a doctor, and nothing on this blog is medical advice. When I mention an herb or one of my products, I’m telling you how it has traditionally been used, not promising that it will cure, treat, or prevent anything. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Please consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before trying any herb, especially if you’re pregnant or nursing, take medication, or have a health condition.
