Spearmint is native to Europe and Asia and has been naturalized in North America and parts of Africa. The leaves are used fresh or dried to flavour many foods, particularly sweets, beverages, salads, soups, cheeses, meats, fish, sauces, fruits, and vegetables.
What is the spearmint used for?
Spearmint is an herb. The leaves and oil are used to make medicine. Spearmint is used for digestive disorders including gas, indigestion, nausea, diarrhea, upper gastrointestinal tract spasms, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), bile duct and gallbladder swelling (inflammation), and gallstones.
What are the most common uses for spearmint?
Possible health benefits of spearmint
Some people use spearmint to help alleviate symptoms of nausea, indigestion, gas, headache, toothache, cramps, and sore throat. It is also applied topically, to the skin, to help reduce swelling due to nerve or muscle pain.
Can humans eat spearmint?
Fresh spearmint also contains small amounts of vitamins A and C, as well as the minerals iron and calcium. Mint is safe for most people and consuming it doesn’t typically cause side effects. Allergies to mint are uncommon.
What can I use fresh spearmint for?
It’s an incredibly versatile, tasty herb.
- Add Fresh Mint to Greek Yogurt with Berries.
- Make Tea from Fresh Mint Leaves.
- Change Up Your Protein Smoothie.
- Mix Up Your Salad Game.
- Mint Sauce and Mint Jelly.
- Make a Mint Lime Fizzler.
- Cool Off This Summer with Watermelon Mint Popsicles.
Can guys drink spearmint tea?
Men need to be cautious with spearmint tea because it lowers testosterone. But, some men have too much testosterone, and that could be what is causing acne.
Is it safe to drink spearmint tea?
Stay on the safe side and stick to food amounts. Kidney disorders: Spearmint tea might increase kidney damage. Using large amounts of spearmint tea might make kidney disorders worse. Liver disease: Spearmint tea might increase liver damage.
Is spearmint good for skin?
Used topically and cosmetically, the antioxidant quality of Spearmint Essential Oil reduces the appearance of wrinkles and skin imperfections, such as discoloration. It is believed to help reveal a new layer of skin, thus increasing skin’s resilience and elasticity.
What spearmint smells like?
Spearmint Essential Oil smells minty, fresh and perhaps slightly fruity in aroma. It is somewhat less intense than peppermint.
What is spearmint tea used for?
Spearmint tea may be able to help your stomach muscles relax, helping these and other digestive problems subside. Spearmint tea may also help improve your memory. One study showed that older people with memory issues who were given daily spearmint extract supplements saw a 15 % improvement in their memory.
Can you chew spearmint leaves?
Mint leaves are generally safe for consumption, however people with gastroesophageal reflux disease should minimize the consumption as it may cause stomach irritation. Menthol oil is contraindicated in children to use topically as it may cause breathing difficulties.
What’s the difference between spearmint and mint?
1. Menthol: Both spearmint and peppermint contain menthol, but spearmint has 0.5 percent menthol while peppermint has forty percent menthol, giving peppermint its signature numbing flavor. 2. Taste: Spearmint has a subtler, lighter flavor, vaguely sweet flavor.
Is spearmint the same as mint?
The term “mint” is an umbrella term for the Mentha plant family that includes spearmint, peppermint, orange mint, apple mint, pineapple mint and more. Mint is a perennial and wide-spreading herb.
Can we drink mint water daily?
You can drink refreshing mint water all day to stay healthy and hydrated. You may also notice improvements in your digestive system if you favor mint water over other higher calorie beverages.
What can I do with dried spearmint leaves?
Dried mint is wonderful sprinkled into salads or spooned into dressings—I always add a teaspoon to the staple Middle Eastern chopped salad of finely diced cucumbers, tomatoes, and onions, sharpened with a squeeze of lemon juice and lots of extra virgin olive oil.
What does mint leaves do for your skin?
The strong anti-inflammatory properties in mint leaves work well in healing cuts, wounds, mosquito bites and even treat dry and itchy skin. Extract mint leaf juice and apply it on the wound, or dry skin, as this will help to soothe irritating and burning skin.
Who shouldn’t drink spearmint tea?
1. Acid Reflux. While spearmint tea is excellent at helping ease digestive issues, those who suffer from GERD (gastrointestinal reflux disease) may want to skip out on spearmint tea. This is because spearmint can have a relaxing effect on the esophagus which in turn can cause acid reflux to flow and lead to heartburn.
Is spearmint tea good for sleep?
Spearmint tea may help promote relaxation and reduce stress. In fact, in South American countries, this tea is commonly used to treat stress and insomnia. In one study in rats, a spearmint extract was found to decrease anxiety and improve sleep ( 23 ).
Is spearmint tea good for hair growth?
Spearmint May Help Balance Hormones
Although this area requires further study, there’s some research suggesting that spearmint can balance the body’s hormones in ways that could help alleviate dandruff and promote healthy hair growth.
Is spearmint tea good for skin?
Spearmint tea to is rich in antioxidants and antibacterials, and consuming it daily will kill acne-causing bacteria and lead to clearer skin. Antioxidants in spearmint tea kill bacteria and minimise inflammation associated with acne.
Does spearmint reduce testosterone?
Free and total testosterone levels were significantly reduced over the 30 day period in the spearmint tea group (p < 0.05). LH and FSH also increased (p < 0.05). Patient's subjective assessments of their degree of hirsutism scored by the modified DQLI were significantly reduced in the spearmint tea group (p < 0.05).