Spearmint is native to the Mediterranean, but due to its popularity in food applications, you can find spearmint growing in herbal gardens throughout most of the world. A close relative to peppermint, spearmint---whose botanical name is menthe spicata---has been used for medicinal purposes going all the way back to the ancient Greeks. In aromatherapy settings, spearmint shares many of the same uses as its powerful cousin peppermint but has fewer side effects and does not possess quite the same medicinal power.
Characteristics
The essential oil aromatherapist's use comes from the plant's flowering tops. Steam distilling them produces the essential oil. It carries the expected fresh, minty aroma with a spicy and sweet undertone. It holds a pale yellow to almost olive hue. Spearmint oil works well in many aromatherapy blends, including with peppermint oil, due to its similar but more subtle effects.
Components
Spearmint oil contains many different chemical components. These constituents impart spearmint's properties and dictate its aromatherapeutic uses. E. Joy Bowles' research on essential oil's chemistry published in "The Chemistry of Aromatherapeutic Oils," indicates that spearmint oil contains 42 percent of carvone. After that, the next largest component is dihydrocarvone, which accounts for less than 16 percent of the oil. Spearmint contains 6 percent of cineole and smaller amounts of numerous other components.
Properties
Spearmint oil's properties include many that make it useful in aromatherapy treatments. In her text "375 Essential Oils and Hydrosols," Jeanne Rose notes that spearmint works as an anti-inflammatory. Some scientific research, such as a 2008 study published in the Journal of Zhejiang University, found that spearmint exhibited an anti-inflammatory effect on rats' lung tissue. Aromatherapist Julie Lawless details in her book "The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Essential Oils," that spearmint also acts as a decongestant and mild stimulant.
Uses
Aromatherapists will use spearmint in many different treatments. Lawless and Rose both recommend its use for a variety of respiratory conditions, including sinus and bronchial infections. They say that the anti-inflammatory action reduces tissue inflammation, while the decongestant ability helps you get rid of the stuffiness in your head or mucus buildup in your chest. Lawless says that it can also help to relieve a headache and temporarily fight off fatigue.
Safety
Essential oils and aromatherapy can have powerful effects on your body. Prior to using spearmint oil, you should discuss it with your doctor or a certified aromatherapist to make sure it's appropriate for you and your condition. Lawless describes spearmint as generally safe to use because it is not toxic and doesn't irritate skin.
References
- "375 Essential Oils and Hydrosols"; Jeanne Rose; 1999
- "The Chemistry of Aromatherapeutic Oils"; E. Joy Bowles; 2003
- "The Illustated Encyclopedia of Essential Oils"; Julie Lawless; 1995
- PubMed.gov: Journal of Zhejiang University: Effect of Spearmint Oil on Inflammation
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