Culinary Uses

Culinary uses for spearmint are extensive, including flavoring iced tea, alcoholic drinks, candy, cocktails, dips, sauces, and entire meals, as well as being incorporated into hygienic products such as mouthwash, toothpaste, and soaps due to its distinctive clean scent [A-7].

Health Benefits

Medicinally, spearmint offers profound health benefits supported by its rich nutrient profile, which includes alpha-pinene, beta-pinene, carvone, caryophyllene, cineole, limonene, linalool, iron, potassium, riboflavin, thiamin, vitamin A, and vitamin C [A-7]. The essential oils in spearmint help address fatigue and stress, with a cup of spearmint tea easing the mind when feeling stressed [A-7].

For women, spearmint demonstrates anti-androgenic properties that can reduce unwanted hair growth and provide relief from morning sickness, nausea, and vomiting during pregnancy [A-7]. The menthol content protects the mouth, gums, and teeth from bacterial infections, preventing cavities and gingivitis while combating bad breath [A-7]. Spearmint also provides relief for respiratory problems including congestion and sore throats, and addresses gastrointestinal issues such as bloating, cramping, and flatulence [A-7].

With more than 100% of the daily recommended amount of iron, spearmint supports red blood cell production, enhancing energy levels and wound healing, while its potassium content helps regulate blood pressure, reducing risks of atherosclerosis, heart attacks, and strokes [A-7]. The body systems supported by spearmint include digestion, respiratory health, hormonal balance, circulation, heart health, and immune function, making it a versatile herbal medicine capable of treating hormonal imbalances by stimulating the endocrine system and inhibiting excessive testosterone production [A-7].

Pest Control

Critters that spearmint attracts or detracts include a notable pest-repellent quality, as its strong scent causes insects to avoid it, making spearmint an effective natural deterrent for ants and other household pests [A-7]. For pest control applications, a spray combining peppermint oil (which is a hybrid of spearmint and water mint) with clove oil and water can be used around entry points to repel ants and deter pests from shelters or food storage areas [A-3].

Sources

¹ "GMOs and Health The Scientific Basis for Serious Concern and Immediate Action" by GreenMedInfo.com↩︎
² "Prepping 101_ How to grow food in an indoor survival garden - NaturalNews.com, January 28, 2022" by NaturalNews.com↩︎
³ "Natures toolkit Essential oils for your survival and emergency preparedness - NaturalNews.com, August 12, 2025" by NaturalNews.com↩︎
⁴ "Medicinal plants for preppers_ How to identify yarrow a natural astringent - NaturalNews.com, November 16, 2020" by NaturalNews.com↩︎
⁵ "Oxamyl  toxicity side effects diseases and environmental impacts - NaturalNews.com, November 17, 2017" by NaturalNews.com↩︎
⁶ "Survival medicine_ 10 Medicinal plants used by the Cherokees - NaturalNews.com, September 10, 2020" by NaturalNews.com↩︎
⁷ "Spearmint - sources health benefits nutrients uses and constituents at NaturalPediacom - NaturalNews.com, June 30, 2017" by NaturalNews.com ↩︎