PDR for Herbal Medicines

HERBAL MONOGRAPHS SPEARMINT/709

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

Unproven Uses: Spanish Chestnut leaves are used for

complaints affecting the respiratory tract, such as bronchitis

and whooping cough, leg pain, circulation and diarrhea, and

as a gargle for sore throats.

PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS

No health hazards or side effects are known in conjunction

with the proper administration of designated therapeutic

dosages.

DOSAGE

Preparation: An infusion is prepared by pouring boiling

water over 5 gm of comminuted drug and then straining it.

Daily Dosage: The average single dose is 5 gm of drug or 5

gm of liquid extract.

LITERATURE

Haddock EA et al.. PH 21:1049-1062. 1982.

Hansel R. Keller K. Rimpler H. Schneider G (Hrsg.), Hagers

Handbuch der Pharmazeutischen Praxis, 5. AufL, Bde 4-6

(Drogen). Springer Verlag Berlin. Heidelberg, New York, 1992-

1994.

Leung AY. Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients Used

in Food Drugs and Cosmetics. John Wiley & Sons Inc., New

York 1980.

Madaus G. Lehrbuch der Biologischen Arzneimittel, Bde 1-3,

Nachdruck. Georg Olms Verlag Hildesheim 1979.

Wichtl M (Hrsg.). Teedrogen. 4. AufL, Wiss. Verlagsges.

Stuttgart 1997.

Spearmint
Mentha spicata
DESCRIPTION
Medicinal Parts: The medicinal parts are the steamed
distillation of the fresh, flowering, aerial parts, and the leaves
collected during the flowering season and dried.
Flower and Fruit: The spike-like inflorescence consists of
false whorls in the axils of the bracts. The 5-tipped calyx is
campanulate; glabrous or pubescent and is surrounded by a
5-tipped, pale lilac, pink or white corolla, which is almost
half as long again as the calyx. The nutlet is reticulate in
pubescent plants and smooth in glabrous plants.
Leaves, Stem and Root: The plant is 30 to 60 cm during the
flowering season. Runners grow from the buds at the base of
the stem. The quadrangular stem is ascendent or erect and
usually thickly pubescent. The leaves are oblong-ovate or
lanceolate, decussate, smooth or wrinkled, regularly serrate,
and glabrous to thickly pubescent. The upper leaves are
sessile, the lower ones short petiolate.

Habitat: The plant probably originates from the Mediterrane-

an region and is now naturalized in large pans of Europe and

North America.

Production: Spearmint is the aerial pan of Mentha spicata.

Spearmint oil is the essential oil extracted from the plant.

Other Names: Curled Mint, Garden Mint. Mackerel Mint,

Our Lady's Mint, Green Mint, Spire Mint. Sage of Bethle-

hem, Fish Mint, Lamb Mint

ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY

COMPOUNDS: IN THE FOLIAGE

Volatile oil (0.8-2.5%) - :.

Flavonoids: thymonin

Caffeic acid derivatives: including among others rosmaric

acid in the volatile oil

Chief components: L-carvone (40-80^. aroma-carrier), (-)-

limonene (5-15%), additionally including among others beta-

bourbonene, cis- and transcarvylacetate. caryophyllene, 1,8-

cineole, dihydrocarveol, trans-sabinene hydrate

EFFECTS

The oil produced contains a high proportion of carvon,

which produces the spearmint smell. It has antispasmodic,

carminative and stimulant effects.

In vitro, an antimicrobial effect was observed. The drug is

insecticidal and shows a neurodepressive effect in animal

experiments (increased duration of sleep).

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

Unproven Uses: Spearmint is used for digestive disorders

and as a remedy for flatulence. The essential oil is used as an

aromatic preparation. Spearmint leaves are used as

carminative.

PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS

No health hazards or side effects are known in conjunction

with the proper administration of designated therapeutic

dosages. The volatile oil possesses a weak potential for

sensitization due to its menthol and L-carvone content.

DOSAGE

Mode of Administration: Spearmint is mainly used internally

in the form of an oil or concentrate.

LITERATURE

Hansel R, Keller K, Rimpler H, Schneider G tHrsg.), Hagers

Handbuch der Pharmazeutischen Praxis. 5. Aufl.. Bde 4-6

(Drogen), Springer Verlag Berlin, Heidelberg. New York, 1992-

1994.

Hausen B, Allergiepflanzen, Pflanzenallergene. ecomed

Verlagsgesellsch. mbH, Landsberg 1988.

Hefendehl FW, Murray MJ, (1973) Planta Med 23:101.