Spearmint is high in beneficial antioxidant compounds that help protect against and repair damage caused by free radicals, which can lead to oxidative stress.
Oxidative Stress has been linked to chronic conditions, including heart disease, cancer and diabetes.
Spearmint tea is commonly used to relieve stress. While studies are limited, this mint contains compounds that have been shown to promote relaxation and significantly reduce stress.
Health benefits of spearmint essential oil can be given to its agent as not only an antiseptic, antispasmodic, carminative, cephalic, emmenagogue, restorative and as a stimulant substance.
Spearmint oil is also extracted by steam distillation of flowering tops of the spearmint plant. Mentha Spicata is its scientific name if you want to get all serious about it.
The components that make up this oil are; alpha-pinene, beta-pinene, carvone, cineole, caryophyllene, linalool, limonene, menthol, and myrcenes.
Menthol has a similar scent to Peppermint oil. Unlike the peppermint oil, spearmint leaves have a menthol content negligibly. Spearmint oil can be used as a substitute for peppermint oil, due to its similarities in the actual compound and properties that make up the oils. But, nevertheless, Spearmint Oil is also packed with health Benefits as well.
It speeds up wound healing by being an antiseptic for wounds and ulcers, it prevents them from becoming septic while also helping them to heal faster. These antiseptic agents come from the components like menthol, myrcene, and caryophyllene.
It relieves spasms by being a cooling effect on the nerves and muscles to help relax contractions in the case of spasms. It's frequently prescribed to provide the effective relief from spasmatic coughs, aches, pulling sensations and aches in the abdominal region and intestines. This includes its ability to soothe the muscle strains or cramps, nervous convulsions, and even spasmodic cholera.
The anti-bacterial anti-fungal, and antiviral agents within this oil make it also a disinfectant. It can help to get rid of both internal and external infections. It is particularly great in protecting internal wounds and ulcers, like those in the stomach, throat, and intestines. Ancient days it was used in Greece to treat infectious diseases like scabies, dermatitis, athletes’ foot, syphilis, gonorrhea and other infectious or transmittable diseases.
It's also a carminative for its relaxing properties it helps to relax the intestines and muscles of the abdominal region, thereby allowing the gases formed in the stomach and intestines to pass out of the body naturally. This provides relief from many health concerns, including uneasiness and restlessness, insomnia, headaches, stomach aches, indigestion, loss of appetite, chest pain, vomiting, cramps and other related symptoms while relieving stress as well. This oil has a relaxing cooling effect on the brain, which removes stress on our cognitive center. IT helps people to focus and concentrate, and since it's a cephalic substance, it helps to cure head aches and other stress-related neural issues. This oil is supposed to be good for the overall health and protecting of the brain at the same time.
It can also regulate menstruation for woman who frequent issues with menstruation, such as irregular periods, obstructed menses and early menopause can be solved with the help of this essential oil. It promotes secretion of the hormones like estrogen, which facilitates menstruation while also ensuring good uterine health benefits and sexual health. It can also relieve many of the symptoms that come with menstruation like fatigue, nausea, pain in the lower abdominal region.
It's also a stimulant, because it stimulates the secretion of hormones and the discharge of enzymes, gastric juices, and bile. It also stimulates the nerves function and promotes good blood circulation. This keeps the metabolic activity high and boosts the strength of the immune system because of it stimulating good circulation, it also boosts immunity and toxin removal.
The restorative function of spearmint oil is to restore health and maintain proper functioning of all the organ systems operating within the body. A restorative also helps to restore damages done to the body while also aiding in recovery from injuries and wounds. It helps to also regain strength after long bouts of illness.
Spearmint is also an insecticide. It's effective at killing mites, scabies, and keeps mosquitos, white ants, ants, flies and moths away. It can be safely applied on the skin for protection against mosquito bites.
Other benefits of spearmint are that it can help to treat asthma and congestion due to its decongestant properties. It also will give relief from fevers, excess flatulence, constipation, sinusitis, acne, gum and teeth problems, migraines, stress, and depression. Being far lower in menthol content, it can be safely given to children to relieve their various ailments as well.
There are no reported dangers of this essential oil, but as an emmenagogue, it should not be taken by pregnant women as it can cause miscarriage.
Oils that blend well with Spearmint are Basil, Jasmine, Eucalyptus, and Rosemary.