4 replies to this topic

[alpha2A]

Hi All.

 

I can't find almost anything at all about spearmint on this forum, so I'm starting this thread.

 

I've liked the taste of spearmint for as long I can remember, most notably in the form of chewing gum with xylitol, but I drank my first cup of spearmint tea/infusion only yesterday.  I prepared the drink from hot water and powdered spearmint leaf, which was not particularly expensive.

 

As for the effects of this herb, it seems to be best known (beyond its use for flavour) for reducing androgens in women.  Anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory effects are also often mentioned, as well as benefits for certain stomach complaints.  It is known to contain rosemarinic acid, which is claimed to be beneficial for working memory.

 

In my own (still very brief!) experience, it often improves mood, though not dramatically.  I don't know if it provides this effect on its own, or whether it interacts with adaptogens (eg. ginseng, rhodiola rosea, and ashwagandha).  Meanwhile, I haven't noticed anything at all from saffron, which is certainly more well-known than spearmint for its antidepressant effects.

 

Please add to this thread if you have more information about spearmint, including personal experience!

 

-alpha2A

[Galaxyshock]

Hmm spearmint I guess differs from peppermint, which contains good amount of menthol that has neuroactive effects like kappa-agonism. Spearmint does taste good as chewing gum but I haven't tried it as flavor for tea. It's nice that these spices can have therapeutic effects and almost never cause negative side effects. I like chamomile tea as anxiolytic but kinda dislike the taste, don't know if spearmint could cover the taste?

[alpha2A]

Spearmint does taste good as chewing gum but I haven't tried it as flavor for tea.

 

To be clear, in this case, it is not just a flavour for regular (black or green) tea, but it's an infusion (or tisane) based entirely on spearmint.
 

It's nice that these spices can have therapeutic effects and almost never cause negative side effects.

Yes. I used to be rather prejudiced against herbs like these, that don't contain caffeine or other alkaloids like cocaine. Now, I'm finding that some of them are not really necessarily pharmacodynamically inert. In fact, some of them have more powerful psychotropical effects than some prescription drugs (eg. I feel lamotrigine is inert for me).
 

I like chamomile tea as anxiolytic but kinda dislike the taste, don't know if spearmint could cover the taste?

 

I think it would certainly affect the taste, but probably not mask the chamomile.  Personally, I like the smell of chamomile.

 

Have you tried caraway?  I'm not sure it's appropriate, but I'd put it in the same category of substances as chamomile.

 

-alpha2A

[Mind]

Many studies show that spearmint can help with concentration: https://www.scienced...271531718308431

[Galaxyshock]

Cool so spearmint is a nootropic on its own, nice finding. I wonder if the essential oil of it is more powerful than whole herb, perhaps even as aromatherapy. Lavender essential oil, just sniffing it, gives me rapid anxiolytic effect which I like.