View source for Spearmint

{{Short description|Plant species in the mint family}}
{{Speciesbox
| name = Spearmint 
| image = Minze.jpg
| status = LC
| status_system = IUCN3.1
| status_ref = <ref name=IUCN>{{cite iucn | author = Lansdown, R.V. | title = ''Mentha spicata'' | article-number = e.T164464A42395980 | year = 2014 | access-date = 21 May 2022}}</ref>
| genus = Mentha
| species = spicata
| authority = [[L.]]
| subdivision_ranks = Subspecies
| subdivision_ref = <ref name="POWO" />
| subdivision = {{Species list
 | M. spicata subsp. condensata | (Briq.) Greuter & Burdet
 | M. spicata subsp. spicata |
}}
| synonyms_ref = <ref name="POWO subsp condensata">{{cite POWO |id=924345-1 |title=''Mentha spicata'' subsp. ''condensata'' (Briq.) Greuter & Burdet |access-date=5 December 2024}}</ref><ref name="POWO subsp spicata">{{cite POWO |id=77171344-1 |title=''Mentha spicata'' subsp. ''spicata'' |access-date=5 December 2024}}</ref>
| synonyms =
 {{Species list |hidden=yes
 | Mentha aquatica var. crispa | (L.) Benth.
 | Mentha aquatica subsp. crispa | (L.) G.Mey.
 | Mentha atrata | Schur
 | Mentha balsamea | Rchb.
 | Mentha brevispicata | Lehm.
 | Mentha chalepensis | Mill.
 | Mentha cordato-ovata | Opiz
 | Mentha crispa | L.
 | Mentha crispata | Schrad. ex Willd.
 | Mentha derelicta | Déségl.
 | Mentha glabra | Mill.
 | Mentha hortensis | Opiz ex Fresen.
 | Mentha inarimensis | Guss.
 | Mentha integerrima | Mattei & Lojac.
 | Mentha lacerata | Opiz
 | Mentha laciniosa | Schur
 | Mentha laevigata | Willd.
 | Mentha lejeuneana | Opiz
 | Mentha lejeunei | Opiz ex Rchb.
 | Mentha longifolia var. crispata | (Schrad. ex Willd.) Rouy
 | Mentha longifolia var. laevigata | (Willd.) Rouy
 | Mentha longifolia var. piperella | (Lej.) Rouy
 | Mentha longifolia subvar. psilostachya | (Pérard) Rouy
 | Mentha longifolia var. stenophylla | Rouy
 | Mentha longifolia subsp. undulata | (Willd.) Briq.
 | Mentha longifolia var. undulata | (Willd.) Briq.
 | Mentha longifolia subsp. viridis | (L.) Rouy
 | Mentha michelii | Ten. ex Rchb.
 | Mentha microphylla | K.Koch
 | Mentha mollissima var. undulata | (Willd.) Heinr.Braun
 | Mentha × niliaca var. rosanii|(Ten.) Briq.
 | Mentha ocymiodora | Opiz
 | Mentha pectinata | Raf.
 | Mentha piperella | (Lej.) Opiz ex Lej. & Courtois
 | Mentha × piperita var. crispa|(L.) W.D.J.Koch
 | Mentha × piperita var. inarimensis| (Guss.) Briq.
 | Mentha pudina | Buch.-Ham. ex Benth.
 | Mentha romana | Bubani
 | Mentha romana | Garsault
 | Mentha rosanii | Ten.
 | Mentha rubicunda | Haw. ex Spach
 | Mentha scotica | R.A.Graham
 | Mentha sepincola | Holuby
 | Mentha sieberi | K.Koch
 | Mentha sofiana | Trautm.
 | Mentha stenostachya | (Boiss.) Nevski
 | Mentha subsessilis | Borbás
 | Mentha sylvestris var. stenostachya | Boiss.
 | Mentha sylvestris var. crispa | (L.) Alef.
 | Mentha sylvestris var. crispata | W.D.J.Koch
 | Mentha sylvestris convar. cyrtophylla | Alef.
 | Mentha sylvestris var. glabra | W.D.J.Koch
 | Mentha sylvestris var. glabrata | Benth.
 | Mentha sylvestris var. oblongifolia | Wimm. & Grab.
 | Mentha sylvestris var. rosanii | (Ten.) Strail
 | Mentha sylvestris var. undulata | (Willd.) W.D.J.Koch
 | Mentha sylvestris var. viridis | (L.) Alef.
 | Mentha sylvestris subsp. viridis | (L.) Batt.
 | Mentha tauschii | Heinr.Braun
 | Mentha tenuiflora | Opiz
 | Mentha tenuifolia | Opiz ex Rchb.
 | Mentha tenuis | Michx.
 | Mentha tomentosa | d'Urv.
 | Mentha undulata | Willd.
 | Mentha × villosa var.  rosanii|(Ten.) Rouy
 | Mentha viridifolia | Pérard
 | Mentha viridis | (L.) L.
 | Mentha walteriana | Opiz
 }}
}}

'''Spearmint''' ('''''Mentha spicata'''''), also known as '''garden mint''', '''common mint''', '''lamb mint''' and '''mackerel mint''',<ref name="Seidemann2005">{{cite book|last=Seidemann|first=Johannes|title=World Spice Plants: Economic Usage, Botany, Taxonomy|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fhN0VK2608QC&pg=PA229|year=2005|publisher=Springer |location=New York|isbn=978-3-540-22279-8|page=229}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=''Mentha spicata'', spearmint|url=https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/11055/i-Mentha-spicata-i/Details|website=RHS Gardening|publisher=[[Royal Horticultural Society]]|access-date=2017-06-19|archive-date=2017-12-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171212193134/https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/11055/i-Mentha-spicata-i/Details|url-status=live}}</ref> is native to [[Europe]] and southern temperate [[Asia]], extending from [[Ireland]] in the west to southern [[China]] in the east.<ref>{{Cite web |title=''Mentha spicata'' Spearmint |website=Kew Plants |publisher=Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew |url=https://www.kew.org/plants/spearmint |access-date=2022-11-30 }}</ref> It is naturalized in many other temperate parts of the world, including northern and southern [[Africa]], [[North America]], and [[South America]].<ref name=j>{{cite web|url=https://apps.kew.org/wcsp/namedetail.do?name_id=125402|title=World Checklist of Selected Plant Families: Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew|work=kew.org|access-date=2022-02-21|archive-date=2015-12-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151220144716/http://apps.kew.org/wcsp/namedetail.do?name_id=125402|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=w>{{cite web |url=https://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=2&taxon_id=200019821 |title=Flora of China Vol. 17 Page 238 留兰香 liu lan xiang ''Mentha spicata'' Linnaeus, Sp. Pl. 2: 576. 1753 |publisher=Efloras.org |access-date=2018-08-16 |archive-date=2018-10-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181005004544/http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=2&taxon_id=200019821 |url-status=live }}</ref> It is used as a flavouring in food and [[herbal tea]]s. The [[aromatic oil]], called ''oil of spearmint'', is also used as a flavoring and sometimes as a scent.

The species and its subspecies have many [[Synonym (taxonomy)|synonyms]], including ''Mentha crispa'', ''Mentha crispata,'' and ''Mentha viridis''.

==Description==
[[File:Spearmint in Bangladesh 03.jpg|thumb|Spearmint in Bangladesh]]
Spearmint is a [[perennial plant|perennial]] [[herbaceous plant]]. It is {{cvt|30|–|100|cm|in}} tall, with variably hairless to hairy stems and foliage, and a wide-spreading fleshy underground [[rhizome]] from which it grows. The [[leaves]] are {{cvt|5|–|9|cm|in|frac=4}} long and {{cvt|1.5|–|3|cm|in|frac=4}} broad, with a serrated margin. The stem is square-shaped, a defining characteristic of the mint family of [[herbs]]. Spearmint produces [[flower]]s in slender spikes, each flower pink or white in colour, {{cvt|2.5|–|3|mm|in}} long and broad.<ref name=w/><ref name=rhs>Huxley, A., ed. (1992). ''New RHS Dictionary of Gardening''. Macmillan {{ISBN|0-333-47494-5}}.{{page needed|date=February 2013}}</ref> Spearmint flowers in the summer (from July to September in the northern hemisphere),<ref name=":02">{{Cite journal|last1=Vokou|first1=D.|last2=Kokkini|first2=S.|date=1989-04-01|title=''Mentha spicata'' (Lamiaceae) chemotypes growing wild in Greece|journal=Economic Botany|language=en|volume=43|issue=2|pages=192–202|doi=10.1007/BF02859860|s2cid=32109061|issn=1874-9364}}</ref> and has relatively large seeds, which measure {{cvt|0.62|-|0.90|mm}}.<ref name=":02" /> The name <nowiki>''spear''</nowiki> mint derives from the pointed leaf tips.<ref name=turner>[[William Turner (ornithologist)|Turner, W.]] (1568). ''Herbal''. Cited in the ''[[Oxford English Dictionary]]''.</ref>

''Mentha spicata'' varies considerably in leaf blade dimensions, the prominence of leaf veins, and pubescence.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://gobotany.nativeplanttrust.org/species/mentha/spicata/|title=''Mentha spicata'' (spearmint): Go Botany|website=gobotany.nativeplanttrust.org|access-date=2018-12-10|archive-date=2019-05-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190518072049/https://gobotany.nativeplanttrust.org/species/mentha/spicata/|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Taxonomy==
''Mentha spicata'' was first described scientifically by [[Carl Linnaeus]] in 1753.<ref name="POWO" /> The epithet ''spicata'' means 'bearing a spike'.<ref name=Stea04p499>{{Cite book |first=W.T. |last=Stearn |year=2004 |title=Botanical Latin |edition=4th (p/b) |location=Portland, Oregon |isbn=978-0-7153-1643-6 |publisher=Timber Press}} p. 499.</ref>  The species has two accepted subspecies, each of which has acquired a large number of synonyms:<ref name="POWO">{{cite POWO |id=451162-1 |title=''Mentha spicata'' L. |access-date=5 December 2024}}</ref><ref name="POWO subsp condensata" /><ref name="POWO subsp spicata" />
*''Mentha spicata'' subsp. ''condensata'' <small>(Briq.) Greuter & Burdet</small> – eastern Mediterranean, from [[Italy]] to [[Egypt]]
*''Mentha spicata'' subsp. ''spicata'' – distribution as for the species as a whole

=== Origin ===
The plant is an [[allopolyploid]] species (2''n''&nbsp;=&nbsp;48),<ref name="Kadereit-2004">{{cite book | editor-last=Kadereit | editor-first=Joachim W. | series=The Families and Genera of Vascular Plants | title=Flowering Plants · Dicotyledons | publisher=[[Springer Berlin Heidelberg]] | publication-place=[[Berlin]], [[Heidelberg]] | year=2004 | isbn=978-3-642-62200-7 | doi=10.1007/978-3-642-18617-2 | page=176 | volume=VII| s2cid=46574312 }}</ref><ref name="Harley-Brighton-1977">{{cite journal | last1=Harley | first1=R. M. | last2=Brighton | first2=C. A. | title=Chromosome numbers in the genus ''Mentha'' L. | journal=[[Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society]] | publisher=[[Linnean Society of London]] ([[Oxford University Press|OUP]]) | volume=74 | issue=1 | year=1977 | issn=0024-4074 | doi=10.1111/j.1095-8339.1977.tb01168.x | pages=71–96}}</ref> which could be a result of hybridization and chromosome doubling. ''[[Mentha longifolia]]'' and ''[[Mentha suaveolens]]'' (2''n''&nbsp;=&nbsp;24) are likely to be the contributing [[diploid]] species.<ref name=":02" /><ref>{{Cite book|last=Harley|first=R. M.|date=1972|contribution=Mentha|title=Flora Europaea|volume=3}}</ref><ref name=TuckNacz07/>

=== Hybrids ===
''Mentha spicata'' hybridizes with other ''Mentha'' species, forming [[Hybrid (biology)|hybrids]] such as:<ref name=TuckNacz07>{{cite book |first1=Arthur O. |last1=Tucker |first2=Robert F. C. |last2=Naczi |year=2007 |chapter=''Mentha'': An Overview of its Classification and Relationships |pages=1–39 |editor1-first=Brian M. |editor1-last=Lawrence |title=Mint: The Genus ''Mentha'' |publisher=CRC Press, Taylor and Francis Group |location=Boca Raton, Florida |isbn=978-0-8493-0779-9}}</ref>

* [[Peppermint|''Mentha'' × ''piperita'']] (hybrid with ''[[Mentha aquatica]]''), black peppermint, hairy peppermint
* [[Mentha × gracilis|''Mentha'' × ''gracilis'']] (hybrid with ''[[Mentha arvensis]]''), Scotch spearmint
* [[Mentha × villosa|''Mentha'' × ''villosa'']] (hybrid with ''[[Mentha suaveolens]]'')

=== Varieties and cultivars ===
There are several commonly available<ref name=RHS>[[Royal Horticultural Society]] plant finder and selector https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/search-results?form-mode=true&query=Mentha%20spicata</ref> [[Variety (botany)|varieties]] and [[Cultivar|cultivars]] of ''Mentha spicata'':
* ''M. spicata'' var. ''crispa'' (syn. ''M. spicata'' 'Crispa') – with very crinkled leaves.<ref name=RHS />
* ''M. spicata'' var. ''crispa'' 'Moroccan' – with crinkled leaves and white flowers.<ref name=RHS />
* ''M. spicata'' 'Tashkent' – with slightly crinkled leaves.<ref name=RHS />
* ''M. spicata'' 'Spanish' – with mauve-pink flowers.<ref name=RHS />

==History and domestication==

Mention of spearmint dates back to at least the 1st century AD, with references from naturalist Pliny and mentions in the Bible.<ref name=":12">{{Cite web|url=https://www.encyclopedia.com/plants-and-animals/plants/plants/spearmint|title=Spearmint {{!}} Encyclopedia.com|website=www.encyclopedia.com|access-date=2018-12-10|archive-date=2018-12-11|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181211095601/https://www.encyclopedia.com/plants-and-animals/plants/plants/spearmint|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":13">{{Cite web|url=https://www.ourherbgarden.com/herb-history/mint.html|title=Mint|date=2013-03-02|website=Our Herb Garden|language=en-US|access-date=2018-12-10|archive-date=2023-02-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230219171826/http://www.ourherbgarden.com/herb-history/mint.html}}</ref> Further records show descriptions of mint in ancient mythology.<ref name=":13" /> Findings of early versions of toothpaste using mint in the 14th century suggest widespread domestication by this point.<ref name=":13" /> It was introduced into England by the Romans by the 5th century, and [[William Turner (naturalist)|Turner]] mentions mint as being good for the stomach.<ref name=":13" /> [[John Gerard]]'s ''Herbal'' (1597) states that: "It is good against watering eyes and all manner of break outs on the head and sores. "It is applied with salt to the biting of mad dogs," and that "They lay it on the stinging of [[wasp]]s and bees with good success."  He also mentions that "the smell rejoices the heart of man", for which reason they used to strew it in chambers and places of recreation, pleasure, and repose, where feasts and banquets are made."<ref>{{cite book|title=A Modern Herbal: The Medicinal, Culinary, Cosmetic and Economic Properties, Cultivation and Folk-lore of Herbs, Grasses, Fungi, Shrubs, & Trees with All Their Modern Scientific Uses, Volume 2|author=Grieve, Maud|year=1971}}</ref>

Spearmint is documented as being an important cash crop in [[Connecticut]] during the period of the [[American Revolution]], at which time mint tea was noted as being a popular drink due to it not being taxed.<ref name=":12" />

== Ecology ==
Spearmint can readily adapt to grow in various types of soil. Spearmint tends to thrive with plenty of organic material in full sun to part shade. The plant is also known to be found in moist habitats such as [[swamp]]s or creeks, where the soil is sand or clay.<ref name=":1">{{cite web |last1=Cao |first1=L. |first2=L. |last2=Berent |first3=R. |last3=Sturtevant |title=''Mentha spicata'' L. |work=U.S. Geological Survey, Nonindigenous Aquatic Species Database, Gainesville, FL, and NOAA Great Lakes Aquatic Nonindigenous Species Information System, Ann Arbor, MI |url=https://nas.er.usgs.gov/queries/greatlakes/FactSheet.aspx?SpeciesID=2671&Potential=N&Type=0&HUCNumber=DHuron |date=2014-07-01 |access-date=2018-12-04 |archive-date=2018-12-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181205103433/https://nas.er.usgs.gov/queries/greatlakes/FactSheet.aspx?SpeciesID=2671&Potential=N&Type=0&HUCNumber=DHuron |url-status=live }}</ref>

Spearmint ideally thrives in soils that are deep, well-drained, moist, rich in nutrients and organic matter, and have a crumbly texture. [[pH|The pH]] range should be between 6.0 and 7.5.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/agriculture/horticulture/vegetables/commodity-growing-guides/mint-growing|title=Mint growing|date=2007-10-23|website=www.dpi.nsw.gov.au|language=en|access-date=2018-12-05|archive-date=2018-12-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181205105126/https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/agriculture/horticulture/vegetables/commodity-growing-guides/mint-growing|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Diseases and pests ===

==== Fungal diseases ====
Fungal diseases are common diseases in spearmint. Two main diseases are rust and leaf spot. ''[[Puccinia menthae]]'' is a fungus that causes the disease called "rust". Rust affects the leaves of spearmint by producing pustules inducing the leaves to fall off. Leaf spot is a fungal disease that occurs when ''Alternaria alernata'' is present on the spearmint leaves. The infection looks like circular dark spot on the top side of the leaf. Other fungi that cause disease in spearmint are ''[[Rhizoctonia solani]]'', ''[[Verticillium dahliae]]'', ''[[Phoma strasseri]]'', and ''[[Erysiphe cichoracearum|Erysiphe cischoracearum]]''.<ref name=":2">{{cite journal|first1=A.|last1=Kalra|first2=H. B.|last2=Singh|first3=R.|last3=Pandey|first4=A.|last4=Samad|first5=N. K.|last5=Patra|first6=Sushil|last6=Kumar|date=2005|title=Diseases in Mint: Causal Organisms, Distribution, and Control Measures|journal=Journal of Herbs, Spices & Medicinal Plants|volume=11|issue=1–2|pages=71–91|doi=10.1300/J044v11n01_03|s2cid=84328718}}</ref>

==== Nematode diseases ====
Some [[nematode]] diseases in spearmint include root knot and root lesions. [[Root-knot nematode|Nematode species that cause root knots]] in this plant are various ''Meloidogyne'' species. The other nematode species are ''[[Pratylenchus]]'' which cause root lesions.<ref name=":2" />

==== Viral and phytoplasmal diseases ====
Spearmint can be infected by [[tobacco ringspot virus]]. This virus can lead to stunted plant growth and deformation of the leaves in this plant. In China, spearmint have been seen with mosaic symptoms and deformed leaves. This is an indication that the plant can also be infected by the viruses, [[Cucumber mosaic virus|cucumber mosaic]] and [[Tomato aspermy virus|tomato aspermy]].<ref name=":2" />

==Cultivation and harvest==
Spearmint grows well in nearly all temperate climates.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Spearmint |url=https://www.plantgrower.org/spearmint.html |access-date=2022-05-02 |website=www.plantgrower.org |language=en}}</ref> Gardeners often grow it in pots or planters due to its invasive, spreading rhizomes.<ref>{{Cite web |title=StackPath |url=https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/weeds/aggressive-garden-plants.htm |access-date=2022-05-02 |website=www.gardeningknowhow.com|date=14 June 2021 }}</ref>

Spearmint leaves can be used fresh, dried, or frozen.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Fernandez |first1=Cory |last2=Rivera Wawrzyn |first2=Andrea |date=2024-05-07 |title=4 Ways to Preserve Fresh Mint for Later |url=https://www.thekitchn.com/gardening-101-how-to-preserve-fresh-mint-for-later-220864 |website=Kitchn |language=en |access-date=2022-05-02}}</ref> The leaves lose their aromatic appeal after the plant flowers. It can be dried by cutting just before, or right (at peak) as the flowers open, about one-half to three-quarters the way down the stalk (leaving smaller shoots room to grow).<ref>{{Cite web |date=2016-01-19 |title=Growing Mint Plants |url=https://maplesnmore.com/blog/growing-mint-plants/ |access-date=2022-05-02 |website=Maples N More Nursery |language=en-US}}</ref> Some dispute exists as to what drying method works best; some prefer different materials (such as plastic or cloth) and different lighting conditions (such as darkness or sunlight). The leaves can also be preserved in salt, sugar, sugar syrup, alcohol, or oil.

==Oil uses==
Spearmint is used for its aromatic oil, called oil of spearmint. The most abundant compound in spearmint oil is [[carvone|''R''-(–)-carvone]], which gives spearmint its distinctive smell. Spearmint oil also contains significant amounts of [[limonene]], dihydrocarvone, and [[Cineol|1,8-cineol]].<ref name="Hussain, et al">{{cite journal |doi=10.1002/jsfa.4021 |title=Seasonal variation in content, chemical composition and antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities of essential oils from four ''Mentha'' species |year=2010 |last1=Hussain |first1=Abdullah I. |last2=Anwar |first2=Farooq |last3=Nigam |first3=Poonam S. |last4=Ashraf |first4=Muhammad |last5=Gilani |first5=Anwarul H. |journal=Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture |pmid=20602517 |pages=1827–1836 |volume=90 |issue=11 |bibcode=2010JSFA...90.1827H |s2cid=22702699 |doi-access=free }}</ref> Unlike oil of [[peppermint]], oil of spearmint contains minimal amounts of [[menthol]] and [[menthone]]. It is used as a flavouring for [[toothpaste]] and [[confectionery]], and is sometimes added to shampoos and soaps.

=== Traditional medicine ===
Spearmint has been used in [[traditional medicine]].<ref name=":1" />

=== Insecticide and pesticide ===
Spearmint essential oil has had success as a [[larvicide]] against [[mosquito]]es. Using spearmint as a larvicide would be a greener alternative to synthetic insecticides due to their toxicity and negative effect to the environment.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Yogalakshmi|first1=K.|last2=Rajeswari|first2=M.|last3=Sivakumar|first3=R.|last4=Govindarajan|first4=M.|date=2012-05-01|title=Chemical composition and larvicidal activity of essential oil from ''Mentha spicata'' (Linn.) against three mosquito species|journal=Parasitology Research|language=en|volume=110|issue=5|pages=2023–2032|doi=10.1007/s00436-011-2731-7|pmid=22139403|s2cid=12022813|issn=1432-1955}}</ref>

Used as a [[fumigant]], spearmint essential oil is an effective [[insecticide]] against adult [[moth]]s.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Eliopoulos |first1=P. A. |last2=Hassiotis |first2=C. N. |last3=Andreadis |first3=S. S. |last4=Porichi |first4=A. E. |year=2015|title=Fumigant toxicity of essential oils from basil and spearmint against two major Pyralid pests of stored products|journal=Journal of Economic Entomology|volume=108|issue=2|pages=805–810|doi=10.1093/jee/tov029|pmid=26470193|s2cid=36828154 |doi-access=free }}</ref>

== Antimicrobial research==
Spearmint has been used for its supposed [[antimicrobial]] activity, which may be related to [[carvone]].<ref name=":8">{{Cite journal|last1=Hussain|first1=Abdullah I.|last2=Anwar|first2=Farooq|last3=Shahid|first3=Muhammad|last4=Ashraf|first4=Muhammad|date=September 2008|title=Chemical Composition, and Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activities of Essential Oil of Spearmint (''Mentha spicata'' L.) From Pakistan|journal=Journal of Essential Oil Research|language=en|volume=22|issue=1|pages=78–84|doi=10.1080/10412905.2010.9700269|s2cid=94606965|issn=1041-2905}}</ref> Its in vitro antibacterial activity has been compared to that of [[amoxicillin]], [[penicillin]], and [[streptomycin]].<ref name=":8" /> Spearmint oil is found to have higher activity against [[gram-positive bacteria]] compared to [[gram-negative bacteria]] in vitro,<ref name=":8" /> which may be due to differing sensitivities to oils.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Gullace|first=M.|date=2007-01-01|title=Antimicrobial and antioxidant properties of the essential oils and methanol extract from ''Mentha longifolia'' L. ssp. ''longifolia''|journal=Food Chemistry|language=en|volume=103|issue=4|pages=1449–1456|doi=10.1016/j.foodchem.2006.10.061|issn=0308-8146}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Sivropoulou|first1=Afroditi|last2=Kokkini|first2=Stella|last3=Lanaras|first3=Thomas|last4=Arsenakis|first4=Minas|date=1995-09-01|title=Antimicrobial activity of mint essential oils|journal=Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry|volume=43|issue=9|pages=2384–2388|doi=10.1021/jf00057a013|issn=0021-8561}}</ref>

==Beverages==
Spearmint leaves are infused in water to make [[spearmint tea]]. Spearmint is an ingredient of [[Maghrebi mint tea]]. Grown in the mountainous regions of Morocco, this variety of mint possesses a clear, pungent, but mild aroma.<ref name="Richardson2014">{{cite book|last=Richardson|first=Lisa Boalt|title=Modern Tea: A Fresh Look at an Ancient Beverage|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4QVpAwAAQBAJ&pg=PA104|year=2014|publisher=Chronicle Books|location=San Francisco|isbn=978-1-4521-3021-7|page=104|access-date=2016-10-13|archive-date=2017-10-11|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171011170954/https://books.google.com/books?id=4QVpAwAAQBAJ&pg=PA104|url-status=live}}</ref> Spearmint is an ingredient in several cocktails, such as the [[mojito]] and [[mint julep]]. [[Sweet tea]], iced and flavored with spearmint, is a summer tradition in the [[Southern United States]]. In Western Australia, green-coloured, spearmint-[[flavored milk]] is a local treat.<ref name="abc 2025-11-09">{{cite news |last1=Wynne |first1=Emma |title=Spearmint milk and Hawaiian packs included in celebration of WA's food history |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-11-09/celebration-of-wa-s-food-history/105985950 |access-date=9 November 2025 |work=ABC News |date=9 November 2025 |language=en-AU}}</ref>

==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:Mentha spicata, Serbia.jpg|''Mentha spicata''
Image:mentha spicata 02.jpg|Plant in flower
Image:Flowers of the spearmint.JPG|Flowers
Image:Spearmint flower.jpg|White flowering whorls of a spearmint plant
Image:Mentha spicata 01.jpg
</gallery>

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

== External links ==
* {{Commons-inline|Mentha spicata}}
* {{Wikispecies-inline|Mentha spicata}}

{{Herbs & spices}}
{{Taxonbar|from=Q160114}}
{{Mint}}

[[Category:Mentha|spicata]]
[[Category:Flora of Europe]]
[[Category:Flora of temperate Asia]]
[[Category:Essential oils]]
[[Category:Garden plants]]
[[Category:Herbs]]
[[Category:Plants described in 1753]]