Flora Palaestina Ethnobotany
florapal.org
Mentha spicata L.
Lamiaceae (Labiatae)
- Garden Mint
- Spearmint
- na’na’ sunbuli نعنع سنبلي
- na'na' (genus)
- נַענַע (genus)
Hemicryptophyte?
and other botanical details.
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Medicinal Complaints / Uses
Mentha spicata L.
| System/State | Traditional Complaint/Use |
Activity / Interpretation | Traditional Preparation/ Administration |
Parts Used | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cancer | Cancer |
Anti-carcinogenic | Decoct leaves + golden cotulla (? Matricaria aurea) + thyme (Thymbra sp.) & drink 1-2 cups/day until recovery. |
Leaf | B |
| Child Health | Nocturnal enuresis in children |
Anti-enuresis | Decoct plant & drink x1 small cup before bedtime. |
Aerial parts | Z |
| Gastrointestinal | Abdominal pain & flatulence |
Carminative | Decoct aerial parts & drink x1 cup/day as needed. |
Aerial parts | B |
| Gastrointestinal | Carminative (relieves flatulence etc.) |
Carminative | Decoct plant & drink x1 cup + sugar after every meal. |
Aerial parts | Z |
| Gastrointestinal | Diarrhea & abdominal pain |
Anti-Infective, Anti-diarrheal, Anti-spasmodic | Decoct plant in water & drink x4 cups/day. Also good for babies & children. (Amounts not specified.) |
Aerial parts | Z |
| Musculoskeletal/ Joints | Rheumatic pain |
Analgesic, Anti-arthritic, Anti-inflammatory | Decoct plant in water & use decoction to massage x1/day. |
Aerial parts | Z |
| Respiratory | Asthma |
Anti-asthmatic | Decoct plant in water & drink x1 cup during asthma attack. |
Aerial parts | Z |
| Respiratory | Cough/ cold/ runny nose |
Anti-Infective, Anti-catarrhal, Anti-tussive | Decoct plant in water & drink + sugar x3-4 cups/day. |
Aerial parts | Z |
Other Uses
Mentha spicata L.
| System/State | Complaint / Use | Activity / Interpretation | Traditional Preparation/Administration |
Parts Used | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Culinary | Bread flavouring |
Seasoning | Add powdered plant to bread dough & bake. |
Aerial parts | Z |
The authors of FLORAPALE, (Flora Palaestina Ethnobotanical) web site do not take responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of the plants described here. Always seek advice from a health professional before using a plant medicinally or for other purposes. See DISCLAIMER.
The authors of FLORAPALE, (Flora Palaestina Ethnobotanical) web site do not take responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of the plants described here. Always seek advice from a health professional before using a plant medicinally or for other purposes. See DISCLAIMER - https://florapal.org/disclaimer/
Notes
Cautions
Mentha spicata contains menthol which may cause urticaria, allergic lip & mouth inflammation, oesophagitis , diarrhea , gastric problems, pancreatitis & glottic spasm when used nasally. Mentha genus has some species which contain eucalyptol, pulegone, methofuran, carvacrol & coumarin in the essential oil, which when taken in large amounts can cause abortion. Species rich in essential oil may have a CNS depressant effect. Direct application can be irritant.