Mentha spicata L.
Lamiaceae (Labiatae)
- Garden Mint
- Spearmint
- na’na’ sunbuli نعنع سنبلي
- נַענַע (genus)
- na'na' (genus)
Hemicryptophyte?
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distribution and other botanical details.
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.
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.