Deep Dive into Spearmint Hydrolat Composition and Therapeutic Actions
Spearmint is an excellent candidate to be the first botanical to be distilled when you are just starting your distillation journey. You’ll be impressed by the “angels’ mist” that fills the air just before the first hydrolat drops come through. The aroma of hydrolat (HY) fades gradually and you have plenty of time to figure out when to stop your distillation. Chances are you will truly enjoy the hydrolat simply for its aroma, even without knowing all the possible benefits and therapeutic actions.
Most people – male and female alike – appreciate the aroma of spearmint hydrolat, making it a good candidate to be a gift.
NOTE: This is an expert from my Spearmint Hydrolat Monograph.
The Plant
Common name/s: Spearmint
Latin name: Mentha Spicata
Family: Lamiaceae
Country of origin: Native to Europe and Asia. Grown in North and South America, some parts of Africa.
Conservation status: Least concern (2)
Botanical Description Spearmint is a perennial herbaceous plant. It is 30 – 100 cm (12–39 in) tall, with variably hairless to hairy stems and foliage, and a wide-spreading fleshy underground rhizome. The stem is square-shaped – a defining characteristic of the mint family. Spearmint produces flowers in slender spikes, each flower pink or white in colour in July to September in the northern hemisphere. (1)
In folk medicine, spearmint (tea, dried or fresh herb) is used for indigestion and stomachache due to its antispasmodic action, as an antiseptic, for respiratory support, and as a calming tea. It is also widely used as a culinary herb to flavour foods and beverages.
Part of the plant distilled: aerial: leaves, stems and flowers.
Spearmint Hydrolat in Aromatherapy Literature
While spearmint essential oil is frequently described in aromatherapy books, data on its hydrolat is minimal. This is really surprising considering its pleasant aroma and commercial availability.
But L. Price and Sh. Price do not disappoint. In their book “Understanding Hydrolats” they attribute spearmint hydrolat (Mentha spicata) with analgesic, anti-inflammatory, digestive, carminative, and soothing properties, also suggesting its tonic effects on the skin. (5).
Thankfully, the search in the online databases provided more information about this wonderfully aromatic water.
Scientific Research
Fatemeh Ghavidel et al. (2018) found that Mentha spicata hydrosol obtained by hydro-distillation in their laboratory demonstrated (8):
- antimicrobial activity, but 30-60 times weaker than its essential oil.
- mild antibacterial properties, particularly against Gram-positive bacteria (S. aureus, B. subtilis).
- weak activity against Gram-negative bacteria (E. coli, P. aeruginosa) and
- weak antifungal action against Candida albicans.
GC/MS Reports – What Do They Tell Us?
Can we gain insights into possible therapeutic actions by researching the spearmint hydrolat’s GC/MS reports? It turns out, there is a good amount of them online.
Of course, let’s keep in mind that any plant preparation is MORE than a combination of chemical constituents.
The company “Kvapų namai“ has published three GC/MS reports of commercially available Mentha spicata hydrolat distilled from plants grown in Lithuania, Northern Europe (7). All three samples are dominated by carvone and its derivatives at 61-83%. This suggests a pleasant and characteristic aroma of spearmint, profound antispasmodic, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, calming, and anxiolytic actions with the primary benefits to the nervous system and the skin.
The total concentration of aromatic compounds in these Lithuanian hydrolats ranged from 0,03 to 0,08 g/100 ml, with pH values between 4,17 and 6,78.
A study from Iran (9), West Asia by Arsanjani et al. (2020) also analysed laboratory-distilled Mentha spicata hydrolat. GC/MS data showed its major constituent was (R)-(-)-carvone (52.2%), together with neo-dihydrocarveol (12.95%), indicating strong antispasmodic, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, calming, and anxiolytic potential. Additional compounds such as pulegone (17.5%), menthol (3.38%), eucalyptol (1,8-cineole) (2.67%), and piperitenone (2.25%) may contribute cooling qualities and support respiratory function.
The already mentioned 2018 study (8) found Mentha spicata (grown in Iran, West Asia) hydrolat had a little bit different composition. Piperitenone (38.27%) was its major volatile constituent, followed by pulegone (14.75%); and borneol (2,61%) of total volatile content in hydrolat. This indicates „sharper“ aroma, affinity to the respiratory system, and anti-inflammatory action. Carvone at 22.07% gives a characteristic spearmint aroma and benefits to the nervous system.
Nadia Zekri et al (2014) (6) researched the difference in composition of essential oils and hydrolats obtained from three varieties of mints grown in Morocco (North Africa). Mentha spicata hydrolat had 1,8-cineol (22,85%) as the major component, followed by camphor (13,53%), while both of them were absent from the essential oil. Carvone was at only 0,24% in HY, while it was the major component in EO. The composition revealed that the chemical profile of EO and HY was quite different. But only 58% of HY compounds were identified, while 42% remained unknown.
In any way, hydrolat from Morocco stands out among all the discussed hydrolats due to the absence of carvone and its derivatives. Those are the compounds responsible for the characteristic spearmint aroma. Instead, it is dominated by 1,8-cineole, camphor, and α-pinene. That suggests its benefits to the respiratory system.
Unfortunately, none of these research studies specify the total amount (g/ml or mg/l) of volatile compounds in hydrolat.
Comparative Composition of Spearmint Hydrolates and Their Therapeutic Actions by Country
(Only the top-5 compounds of each hydrolat are included in this table)
| Compound | Chemical Group | Lithuania (7) | Morocco 2014 (6) | Iran
2018 (8) |
Iran
2020 (9) |
Main Therapeutic Actions | ||
| 2021 | 2024 | 2025 | ||||||
| Carvone | Monoterpene ketone | 1.02% | 78.93% | 22.07% | 52.2% | Antispasmodic, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, calming, anxiolytic (11) | ||
| Dihydrocarvone (cis/trans) | Monoterpene ketone | 82.62% | 1.37% | 61.44% | Derivative of carvone | |||
| Piperitone | Monoterpene ketone | 3.21% | 4.14% | 2.03% | 38.27% | Relieves bronchospasm and inflammation (14) | ||
| Eucalyptol (1,8-Cineole) | Monoterpene oxide | 5.51% | 0.54% | 22.85% | 9,69% | 2.67% | Respiratory support, anti-inflammatory, cooling, antibacterial (11) | |
| Linalool | Monoterpene alcohol | 0.53% | 2.45% | Sedative, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antispasmodic, anxiolytic (11) | ||||
| Pulegone | Monoterpene ketone | 14.75% | 17.5% | Antibacterial, antifungal (candida), anti-inflammatory (11) | ||||
| Borneol | Monoterpene alcohol | 3.14% | 2.61% | Antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, antispasmodic, sedative, wound healing (11) | ||||
| Camphor | Monoterpene ketone | 13.53% | Antibacterial, antifungal (dermatophytes), CNS stimulant, cough suppressant (11) | |||||
| Neo-Dihydrocarveol | Monoterpene alcohol | 12.95% | Derivative of carvone | |||||
| Menthol | Monoterpene alcohol | 3.38% | Cooling, analgesic, antispasmodic, antipruritic, antitussive (11) | |||||
| Caryophyllene oxide | Sesquiterpene oxide | 5.29% | Analgesic, anticancer (12) | |||||
| Cadinol (α-) | Sesquiterpene alcohol | 0.53% | 4.03% | anticancer, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory (13) | ||||
| Carvacrol | Phenolic monoterpenoid | 3.56% | Airborne antimicrobial, antioxidant, anxiolytic, neuroprotective (11) | |||||
| α-Pinene | Monoterpene hydrocarbon | 5.88% | Analgesic, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, antiviral, anxiolytic (11) | |||||
Typical main constituents of EO: carvone 58-72%, limonene 14-18 %, 1.8-cineole 1,4-1,6% (15,16).
Typical main constituents of HY: carvone and its derivatives 22-84%, 1.8-cineole 0,5-10%, and no limonene or only trace amounts (eg, at 0,24%) (7,8,9).
Desired components: carvone and its derivatives, which are responsible for the characteristic aroma.
Suggested Practical Uses
- Spray as a facial toner or aftershave for a soothing, cooling effect.
- Combine with ghasul clay for a gentle facial cleanser.
- Combine with white, green or other clays for a facial mask, as a wound or injury healing poultice.
- Hair rinse – for shiny and pleasantly smelling hair.
- Pour 1-2 tsp. to drinking water, tea or a mocktail for digestive support, calming, balancing the emotions or simply to enhance the flavour.
- Use in a diffuser for calming, balancing the emotions, and mental clarity.
- Try it as an aerial spray to reset the mood, promote positivity.
Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this publication. The use of any information provided in this document is solely at your own risk. The authors and publishers of this document are not responsible for any adverse effects or consequences resulting from the use of any suggestions, preparations, or procedures described hereafter.
References:
-
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spearmint
- https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/164464/42395980
- https://www.richters.com/questions-and-answers/04-20080328-1
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38007725/
- Price, Sh.Price. Understanding Hydrolats: the Specific Hydrosols for Aromatherapy. A Guide for Health Professionals. 2004.
- https://www.researchgate.net/publication/332555161_Phytochemical_screening_and_chemical_composition_of_essential_oils_and_hydrosols_of_Mentha_species_from_Morocco
- https://aromata.lt/en/shop/1366/spearmint-hydrolat
- Trends in Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2018, Vol. 4(3), pp. 161–176. Retrieves: https://tips.sums.ac.ir/article_42263_24bc07e1b7e605e86f6754d2395f154c.pdf
- https://journals.lww.com/jrps/fulltext/2020/09010/comparative_chemical_evaluation_of_commercially.8.aspx
- https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Reyyan-Yergin-Oezkan/publication/350804562_Effect_of_Essential_Oils_and_Hydrosols_from_Some_Selected_Lamiaceae_Species_on_Redroot_Pigweed_Amaranthus_retroflexus_L/links/60917e47458515d315f7430e/Effect-of-Essential-Oils-and-Hydrosols-from-Some-Selected-Lamiaceae-Species-on-Redroot-Pigweed-Amaranthus-retroflexus-L.pdf
- Jennifer Peace Rhind (2020). Essential Oils (Fully Revised and Updated 3rd Edition): A Comprehensive Handbook for Aromatic Therapy.
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/pharmacology-toxicology-and-pharmaceutical-science/caryophyllene-oxide
- https://www.benchchem.com/pdf/Unraveling_the_Bioactivity_of_Alpha_Cadinolpdf
- https://foodb.ca/compounds/FDB013573#biological_effects_and_interations
- Battaglia (2018). The Complete Guide to Aromatherapy. vol. I. Foundations & Materia Medica, 3rd edition, Black Pepper Creative. Australia.
- Holmes (2019). Aromatica. A Clinical Guide to Essential Oil Therapeutics, vol. I., p.485-493. London, UK: Singing Dragon.
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