Spearmint (Mentha spicata)
Spearmint is a softer, sweeter cousin of peppermint — a gentle minty aroma suited to households with young children.
How to use it
3–5 drops is a gentle, comforting option for busy or stressful moments.
Milder than peppermint; dilute 1–2% in a carrier oil and keep away from eyes.
Safety in detail
- Max dermal use
- Dilute in a carrier oil for skin
- Phototoxic
- No
- Gentler than peppermint (low menthol), making it a common choice when peppermint feels too strong or for use around children — still dilute for skin.
- Not phototoxic. Keep out of reach of children.
Sources: Chauhan et al. (2010), Journal of Essential Oil Research
Composition & chemistry
Aggregated from 55 GC-MS samples across 17 peer-reviewed open-access studies (2022–2026). Figures are the distribution across those samples — median with interquartile range — not a single reading.
- Oxygenated monoterpene 76.8%
- Monoterpene hydrocarbon 13.5%
- Sesquiterpene hydrocarbon 5.3%
- Unclassified 4.2%
- Oxygenated sesquiterpene 0.1%
| Constituent | Median | Typical range | Max | Detected in |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| carvone ↗ C10H14O | 54.8% | 38.5–68.7% | 81.9% | |
Loading evidence… | ||||
| limonene ↗ C10H16 | 8.3% | 4.4–12.0% | 39.8% | |
Loading evidence… | ||||
| 1,8-cineole ↗ C10H18O | 3.6% | 1.2–5.1% | 18.7% | |
Loading evidence… | ||||
| pulegone ↗ C10H16O | 2.7% | 1.1–3.3% | 23.0% | |
Loading evidence… | ||||
| β-bourbonene ↗ C15H24 | 1.2% | 0.7–2.4% | 3.5% | |
Loading evidence… | ||||
| β-pinene ↗ C10H16 | 1.2% | 0.9–1.5% | 3.3% | |
Loading evidence… | ||||
| β-caryophyllene ↗ C15H24 | 1.1% | 1.0–3.4% | 7.8% | |
Loading evidence… | ||||
| α-pinene ↗ C10H16 | 1.0% | 0.6–1.6% | 3.8% | |
Loading evidence… | ||||
| germacrene d ↗ C15H24 | 0.9% | 0.6–2.6% | 6.1% | |
Loading evidence… | ||||
| myrcene ↗ C10H16 | 0.8% | 0.5–1.4% | 8.8% | |
Loading evidence… | ||||
| sabinene ↗ C10H16 | 0.7% | 0.6–1.0% | 1.9% | |
Loading evidence… | ||||
| terpinen-4-ol ↗ C10H18O | 0.6% | 0.3–1.0% | 1.5% | |
Loading evidence… | ||||
+ 80 more compounds reported across the dataset.
17 peer-reviewed sources behind these figures
- Moradi-Sadr J, Ebadi MT, Ayyari M. (2023). Steps to achieve carvone-rich spearmint (Mentha spicata L.) essential oil: a case study on the use of different distillation methods. Frontiers in plant science.
- Haghmadad Milani M, Mohammadi A, Panahirad S, Farhadi H, Labib P, Kulak M, Gohari G, Fotopoulos V, Vita F. (2024). Cerium Oxide Nanoparticles (CeO2 NPs) Enhance Salt Tolerance in Spearmint (Mentha spicata L.) by Boosting the Antioxidant System and Increasing Essential Oil Composition. Plants (Basel, Switzerland).
- Tokpayev R, Ibraimov Z, Tamina K, Bukenov B, Zhaksybay B, Abdullanova A, Chshendrygina Y, Kishibayev K, Fiori L. (2026). Supercritical Fluid CO2 Extraction of Essential Oil from Spearmint Leaves Dried by Vacuum Drying with a Desiccant. Foods (Basel, Switzerland).
- EFSA Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP), Villa RE, Azimonti G, Bonos E, Christensen H, Durjava M, Dusemund B, Gehring R, Glandorf B, Kouba M, López-Alonso M, Marcon F, Nebbia C, Pechová A, Prieto-Maradona M, Röhe I, Theodoridou K, Bastos ML, Benfenati E, Brantom P, Chesson A, Schlatter J, Westendorf J, Manini P. (2025). Safety and efficacy of a feed additive consisting of an essential oil derived from the aerial parts of <i>Mentha spicata</i> L. (spearmint oil) for use in all animal species (FEFANA asbl). EFSA journal. European Food Safety Authority.
- Jamshidi-Kia F, Saeidi K, Lorigooini Z, Samani BH. (2024). Efficacy of foliar application of Chlorella vulgaris extract on chemical composition and biological activities of the essential oil of spearmint (Mentha spicata L.). Heliyon.
- Moradi-Sadr J, Ebadi MT, Ayyari M, Ghomi H. (2023). Optimization of ultrasonic Bath and cold plasma pre-treatments in the spearmint essential oil isolation process. Food science & nutrition.
- Szögi-Tatár B, Dobi A, Böszörményi A, Enkhbileg E, Gampe N, Boldizsár I, Skribanek A, Solymosi K. (2026). Natural Etiolation in Spearmint (Mentha spicata L. var. crispa) Shoots Emerging From Rhizomes-Plastids, Glandular Hairs, and Phytochemical Profile. Physiologia plantarum.
- Abbas MG, Binyameen M, Azeem M, Majeed S, Sarwar ZM, Nazir A, Sharif MMI, Parveen A, Mozūratis R. (2025). Chemical analysis, repellent, larvicidal, and oviposition deterrent activities of plant essential oils against <i>Aedes aegypti</i>, <i>Anopheles gambiae</i>, and <i>Culex quinquefasciatus</i>. Frontiers in insect science.
- Crestani G, Večeřová K, Cunningham N, Badmus UO, Urban O, Jansen MAK. (2024). Comprehensive Modulation of Secondary Metabolites in Terpenoid-Accumulating Mentha spicata L. via UV Radiation. Plants (Basel, Switzerland).
- Sierra K, Naranjo L, Carrillo-Hormaza L, Franco G, Osorio E. (2022). Spearmint (Mentha spicata L.) Phytochemical Profile: Impact of Pre/Post-Harvest Processing and Extractive Recovery. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland).
- Meghazi N, Benzehra AM, Boumechhour A, Bousbia A, Caparros RM, Francis F, Boukraa S. (2026). Repellency of Selected Algerian-Origin Essential Oils and Hybrid Formulations Against Two Arbovirus Vectors, <i>Culex pipiens</i> s.l. and <i>Aedes albopictus</i>. Insects.
- Adaszyńska-Skwirzyńska M, Zych S, Dzięcioł M, Konieczka P, Kowalik B, Witkowska D, Bucław M. (2025). Potential of Essential Oils from Different Mint Species Against Multidrug-Resistant <i>Escherichia coli</i> Strains Isolated from Clinical Cases in Poultry. International journal of molecular sciences.
- İsfendiyaroğlu H, Hanoğlu A, Yiğit Hanoğlu D, Alkaş FB, Başer KHC, Özkum Yavuz D. (2024). Chemical Characterization of the Essential Oil Compositions of Mentha spicata and M. longifolia ssp. cyprica from the Mediterranean Basin and Multivariate Statistical Analyses. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland).
- Mondal PC, Salim R, Kumar V, Kaushik P, Shakil NA, Pankaj, Rana VS. (2024). Aphidicidal activity of nano-emulsions of spearmint oil and carvone against Rhopalosiphum maidis and Sitobion avenae. Scientific reports.
- Landeo-Villanueva GE, Salazar-Salvatierra ME, Ruiz-Quiroz JR, Zuta-Arriola N, Jarama-Soto B, Herrera-Calderon O, Pari-Olarte JB, Loyola-Gonzales E. (2023). Inhibitory Activity of Essential Oils of Mentha spicata and Eucalyptus globulus on Biofilms of Streptococcus mutans in an In Vitro Model. Antibiotics (Basel, Switzerland).
- Cosan G, Ozverel CS, Yigit Hanoglu D, Baser KHC, Tunca YM. (2022). Evaluation of Antibacterial and Antifungal Effects of Calcium Hydroxide Mixed with Two Different Essential Oils. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland).
- Rasti F, Yousefpoor Y, Abdollahi A, Safari M, Roozitalab G, Osanloo M. (2022). Antioxidative, anticancer, and antibacterial activities of a nanogel containing Mentha spicata L. essential oil and electrospun nanofibers of polycaprolactone-hydroxypropyl methylcellulose. BMC complementary medicine and therapies.
Every figure above traces to a named table in one of these open-access papers. How this was built →
- Carvone — the dominant, sweet-minty ketone that defines spearmint's aroma; also studied for antimicrobial activity in vitro Chauhan et al. (2010), Journal of Essential Oil Research
Lower in menthol and higher in carvone, spearmint is the softer, sweeter cousin of peppermint.
What the research says
An honest read of the published research — what has actually been studied, at what stage. Not medical advice or a promise of results.
-
Spearmint oil has been studied for antioxidant and antimicrobial activity in the laboratory, in line with its carvone and limonene content. These are in-vitro findings, not health claims.
Chauhan et al. (2010), Journal of Essential Oil Research
Evidence & sources
Peer-reviewed research on Spearmint's chemistry and safety. These describe composition and documented effects — not health or treatment claims.
-
Spearmint is defined by carvone rather than menthol, which is why it smells sweet and minty but lacks peppermint's cooling bite.
Chauhan et al. (2010), Journal of Essential Oil Research
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between spearmint and peppermint?
Peppermint is menthol-rich and intensely cooling; spearmint is carvone-rich, sweeter, and much lower in menthol. Spearmint is the gentler choice, often preferred when peppermint feels too strong. Chauhan et al. (2010), Journal of Essential Oil Research
Is spearmint gentle enough for kids?
Because it's low in menthol, spearmint is generally considered gentler than peppermint around children. Still dilute it well and diffuse in a ventilated room; check with a professional for young children.
Is spearmint phototoxic?
No — spearmint isn't phototoxic, so there's no sun-exposure restriction. Dilute it for topical use as usual.
Gallery
The Plant
Spearmint (Mentha spicata) is one of the oldest cultivated mints, referenced in ancient Greek and Roman writing long before peppermint — itself a natural hybrid of spearmint and water mint — came into common use. It remains a garden and kitchen staple across Europe and the Middle East, valued for a gentler, sweeter profile than its more intense cousin.
Extraction & Aroma
The oil is steam-distilled from the leaves and is chemically distinct from peppermint — it’s much lower in menthol and higher in carvone, which gives it a sweeter, rounder mint aroma without peppermint’s sharp cooling intensity. It smells closer to fresh mint leaves crushed between fingers than to a medicinal or toothpaste-like scent.
Traditional & Everyday Uses
Mint has a long folk history as a soothing, comforting scent across many cultures, often brewed as tea or used in simple household remedies well before essential oil distillation existed. Today, 3–5 drops in a diffuser is a comforting, gentle option for busy or stressful moments, and it’s often the preferred mint oil in households with young children, given its milder intensity compared to peppermint.
What Pairs Well
Spearmint blends naturally with citrus oils like lemon or grapefruit for a bright, refreshing combination, and with lavender for a gentler calming blend than peppermint would allow.
Safety Note
Dilute to 1–2% in a carrier oil for topical use. Spearmint is generally milder than peppermint on skin, but it should still be kept away from the eyes and diluted before use on children.
Sourcing Note
Spearmint and peppermint are easy to confuse on a label, so it’s worth confirming the species when buying from any source, especially if you’re choosing spearmint specifically for its gentler profile.
Found in these blends
Spearmint is one of the oils inside 3 Young Living blends.