# Spearmint essential oil

> Spearmint is a softer, sweeter cousin of peppermint — a gentle minty aroma suited to households with young children.

Canonical page: https://essential-oils.club/oils/single/spearmint

Type: Single oil

## At a glance

- **Botanical name:** Mentha spicata
- **Plant part:** Leaves
- **Extraction:** Steam-distilled
- **Aroma:** Sweet, rounded mint
- **Origin:** Europe, Middle East
- **Blends with:** Lemon, grapefruit, lavender

## Composition (GC-MS research aggregate)

Based on 55 GC-MS samples from 17 peer-reviewed papers (2022–2026); Strong evidence base. 92 compounds reported in total. Typical share of the oil (median, with interquartile range):

| Compound | Class | Median % | IQR % | Max % | Papers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| carvone | Oxygenated monoterpene | 54.84 | 38.47–68.67 | 81.88 | 12 |
| limonene | Monoterpene hydrocarbon | 8.29 | 4.4–12.03 | 39.8 | 14 |
| 1,8-cineole | Oxygenated monoterpene | 3.6 | 1.24–5.08 | 18.73 | 11 |
| pulegone | Oxygenated monoterpene | 2.73 | 1.1–3.3 | 23.02 | 9 |
| β-caryophyllene | Sesquiterpene hydrocarbon | 1.1 | 0.97–3.38 | 7.76 | 15 |
| β-pinene | Monoterpene hydrocarbon | 1.2 | 0.89–1.5 | 3.3 | 11 |
| α-pinene | Monoterpene hydrocarbon | 1 | 0.6–1.64 | 3.77 | 13 |
| β-bourbonene | Sesquiterpene hydrocarbon | 1.21 | 0.7–2.39 | 3.45 | 8 |
| myrcene | Monoterpene hydrocarbon | 0.8 | 0.46–1.45 | 8.76 | 12 |
| germacrene d | Sesquiterpene hydrocarbon | 0.86 | 0.6–2.6 | 6.08 | 10 |
| sabinene | Monoterpene hydrocarbon | 0.7 | 0.55–1.03 | 1.9 | 11 |
| terpinen-4-ol | Oxygenated monoterpene | 0.6 | 0.3–0.97 | 1.47 | 7 |

Chemotypes seen in the samples: carvone (60% of samples), menthone (20% of samples).

## Key constituents

- **Carvone** (50-70%) — The dominant compound, giving spearmint its sweet, minty flavor (distinct from peppermint's menthol)
- **Limonene** (15-25%) — Adds a light citrus-fresh note

## How to use it

- **In the diffuser:** 3–5 drops is a gentle, comforting option for busy or stressful moments.
- **On skin:** Milder than peppermint; dilute 1–2% in a carrier oil and keep away from eyes.

## Safety

- Dilute to 1–2% in a carrier oil, keep away from the eyes, and dilute before use on children.
- Maximum dermal use: Dilute in a carrier oil for skin.
- 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.

## What the research says

- 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 (https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.2010.9700269)

## Evidence

- 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 (https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.2010.9700269)

## 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.

### 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.

## Sources (GC-MS studies)

- Moradi-Sadr J, Ebadi MT, Ayyari M. 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_, 2023. https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC10722908
- Haghmadad Milani M, Mohammadi A, Panahirad S, Farhadi H, Labib P, Kulak M, Gohari G, Fotopoulos V, Vita F. 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)_, 2024. https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC11510870
- Tokpayev R, Ibraimov Z, Tamina K, Bukenov B, Zhaksybay B, Abdullanova A, Chshendrygina Y, Kishibayev K, Fiori L. Supercritical Fluid CO2 Extraction of Essential Oil from Spearmint Leaves Dried by Vacuum Drying with a Desiccant. _Foods (Basel, Switzerland)_, 2026. https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC12840100
- 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. 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_, 2025. https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC12712543
- Jamshidi-Kia F, Saeidi K, Lorigooini Z, Samani BH. Efficacy of foliar application of Chlorella vulgaris extract on chemical composition and biological activities of the essential oil of spearmint (Mentha spicata L.). _Heliyon_, 2024. https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC11629182
- Moradi-Sadr J, Ebadi MT, Ayyari M, Ghomi H. Optimization of ultrasonic Bath and cold plasma pre-treatments in the spearmint essential oil isolation process. _Food science & nutrition_, 2023. https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC10084965
- Szögi-Tatár B, Dobi A, Böszörményi A, Enkhbileg E, Gampe N, Boldizsár I, Skribanek A, Solymosi K. Natural Etiolation in Spearmint (Mentha spicata L. var. crispa) Shoots Emerging From Rhizomes-Plastids, Glandular Hairs, and Phytochemical Profile. _Physiologia plantarum_, 2026. https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC13577824
- Abbas MG, Binyameen M, Azeem M, Majeed S, Sarwar ZM, Nazir A, Sharif MMI, Parveen A, Mozūratis R. 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_, 2025. https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC12120851
- Crestani G, Večeřová K, Cunningham N, Badmus UO, Urban O, Jansen MAK. Comprehensive Modulation of Secondary Metabolites in Terpenoid-Accumulating Mentha spicata L. via UV Radiation. _Plants (Basel, Switzerland)_, 2024. https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC11243551
- Sierra K, Naranjo L, Carrillo-Hormaza L, Franco G, Osorio E. Spearmint (Mentha spicata L.) Phytochemical Profile: Impact of Pre/Post-Harvest Processing and Extractive Recovery. _Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)_, 2022. https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC9000270
- Meghazi N, Benzehra AM, Boumechhour A, Bousbia A, Caparros RM, Francis F, Boukraa S. 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_, 2026. https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC13512987
- Adaszyńska-Skwirzyńska M, Zych S, Dzięcioł M, Konieczka P, Kowalik B, Witkowska D, Bucław M. 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_, 2025. https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC12691715
- İsfendiyaroğlu H, Hanoğlu A, Yiğit Hanoğlu D, Alkaş FB, Başer KHC, Özkum Yavuz D. 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)_, 2024. https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC11085233
- Mondal PC, Salim R, Kumar V, Kaushik P, Shakil NA, Pankaj, Rana VS. Aphidicidal activity of nano-emulsions of spearmint oil and carvone against Rhopalosiphum maidis and Sitobion avenae. _Scientific reports_, 2024. https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC11484702
- Landeo-Villanueva GE, Salazar-Salvatierra ME, Ruiz-Quiroz JR, Zuta-Arriola N, Jarama-Soto B, Herrera-Calderon O, Pari-Olarte JB, Loyola-Gonzales E. Inhibitory Activity of Essential Oils of Mentha spicata and Eucalyptus globulus on Biofilms of Streptococcus mutans in an In Vitro Model. _Antibiotics (Basel, Switzerland)_, 2023. https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC9952483
- Cosan G, Ozverel CS, Yigit Hanoglu D, Baser KHC, Tunca YM. Evaluation of Antibacterial and Antifungal Effects of Calcium Hydroxide Mixed with Two Different Essential Oils. _Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)_, 2022. https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC9100329
- Rasti F, Yousefpoor Y, Abdollahi A, Safari M, Roozitalab G, Osanloo M. 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_, 2022. https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC9540714

_Educational reference only — not medical advice. Essential oils are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease._