Spearmint oil is a clear essential oil with a minty green aroma derived from the spearmint plant (Mentha spicata). We use this ingredient to add flavour or fragrance to some of our products.

Mentha spicata (also known as Spearmint, Garden Mint or Mentha viridis), is a herb native to Europe and Asia, but grown in gardens around the world. These perennial plants grow to around 100cm tall, with square stems and serrated-edged leaves. The highly aromatic leaves can be steam distilled to produce spearmint oil, which has many uses and is reported to have antimicrobial and antioxidant activity. Spearmint oil contains low levels of menthol and menthone in comparison to peppermint oil, making it a milder option with a similar flavour, and a popular choice for many mint flavourings and fragrances.

Botanical name: Mentha spicata

Other names: Spearmint Leaf Oil, Mentha Viridis Leaf Oil

Chemical class: Essential Oils and Waters

Main constituents: Carvone, Limonene, Eucalyptol, beta-Pinene, cis-Dihydrocarvone, Dihydrocarveol

REFERENCES

Snoussi, M., Noumi, E., Trabelsi, N., Flamini, G., Papetti, A., & De Feo, V. (2015). Mentha spicata Essential Oil: Chemical Composition, Antioxidant and Antibacterial Activities against Planktonic and Biofilm Cultures of Vibrio spp. Strains. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland), 20(8), 14402–14424. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules200814402

Temperate Plants Database, Ken Fern. temperate.theferns.info. 2021-09-22. temperate.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Mentha+spicata