Description:
Spearmint ( Mentha spicata) is native to Europe and Southern temperate Asia. It has now been naturalized worldwide such as India, China, the USA, Northern, and Southern Africa, North and South America, and Canada.

Spearmint is a perennial herbaceous plant; it is 30 to 90 cm tall with hairy stems and foliage.

The essential oil is extracted from foliage (leaves and flowers) by the steam distillation process. The yield of the essential oil varies from 0.2 to 0.3%. The major constituent of the oil is Carvone.

The oil is used in pharmaceutical, anti-septic preparations, toothpaste & powder, Cosmetics, perfumery, and food industries.

Cultivation and Harvesting:
Spearmint is a perennial herbaceous plant; it is 30 to 90 cm tall with hairy stems and foliage. In India, it is cultivated in about 2 to 3 lakh hectares mostly in Uttar Pradesh(Barabanki). Barabanki is in the Terai region which is ideal for its cultivation.

Spearmint can grow in almost all types of soil, including soils that are sandy or loamy, as well as clay. Plenty of water is required to ensure the soil is moist at all times. Regular watering is needed in hot, dry weather. The pH of the soil should be between 6.0 and 7.5.

Spearmint can be propagated by stem cuttings (through rhizomes and stolens). Spearmint is a perennial plant, but in India, it is generally grown as an annual because it fits between two traditional crop seasons i.e. wheat and rice. The timing and climate between wheat and rice cultivation is suitable for the growing of spearmint

Spearmint is harvested when the plants are in the blooming stage in order to obtain the maximum yield of oil. The crop can be harvested at least once, sometimes twice per year depending upon the condition of the crop. Harvesting is done during the day time in order to reduce the moisture content from the plant.

Odor profile:
Minty, and fresh

Major Constituents:
Carvone, Dihydrocarvone, Limonene, 1,8-Cineole, 3-Octanol, Methone, Pulegone, piperitone, α-phellandrene, trans-caryophyllene, germacrene D.

Application:
~ The therapeutic properties of spearmint essential oil are antispasmodic, antiseptic, carminative, cephalic, emmenagogue, stimulant, and restorative.
~ The essential oil is used to flavor toothpaste, pharmaceutical, Cosmetics, candies, jellies, and food products.