*Spearmint is the name of the plant, Mentha spicata, of the mint family.

*The shiny, round and serrated grayish green leaves and the tender stems of this plant with are used a seasoning herb.

*It has a mild, sweet fragrance and aroma, a little milder than peppermint.

*Spearmint is grown for its aromatic and carminative oil, R-Carvone.

*The fresh leaves are used to flavor mint jelly, sauces, salads, soups, stews, curries, rice, meat, fish and vegetables dishes.

*Also used to flavor toothpastes, confectionary, teas, chewing gum, ice cream, mouthwashes, cough syrups, etc.

*Other varieties in the genus Mentha include – peppermint, apple mint, orange mint, water mint, curly mint, etc.

*Buying and storage: Select fresh, bright green colored bunch of leaves without any discoloration, wilting, slime or holes on the leaves. Pat them dry, wrap them in damp paper towels, place in plastic bag and store in the refrigerator. They can also be frozen after quickly blanching them in boiling water.

Is it raw?

Yes, all fresh leaves in the supermarket are raw and can be eaten raw in salads. Also available frozen form.

Health Benefits

1. The essential oil menthol present in spearmint relaxes the smooth muscle, thus relieving symptoms of stomach aches, muscle spasms, IBS, etc.

2. The phytonutrient, Perillyl alcohol, a monoterpene, present in the mint leaves is shown to inhibit the proliferation of cells in lung, pancreatic, liver and skin cancers.

3. The essential oil, menthol, also has an anti-bacterial property.

4. The rosmarinic acid present in the mint leaves relieves the symptoms of congestion and blocked airways, aids easy breathing and keeps the airways open, thus helping in conditions like asthma, allergic rhinitis, etc.

5. Mint leaves are also used to treat indigestion, headache, nausea, and fever.

6. Very good source of beta-carotene, a precursor of Vitamin A. It enhances the eye sight, fights against acne, results in smooth radiant skin.

7. Good of Vitamin C, a natural water soluble antioxidant. It enhances the body's immune system, maintains the elasticity of skin and blood vessels, increases the absorption of iron from the intestines and prevents bruising of the skin.

8. Vitamin C and beta-carotenes act as antioxidants, scavenge the free radicals, preserve the integrity of cell membranes, and prevent the damage caused by them by reducing the risk of heart diseases, cancer and other degenerative diseases.

9. Good source of folic acid, which is promotes a healthy heart. It prevents the accumulation of homocysteine, an intermediary metabolite of protein metabolism, which promotes atherosclerosis by reducing the integrity of blood vessel walls and by interfering with the formation of collagen.

10. Moderate but significant source of other B-group vitamins like thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, and B6 that are essential to enhance the energy production from the foods.

11. Good source of minerals like calcium, iron, potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, zinc and manganese which play a very important role in maintaining proper metabolic activities of the body.

12. Good source of iron, and so prevents anemia.