Spearmint Essential Oil (Mentha spicata)

Method of Extraction: Steam Distillation.

Plant Part Used: Leaves and Flowers/Buds.

Color: Clear.

Consistency: Thin.

Perfumery Note: Top/Middle.

Strength of Initial Aroma: Medium.

Aromatic Description: Minty, fresh and perhaps slightly fruity in aroma. It is somewhat less intense than peppermint.

• Asthma.
• Exhaustion.
• Fever.
• Flatulence.
• Headache.
• Nausea.
• Scabies.
• Vertigo.

Source: Julia Lawless, The Encyclopedia of Essential Oils (Updated Edition) (London: Harper Thorsons, 2014), 140-141.

Adults: Usually, a 2-3% dilution is suitable, about 12-18 drops of essential oil per ounce of carrier oil.

Children (5-10), Frail Elderly, Sensitive Skin: A lower dilution of 1% or less (6 drops per ounce).

Facial or Sensitive Areas: Use a 0.5-1% dilution (3-6 drops per ounce).

Acute or Short-Term Use: For resolving a specific issue, a marginally higher dilution can be used for a period of 2-3 weeks as necessary.

(-)-Carvone. (+)-Limonene. (Z)-Dihydrocarvone. 3-Octanol. Methone. 1,8-Cineole.

Source: B.M. Lawrence, Essential Oils 1988-1991 (Wheaton: Allured Publishing, 1995), 20. Source cited in Robert Tisserand and Rodney Young, Essential Oil Safety (Second Edition. United Kingdom: Churchill Livingstone Elsevier, 2014), 427.

Tisserand and Young report that Spearmint Essential Oil is a potential mucous membrane irritant. They also caution that there is a low risk of skin sensitization and recommend a dermal maximum of 1.7%.

Reading Tisserand and Young's full profile is recommended. [Robert Tisserand and Rodney Young, Essential Oil Safety (Second Edition. United Kingdom: Churchill Livingstone Elsevier, 2014), 427-248.]