Spearmint in history

Spearmint is believed to be the oldest of the mints. Spearmint (Mentha spicata) is native to the Mediterranean countries and has been value since ancient times. It has been used for centuries by Egyptian, Greek and Roman physicians.

Greece used it as an aphrodisiac, while Roman used its aroma as an appetite stimulant. Romance also wore mint wreaths on their hair during banquets and decorated their tables with twigs.

Pliny the Roman herbalist recommended using spearmint as a restorative to vitalize the body and aid digestion.

The Romans carried spearmint to what is now England. Everywhere this fragrant herb was introduced people began to cultivate it extensively.

Widely used in Athens, it was rubbed on the arms in particular, probably as a powerful deodorant.

In medieval times it was used for strewing on floors and later to overcome tobacco odors.

History records that’s spearmint was one of the plants brought from England to the Americas by the Pilgrim Fathers.

In the sixteenth century, it became spere mynte, to describe the sphere-shaped flowers that distinguish it from many other mints.
Spearmint in history

Spearmint herb

Spearmint oil comes from Mentha spicata. Spearmint is a perennial that reaches 2 feet and spreads by underground root runners.

It is hardy branched plant with bright green, lance shaped, sharply toothed leaves, and white flowers clustered in the form of spikes.

Spearmint is a good source of vitamins A and C and a minor source of B complex, calcium, sulphur, iron, iodine, magnesium, and potassium.

The chief constituent of its volatile oil is carvene, but the esters of acetic, butyric and caproic or caprylic acids are the constituents that are responsible for the distinctive scent and flavor of spearmint.

Spearmint oil is steam-distilled from the flowering tops of the plants. The pale yellow to olive colored oil sells warm and slightly herbaceous, with the characteristics powerful, penetrating mint odor.

Parts used include leaves and essential oil. Dried leaf is sold as while, as flakes, chopped and fine or coarse.

Spearmint has a fresh, minty, weedy, aroma. It is also very aromatic, sweet, green, minty, cooling, slightly pungent with lemony and sweetish notes.
Spearmint herb