helpful for pharmacognosy students

1. Spearmint
(Crude Drug)
Muhammad Umar Mubarak
Pharm-D batch IV

2. • Spearmint, (Mentha spicata), aromatic herb of the mint family (Lamiaceae), used
for culinary purposes.
• Spearmint is native to Europe and Asia and has been naturalized in North America and parts of
Africa. Spearmint is a perennial plant that aggressively spreads by creeping stolons.
• Spearmint is a perennial herb that grows to about 30 to 100 cm in height and has a wide-
spreading fleshy underground rhizome. The leaves are bright green, veined, about 5 to 9 cm
long and 1.5 to 3 cm broad.
• Spearmint grows well in nearly all temperate climates. Spearmint leaves, dried or fresh, are
used to flavor teas, provide seasoning for various dishes.
Introduction

3. Scientific Name: Mentha spicata
English Name: Garden Mint and Spearmint
Common Name: Podina
Family Name: Lamiaceae aka Sage Family
Part Used: Leaves

4. Chemical Constituents:
The composition of the essential oil of M. spicata is,
 Carvone
 Limonene
 Menthone
 Β-Pinene
 Monoterpenes

5. Uses:
 The leaves and oil are used to make medicine.
 Spearmint is used for treating digestive disorders including gas, indigestion,
nausea, diarrhea, upper gastrointestinal tract spasms, irritable bowel syndrome
(IBS), bile duct and gallbladder swelling (inflammation), and gallstones.
 It also improves memory.
 It helps in treating hyperglycemia.
 It also treats hypertension.

6. Dose:
 Spearmint extract has most often been used by adults at a dose of 900 mg
(1/3 tablespoon) by mouth a day.
Toxicology/contraindication
 Unsafe during Pregnancy: Excessive use of spearmint tea might cause damage to the
uterus. Avoid using in large amounts of spearmint during pregnancy.
 Renal Damage: Spearmint tea might increase kidney damage.
 Liver Damage: Spearmint tea might increase liver damage. Using large amounts of
spearmint tea might make liver disease worse.

7. Side effects:
• Sedation
• Slow breathing
• Decrease testosterone levels

8. Thank You