Spearmint's Active Components and Preparation

Figure 1b: Carvone

Figure 1a: Menthol

The two principle constituents of spearmint are carvone and menthol (figure 1), along with 29 other supporting compounds, the medicinal of which are still unknown (Kunnumakkara, 2009). Carvone has been shown to have antibacterial capabilities, as well as act as an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor to increase serum levels of acetylcholine (Rafii, 2007; Adsersen, 2006). Menthol has been shown to have anesthetic properties, with significant reduction of pain  through a decrease in peripheral nerve excitability (Galeotti, 2001). These active components are found in high concentrations in spearmint leaves which can be consumed fresh or dried or distilled into spearmint oil. Spearmint oil is extracted through steam
distillation of fresh spearmint flowers and leaves (Hanrahan, 2001).