# Pudina

> Pudina (Mentha spicata) is a plant used in Ayurveda, from the Lamiaceae family. Listed in the British Pharmacopoeia with specifications for essential oil composition (carvone >=55%, pulegone <0.5%).

## Key facts

- **Botanical name:** Mentha spicata
- **Family:** Lamiaceae
- **Pharmacopoeia status:** Listed in the British Pharmacopoeia with specifications for essential oil composition (carvone >=55%, pulegone <0.5%). GRAS status recognized by US-FDA. Referenced in Ayurvedic texts including Mughal-era Ayurvedic manuals (Rasaratna Samucchaya). Not listed as standalone WHO monograph; additional clinical trial evidence needed.

## Names and identification

| Language | Name |
|----------|------|
| English | Pudina |
| Latin/Botanical | *Mentha spicata* |

## Key Phytochemical Constituents

- Carvone (50-70% of essential oil)
- Rosmarinic acid (88% of total phenolics in leaf extracts)
- [Limonene](/glossary/compounds-g-l/#limonene)
- 1,8-[Cineole](/glossary/compounds-c-d/#cineole)
- [Naringenin](/glossary/compounds-l-o/#naringenin) and [Naringin](/glossary/compounds-l-o/#naringin) ([flavonoids](/reference/flavonoids/))
- [Quercetin](/reference/quercetinquercetin/)
- [Menthol](/herb/menthol/) (trace amounts, <2%)
- Pulegone (<0.5%)

## How does it work?

- Carvone inhibits pancreatic lipase activity, reducing dietary fat absorption relevant to obesity management
- Rosmarinic acid provides potent [antioxidant](/reference/antioxidant/) activity through free radical scavenging and metal chelation, with additional immunosuppressant and anti-inflammatory effects
- [Anxiolytic](/reference/anxiolytic/) and sedative effects mediated through GABAergic system modulation, enhancing GABA receptor activity
- [Antimicrobial](/reference/antimicrobial/) activity through disruption of bacterial cell membrane integrity and inhibition of biofilm formation (particularly against MRSA)
- Anti-inflammatory mechanism via inhibition of lipoxygenase and cyclooxygenase [enzymes](/glossary/compounds-d-g/#enzymes), reducing prostaglandin and leukotriene synthesis

## Which traditional uses are supported by research?

- Digestive aid for bloating, indigestion, and IBS - validated by double-blind clinical trial showing reduced bloating and discomfort with spearmint extract
- Cooling and fever-reducing properties - supported by pharmacological studies confirming [antipyretic](/reference/antipyretic/) activity
- Respiratory relief for cough, cold, and asthma - confirmed through bronchodilatory and [expectorant](/reference/expectorant/) studies
- Antimicrobial use for oral and skin infections - validated by studies showing activity against drug-resistant bacteria including MRSA
- Anxiolytic and calming effects - supported by preclinical studies demonstrating significant anxiolytic and sedative activity through GABAergic modulation

## What do recent clinical trials show?

- El Menyiy N, Mrabti HN, El Omari N and others 2022. [Medicinal Uses, Phytochemistry, Pharmacology, and Toxicology of Mentha spicata](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35463088/). *Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM*. PMID [35463088](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35463088/) · [doi:10.1155/2022/7990508](https://doi.org/10.1155/2022/7990508)  
  Comprehensive review confirming antibacterial, antifungal, antioxidant, [hepatoprotective](/reference/hepatoprotective/), [antidiabetic](/reference/antidiabetic/), cytotoxic, anti-inflammatory, larvicidal, antigenotoxic, and antiandrogenic activities of M. spicata extracts and essential oils.
- Mahendran G, Verma SK, Rahman LU 2021. [The traditional uses, phytochemistry and pharmacology of spearmint (Mentha spicata L.): A review](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34087400/). *Journal of ethnopharmacology*. PMID [34087400](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34087400/) · [doi:10.1016/j.jep.2021.114266](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2021.114266)  
  Identified 35 chemical constituents in spearmint; validated pharmacological properties support traditional uses including digestive, cooling, and toxin-clearing applications in Ayurveda.
- Ali-Shtayeh MS, Jamous RM, Abu-Zaitoun SY and others 2019. [Biological Properties and Bioactive Components of Mentha spicata L. Essential Oil: Focus on Potential Benefits in the Treatment of Obesity, Alzheimer's Disease, Dermatophytosis, and Drug-Resistant Infections](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31772594/). *Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM*. PMID [31772594](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31772594/) · [doi:10.1155/2019/3834265](https://doi.org/10.1155/2019/3834265)  
  Demonstrated pancreatic lipase inhibition by carvone and M. spicata essential oil for obesity management; also showed strong inhibitory effect on MRSA biofilm formation for drug-resistant infections.

*1 further claim previously listed here could not be traced to a published paper and has been removed. An absence here means we could not identify the source, not that no work exists.*

## Recent safety updates

- GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) status for spearmint and spearmint extracts as flavoring in beverages, pharmaceuticals, and confectionaries by US-FDA
- Double-blind RCT in healthy adults confirmed safety of 600-900 mg/day for 90 days with no effect on hormonal parameters (FSH, LH, TSH) or vital signs
- Pulegone content must be kept below 0.5% per British Pharmacopoeia standards due to potential hepatotoxicity; more human clinical trials needed to establish full safety profile for therapeutic doses

## Dosage forms and preparation

**Dosage Forms:** Swarasa (fresh juice), Essential oil (oral capsule), Churna, Capsule, Tablet, Tea/infusion, Enteric-coated soft gel (peppermint oil), Lozenges, Cream/gel, [Arka](/herb/arka/) (distillate)

**Standard Dosage:** 1-2 g dried herb as tea, 2-3 times daily; 0.2-0.4 mL peppermint oil in enteric-coated capsule 3 times daily; 5-10 mL fresh juice; 2-3 drops essential oil for inhalation

**Bioavailability:** [Menthol](/herb/menthol/) has excellent oral bioavailability (>80%) with rapid absorption (Tmax 30-60 min). Undergoes hepatic glucuronidation and is excreted renally. Rosmarinic acid bioavailability is moderate (~25-35%). Enteric coating of peppermint oil capsules prevents premature release in stomach (which causes heartburn) and delivers oil to the small intestine and colon for IBS efficacy. Inhalation provides near-immediate systemic absorption of volatiles. Topical [menthol](/herb/menthol/) activates TRPM8 cold receptors providing [analgesic](/reference/analgesic/) and cooling sensation.

**Optimal Timing:** Peppermint oil capsules: 30-60 minutes before meals for IBS. Tea/infusion: after meals for digestive comfort. Topical: as needed for headache, muscle pain. Inhalation: as needed for congestion.

**Standardized Extract:** Peppermint essential oil (Mentha piperita) standardized to menthol 35-45%, [menthone](/glossary/compounds-l-o/#menthone) 15-25%. Mentha arvensis oil (dementholized) with menthol 70-80%. Hydroalcoholic leaf extract with rosmarinic acid >5%.

**Shelf Life:** Fresh herb: 3-5 days refrigerated; Dried herb: 12-18 months; Essential oil: 24-36 months; Enteric-coated capsules: 24-36 months; Extract: 24 months

**Storage:** Fresh herb: refrigerated 2-8 deg C in damp cloth. Dried herb: airtight, below 25 deg C, protect from light. Essential oil: amber glass, tightly sealed, 15-25 deg C. Enteric-coated capsules: blister packs, below 25 deg C, RH <60%.

**Marker Compounds:** Menthol, Menthone, Menthyl acetate, 1,8-Cineole, Limonene, Rosmarinic acid, Eriocitrin, [Luteolin](/glossary/compounds-l-o/#luteolin)-7-O-glucoside

### Extraction Methods

- Steam distillation for essential oil (yield 1-3%)
- Hydrodistillation
- Fresh juice expression
- Aqueous infusion (tea preparation)
- Hydroalcoholic extraction (60-70% ethanol) for rosmarinic acid
- Supercritical CO2 for menthol-enriched fractions

### Synergistic Combinations

- [Ajwain](/herb/ajwain/) (carminative and digestive synergy)
- Adrak/[Ginger](/herb/ginger/) (anti-nausea and digestive combination)
- Saunf/[Fennel](/herb/fennel/) (IBS management formulation)
- Elaichi/Cardamom (digestive and breath freshener)
- Jeera/[Cumin](/herb/cumin/) (digestive spice combination)

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Canonical version of this page: https://nighantu.ageayurveda.com/herb/pudina/

## Sources

- Amidha Ayurveda Herb Database (700+ herbs, CC-BY-4.0)
- Web research (clinical trials, WHO monographs, safety databases)
- Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India

Published by Age Ayurveda in the Nighantu. Educational reference only, not medical advice.
Incorporates material from the Amidha Ayurveda Herb Database under CC BY 4.0.