Pudina
Mentha spicata
Pudina (Mentha spicata) is a plant drug, from the Lamiaceae family. Listed in the British Pharmacopoeia with specifications for essential oil composition (carvone >=55%, pulegone <0.5%).
| Botanical name | Mentha spicata |
|---|---|
| Family | Lamiaceae · other entries in this family |
| Order | Lamiales |
| 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 Rasaratna Samucchaya. Not listed as standalone WHO monograph; additional clinical trial evidence needed. |
| Taxon identifiers | GBIF 2927175 · Wikidata Q160114 · NCBI Taxonomy 29719 |
The evidence at a glance
12papers on this site for this drug, published 2010 to 2026, every one with a DOI.
- 1Systematic reviews and meta-analyses
- 3Randomised controlled trials
- 8Other clinical studies and reviews
A count is not a conclusion and a tier is a study design, not a verdict. Each paper is listed with what it measured on the page below. See the research index for how papers are tiered.
Names and identification
| Language | Name |
|---|---|
| English | Spearmint |
| Hindi | Pudina |
| Latin/Botanical | Mentha spicata |
Key Phytochemical Constituents
- Carvone (50-70% of essential oil)
- Rosmarinic acid (88% of total phenolics in leaf extracts)
- Limonene
- 1,8-Cineole
- Naringenin and Naringin (flavonoids)
- Quercetin
- Menthol (trace amounts, <2%)
- Pulegone (<0.5%)
How does it work?
- Carvone and spearmint essential oil have been reported to inhibit pancreatic lipase in laboratory studies; effects on fat absorption in humans have not been established
- Rosmarinic acid provides potent antioxidant activity through free radical scavenging and metal chelation, with additional immunosuppressant and anti-inflammatory effects
- Anxiolytic and sedative effects mediated through GABAergic system modulation, enhancing GABA receptor activity
- 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, reducing prostaglandin and leukotriene synthesis
Which traditional uses are supported by research?
These summaries come from the source notes, which do not name the studies behind them.
- Traditionally used as a digestive aid for bloating, indigestion, and IBS. A double-blind clinical study of spearmint extract reported reduced bloating and discomfort.
- Traditionally used for its cooling and fever-reducing properties. Pharmacological studies have reported antipyretic activity.
- Traditionally used for cough, cold, and asthma. Studies have reported bronchodilatory and expectorant activity.
- Traditionally used for oral and skin infections. Studies have reported activity against drug-resistant bacteria, including MRSA.
- Traditionally used for its calming effects. Preclinical studies have reported anxiolytic and sedative activity through GABAergic modulation.
What do recent studies show?
- El Menyiy N, Mrabti HN, El Omari N and others 2022. Medicinal Uses, Phytochemistry, Pharmacology, and Toxicology of Mentha spicata. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM. PMID 35463088 · doi:10.1155/2022/7990508
Comprehensive review confirming antibacterial, antifungal, antioxidant, hepatoprotective, 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. Journal of ethnopharmacology. PMID 34087400 · doi:10.1016/j.jep.2021.114266
A review of the traditional uses, phytochemistry and pharmacology of spearmint. In Ayurveda, it is traditionally used for digestive, cooling, and toxin-clearing purposes. - 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. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM. PMID 31772594 · doi: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.
Only studies that could be traced to a published paper are listed here. 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 (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
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.
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, 1,8-Cineole, Limonene, Rosmarinic acid
Synergistic Combinations
Published research
Literature indexed in PubMed that concerns this subject, grouped by study type. A paper appearing here is a record of what has been published, not evidence that the subject works, and laboratory or animal results do not transfer to people. Study titles link to PubMed so you can read the source rather than take our word.
Systematic reviews and meta-analyses1
- 2010. An evidence-based systematic review of spearmint by the natural standard research collaborationJournal of dietary supplements. PMID 22435615 · doi:10.3109/19390211.2010.486702
Randomised controlled trials3
- 2026. Improved HDL, LDL and total cholesterol levels following a 3-month administration of Mentha spicata leaf extract and Amaranthus caudatus seed flour extracts, flavonoids and B vitamins. A placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomized clinical trialNutrition, metabolism, and cardiovascular diseases : NMCD. PMID 41519619 · doi:10.1016/j.numecd.2025.104470
- 2018. Volatile Terpenes and Brain Function: Investigation of the Cognitive and Mood Effects of Mentha × Piperita L. Essential Oil with In Vitro Properties Relevant to Central Nervous System FunctionNutrients. PMID 30087294 · doi:10.3390/nu10081029
- 2018. Spearmint Extract Improves Working Memory in Men and Women with Age-Associated Memory ImpairmentJournal of alternative and complementary medicine (New York, N.Y.). PMID 29314866 · doi:10.1089/acm.2016.0379
Other clinical studies and reviews8
- 2024. Dietary agents in the prevention of radiation-induced nausea and vomiting (RINV): review addressing the scientific observations, benefits, lacunae and future directionInternational journal of radiation biology. PMID 38506659 · doi:10.1080/09553002.2024.2309899
- 2022. Medicinal Uses, Phytochemistry, Pharmacology, and Toxicology of Mentha spicataEvidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM. PMID 35463088 · doi:10.1155/2022/7990508
- 2022. Medicinal herbs in treating chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting: A reviewPhytotherapy research : PTR. PMID 35841194 · doi:10.1002/ptr.7563
- 2022. Bioactive properties of the aromatic molecules of spearmint (Mentha spicata L.) essential oil: a reviewFood & function. PMID 35212344 · doi:10.1039/d1fo04080d
- 2021. The traditional uses, phytochemistry and pharmacology of spearmint (Mentha spicata L.): A reviewJournal of ethnopharmacology. PMID 34087400 · doi:10.1016/j.jep.2021.114266
- 2021. Mentha spicata L. essential oil, phytochemistry and its effectiveness in flatulenceJournal of traditional and complementary medicine. PMID 33728265 · doi:10.1016/j.jtcme.2017.08.011
- 2020. Characterization, activities, and ethnobotanical uses of Mentha species in MoroccoHeliyon. PMID 33294657 · doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2020.e05480
- 2020. The Role of medicinal herbs in treatment of insulin resistance in patients with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A literature reviewBiomolecular concepts. PMID 32229652 · doi:10.1515/bmc-2020-0005
Reviewed by Dr. Awadesh Pratap Singh, BAMS, on 11 October 2026. What that review covered.
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