Pudina
Mentha spicata
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%).
| 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 Mughal-era Ayurvedic manuals (Rasaratna Samucchaya). Not listed as standalone WHO monograph; additional clinical trial evidence needed. |
| Taxon identifiers | GBIF 2927175 · Wikidata Q160114 · NCBI Taxonomy 29719 |
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
- 1,8-Cineole
- Naringenin and Naringin (flavonoids)
- Quercetin
- 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 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?
- 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 activity
- Respiratory relief for cough, cold, and asthma - confirmed through bronchodilatory and 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. 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
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. 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.
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 (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 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 activates TRPM8 cold receptors providing 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 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-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
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 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
- 2022. Medicinal Uses, Phytochemistry, Pharmacology, and Toxicology of Mentha spicataEvidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM. PMID 35463088 · doi:10.1155/2022/7990508
- 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
- 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
- 2017. Mentha spicata as natural analgesia for treatment of pain in osteoarthritis patientsComplementary therapies in clinical practice. PMID 28107842 · doi:10.1016/j.ctcp.2016.11.001
- 2013. Adverse effects of herbal medicines: an overview of systematic reviewsClinical medicine (London, England). PMID 23472485 · doi:10.7861/clinmedicine.13-1-7
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