Blast from the past! Do you remember this one?  “Carry the big fresh flavor, wherever you go, whatever you do.” This is a little jingle was for Wrigley’s Spearmint Gum. I remember, as a child, opening a package of spearmint gum, smelling the gum’s aromatic scent, and biting into the juicy taste of spearmint. Yum! At the time, I didn’t know that spearmint, at least the real plant, contains constituents that could provide support for my body. Spearmint can easily be grown and made into herbal preparations that can benefit our family members.

Personal Story

I enjoy herbal teas. In the winter, hot tea is my choice. In summer, iced tea is an enjoyable way to quench my thirst and hydrate my body. This summer, I plan to make spearmint iced tea. Spearmint has a cooling effect on the body, so it will be a great way to help me stay cool on a hot summer day.

Growing Spearmint

Spearmint is an herb that is simple to grow. It can easily grow in a container on your porch or patio or even near a sunny window in your house. In fact, it may be best planted in containers because it spreads like crazy and will overtake surrounding plant in a garden. It is also suitable to grow in raised beds or in a simple wagon wheel or ladder garden design. Where the plant is grown does affect the composition of the plant.

Spearmint for the Family

Spearmint is milder than peppermint, another mint family member. Its mildness makes it a great choice for children and pregnant women because its constituents are not as strong, toxic, or irritating. Pregnant mothers enjoy its calming, soothing, and nervine effects, as well as its help in fighting nausea from nervous tension or stress. Stressed out men also benefit from the calming effects of spearmint. It can be enjoyed and provide benefits for many family members.

Medicinal Benefits

The digestive system and brain receive benefits from spearmint.

• It is an herb that soothes the muscles of the stomach and upper digestive tract. Spearmint can bring relief for pain from ulcers of various kinds. It helps with digestion and lessens the symptoms of bloating or gas. It also provides a mild astringent effect that can help stabilize diarrhea enough that fluids could be taken by mouth and tolerated without loss.
• Spearmint helps the brain by improving mood and nervous issues, such as anxiety and nervous exhaustion. Spearmint can help moderate inflammation since it can help the body in its endeavors to relax. In addition, it provides some immune support.

Spearmint is often added to herbal preparations because its sweet flavor makes other herbs easier to consume. Formulas where you might find spearmint added include indigestion, irritable bowel syndrome, diverticulitis, gas, bloating, preventive heart care, and grief. It is considered a cooling herb.

Action

Try a cup of spearmint tea when you have a digestive complaint, when you are stressed out, or on a hot day and need to cool down.

May God bless your healthful endeavors!

Joni

P.S. Have you experienced any benefits from spearmint?