Spearmint is commonly used to help relieve symptoms of indigestion, nausea, vomiting and gas.

The compound (-)-carvone, which is naturally found in spearmint, has been shown to strongly inhibit muscle contractions in the digestive tract, which may explain how this herb helps relieve digestive upsets.

High in Antioxidants

Antioxidants are natural chemical compounds found in plants that help protect against and repair damage caused by free radicals, which are harmful molecules that can lead to oxidative stress.

Oxidative stress has been linked to several chronic conditions, including heart disease, cancer and diabetes .

Spearmint contains a large number of antioxidant compounds, including rosmarinic acid, flavones and flavanones like limonene and menthol .

Two tablespoons (11 grams) of spearmint also provides 2% of the Reference Daily Intake (RDI) for vitamin C, another potent antioxidant .

For women with hormone imbalances, spearmint tea may provide relief.

Studies in women have shown that it can decrease male hormones like testosterone while increasing female hormones necessary for ovulation, such as luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and estradiol.

In one five-day study in 21 women with hormone imbalances, two cups of spearmint tea a day decreased testosterone and increased LH, FSH and estradiol levels .

Similarly, in a 30-day randomized study, 42 women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) who drank spearmint tea twice a day had lower testosterone levels and higher LH and FSH levels compared to women who drank a placebo tea .

Drinking spearmint tea may help reduce hirsutism, or growth of dark, coarse hair on the face, chest and abdomen of women.

In fact, it’s a common herbal remedy for unwanted hair growth in Middle Eastern countries.

High levels of male hormones, or androgens, are linked to an overgrowth of facial hair in women.

Two studies in women with facial hair have shown that drinking spearmint tea may help.

In one five-day study, 12 women with PCOS and nine women with facial hair due to unknown causes were given two cups of spearmint tea twice a day during the follicular phase of their menstrual cycle.

While the study was not long enough to determine whether spearmint affected facial hair, the women’s testosterone levels were reduced.

In a longer, 30-day study in 41 women with PCOS, women who drank two cups a day of spearmint tea reported a reduction in their facial hair.

However, 30 days may not be long enough to see a definitive difference.

There’s some evidence that this herb may help improve memory.

Studies have shown that mice given a spearmint extract experienced improved learning and memory as shown by their performance on a maze test .

Previous studies in humans found that chewing mint-flavored gum may help improve memory. However, later studies have failed to confirm its beneficial effects.

Spearmint is a popular flavoring agent in toothpaste, breath mints and chewing gums.

However, it does more than freshen your breath — it also has antibacterial and antimicrobial properties, which may help kill the bacteria in your mouth that cause bad breath.

Studies have found that spearmint essential oil is effective against several types of harmful bacteria .

Additionally, it has been shown to work against bacteria that cause food borne illnesses, including E. coli and Listeria .

Spearmint tea may help lower blood sugar in people with diabetes.

Spearmint tea may help promote relaxation and reduce stress.

Spearmint may help relieve joint pain caused by arthritis.

Spearmint may help lower high blood pressure.

Though human studies on this potential property are unavailable, some scientific evidence suggests that this herb may have beneficial effects in this regard.

A compound in spearmint called (-)-carvone has been shown to act similarly to calcium-channel blockers, medications used to treat high blood pressure .