Spearmint Leaf

History:

Spearmint is a hardy, herbaceous perennial that is native to the Mediterranean region but also grows wild and is cultivated in temperate climates over most of the world. Plants of the mint family are a complex group, involving hybridization in both the wild and in cultivation, and they are so numerous that it is sometimes difficult to identify the individual plants within the species. As a matter of fact, a ninth-century monk, writing about these plants, said he'd rather count the sparks in a furnace than count the different varieties of mint. Nonetheless, mints have been known and appreciated since antiquity for their fragrance and taste and their important use in herbal preparations. Spearmint is a leafy plant with square stems that bear short, uneven, serrate leaves topped by slender, terminal spikes and pale purple or mauve flowers that bloom from July to September. The plant may be found in rich, moist, alkaline soils in sun or partial shade and grows to a height of about two feet. The genus, mentha, is derived from the name of a nymph, Minthe, who was seduced by Pluto and who the jealous Persephone turned into a seedling (mint). There is evidence that mint was cultivated by the Egyptians, and the Romans revered it so much that they are said to have introduced it from southern Europe to other parts of Europe. Therapeutic interest in mint dates from the first century A.D., when its use was recorded by the Roman naturalist, Pliny. The use of mint as a medicine is mentioned in the Icelandic Pharmacopœias of the thirteenth century; and in Elizabethan times, mints was used to serve more than forty health issues. It is interesting to note that a seventeenth-century visitor to New England included mint on a list of plants that had been taken to the New World. However, the herb only appears to have arrived into the popular medicine of Western Europe by the eighteenth century. Cultivation of Spearmint takes place worldwide as a very important commercial crop that is used for flavoring candy, ice cream, gum, liqueurs, tobacco and medicines; for its fragrance in perfumes, potpourris, lotions and pomanders; for its efficacy in repelling insects; and finally, for its all-important therapeutic applications. Spearmint shares many of the uses of peppermint, in slightly weaker proportions, but will precipitate all the same actions, which are simultaneously warming and cooling. The primary use of Spearmint in herbal therapy has always been as a digestive and gastrointestinal system support, but the almost countless list of applications also includes lung, throat, bodily joints, urinary, head and muscular support and also skin applications, among many others. Some of the ingredients in Spearmint include an important essential oil, which contains the simple terpene derivative, carvone (its major active principle), choline, tannin, acids, minerals, vitamins, alpha- and beta-carotenes, azulenes and a bitter principle.

Recommended Dosage:
Take two (2) capsules, one (1) to two (2) times each day with water at mealtimes.

Contraindications:
Currently, there are no known warning or contraindications with the use of Spearmint Leaf Herbal Supplement.

Capsule Information:
Our Spearmint Leaf supplements are encapsulated in 100% Gluten-free, Vegetable Cellulose, Certified Kosher, size "00" Capsules.(click here for size comparison) Each capsule contains approximately 600 mgs.

Special Note:
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Disclaimer:
The information presented herein by Herbal Extracts Plus is intended for educational purposes only. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, cure, treat or prevent disease. Individual results may vary, and before using any supplements, it is always advisable to consult with your own health care provider.