Moroccan Mint - Nana

Detailed Description

This type of mint has the greatest therapeutic use in traditional folk medicine.

Botanical Information

Moroccan mint (Nana mint) is a perennial upright herb with rhizomes, growing from 30 to 100 cm tall. Stems and leaves may have variable densities of surface hairs, and the plant has a fleshy underground rhizome. The leaves are opposite, either sessile or with short petioles, measuring 5–9 cm long and 1.5–3 cm wide, with a toothed margin. The leaf blade is lanceolate to elliptical or ovate. The venation on the underside is especially distinct, showing up to ten lateral veins.

The stem is characteristically square in cross-section, a hallmark of the Lamiaceae family, and is richly branched at the top. Spearmint produces spikes of tiny pink to white flowers (2.5–3 mm), with closely spaced flowers on the upper stems (flower spikes are 4–11 cm long). The corolla is pale pink to pinkish-purple. From each corolla emerge four equal-length stamens. The flowering period is July to September. The rhizome measures 5–15 cm long, may be hairy, and is mostly subterranean with smooth runners. The plant is covered in dense, downward-curved trichomes, interspersed with branched hairs or fine papillae, giving an overall almost hairless appearance.

Origin and Distribution

Spearmint likely originated in Western Europe, though some sources mention Central Europe. It has spread worldwide predominantly through human cultivation, either for ornamental use or for its aromatic leaves. Spearmint thrives in temperate zones and is found across Europe, Asia, Africa, North and South America, Australia, New Zealand, and nearby oceanic islands. In new environments, spearmint spreads rapidly due to a lack of natural predators and its invasive root system.

Spearmint prefers moist, loamy, fairly deep soils with slightly acidic to slightly alkaline pH. It often grows along waterways, pond or lake banks, marshes, damp gardens, fields, meadows, pastures, and along paths.

Usage / Dosage

Commonly, spearmint is appreciated in cosmetics, food, and pharmaceuticals for its flavor and fragrance—used in candies, mouthwash, and toothpaste. The leaves are also used to prepare various medicinal or aromatic teas and culinary dishes. Decoctions from spearmint have been recommended for centuries for upper respiratory infections, digestive issues, and also as an addition to therapeutic baths for rheumatism and skin infections.

In folk medicine, Moroccan mint is used (as a medicinal tea) to help manage liver or gallbladder disorders. Herbal teas containing spearmint are used to relieve nervousness, to soothe the nervous system, reduce pain, and treat gastric neuroses and dyspepsia. It is also traditionally valued for supporting breathing and respiratory function. Inhalation or aromatherapy is advised for catarrh of the upper respiratory tract, and herbal baths with spearmint are used for the same purpose, as well as for mental lability.

In Anglo-Saxon folk medicine, spearmint is recommended for digestive ailments such as bloating, poor digestion (dyspepsia), diarrhea, spasms of the upper digestive tract, irritable bowel, gall bladder, and gallstone problems. Other uses include colds, flu, sore throat, headaches or toothaches, and inflammatory conditions of the musculoskeletal and respiratory systems. Some herbalists recommend spearmint as a mental stimulant, antihelminthic, local anesthetic and analgesic, and as a smooth muscle antispasmodic. Spearmint tea or decoction is also applied directly to the skin for arthritis, localized muscle pain, neuropathy, itching, hives, or is used as a gargle or mouthwash to cleanse the oral cavity.

Historically, spearmint has also been used as an antiemetic, antiseptic, diuretic, tonic, antispasmodic, stomachic, carminative, and stimulant. Herbal tea is recommended in Anglo-Saxon herbal literature for the treatment of fever, bronchitis, colds, chills, cramps, gastritis, headaches, poor digestion, morning sickness, nasal congestion, nausea, painful menstruation, and other minor ailments. The stems can be crushed and used as poultices for abrasions. The essential oil of Moroccan mint is suggested for rubbing or massaging areas affected by muscle cramps, stiffness, pain, and rheumatic joints. Folk medicine recommends all parts of the plant in the treatment of cancer, and poultices are advised for external application to treat tumors. The whole plant is known to repel insects, rats, and mice.

Historically, spearmint extracts have been studied for their effect on hirsutism (male-pattern facial/body hair in women). Early studies from the last century suggested that regular consumption—at least 1 month, 2x daily—of spearmint lowered male hormones (testosterone) and raised female hormones (estradiol) in women with hirsutism, especially from polycystic ovary syndrome. Modern clinical studies, however, do not confirm these claims. Other earlier studies mention the use of approximately 30 drops of spearmint-based products, in combination with coriander, alongside loperamide or psyllium for managing irritable bowel syndrome.

Numerous scientific studies have examined the possible uses and clinical evaluation (including statistical assessment) of various concentrations and doses per body weight of spearmint leaf compounds in cell cultures, animals, and humans (both healthy and ill), focusing on their effect on traditional health claims. Favorable results have been demonstrated for spearmint leaf’s positive influence on digestion and digestive comfort.

Peppermint oil (from a related mint), has been studied to assess its effects on the central nervous system. The Cochrane Dementia and Cognitive Improvement Group found that inhaling spearmint essential oil (aromatherapy) had beneficial results in improving certain aspects of Alzheimer’s dementia. Other research described positive outcomes using an ethanol extract of peppermint oil in reducing pain sensitivity in migraine attacks in adults, as well as supporting cognitive function and memory recall in older patients with mild cognitive impairment.

Many laboratory studies have explored the use of Moroccan mint (Mentha spicata) extracts to inhibit the growth of cancer cell lines of various types (breast, colon, glioblastoma, lung, leukemia, and prostate). A 2014 study from India reported a 70–97% reduction in cancer cell numbers using aqueous or methanolic extracts of Moroccan mint, indicating a significant cytotoxic effect, which may hold promise in developing new antitumor therapies in the future.

Two studies have described the antiviral use of Mentha spicata extracts in treating HIV, with ethanol extracts acting as a “killer” of retroviruses, thereby reducing active viral counts (in laboratory settings). In vitro, Moroccan mint essential oil has shown antibacterial properties against various pathogenic strains, including Escherichia coli, Helicobacter pylori (inhibitory), methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Pseudomonas species, Enterobacter aerogenes, and Salmonella enteritidis. Antifungal effects have also been observed to a lesser extent.

Due to limited information on the use of Moroccan mint in pregnant or breastfeeding women, its use in large amounts is not recommended. In higher doses, Moroccan mint is considered possibly “unsafe” for the uterine lining, so it is not recommended during pregnancy.

Active Compounds

Moroccan mint is prized worldwide for its essential oil content. The most notable constituent is R-(-)-carvone, which gives the plant its characteristic aroma. Other important compounds include 1,8-cineole, dihydrocarvone, limonene, eugenol, farnesol, geraniol, pulegone, terpinen-4-ol, borneol, piperitone, alpha-pinene, alpha-terpineol, apigenin, thymol, menthofuran, sabinene, and in smaller amounts, menthol and menthone.

In addition to essential oils, spearmint contains flavonoids, acetic acid, arginine, benzaldehyde, benzyl alcohol, beta-carotene, beta-sitosterol, acetophenone, calcium, hesperidin, diosmin, caryophyllene, ethanol, luteolin, methionine, niacin, oleanolic acid, perillyl alcohol, rosmarinic acid, thiamine, tryptophan, ursolic acid, bitters, tannins, and various vitamins and minerals.

Traditional Dosage

The medicinal parts of the plant are the leaves, stems, and their essential oil, although some herbal sources mention the root. To prepare tea, use approximately 5 grams of dried aerial parts and leaves of Moroccan mint, pour about 500 ml of hot or boiling water over them, and let steep for 10 minutes or less.

When using Moroccan mint essential oil to reduce gastrointestinal issues, a dosage of 450–750 mg per day (split into 2–3 doses, or about 0.1–0.2 ml per dose) is recommended.

For pain attacks, apply a 10% solution of essential oil in a thin layer to the affected area, repeating every 15–30 minutes as needed. Strong herbal infusions of stems/leaves can also be used. The tea may be sipped throughout the day at 6–12 hour intervals. Herbal balms, salves, or tinctures may also be prepared for external application.