Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 1

Spearmint leaf (Mentha spicata) has traditionally been used in herbal medicine for a variety of ailments, including headaches. Historical records from traditional systems such as Unani, Ayurveda, and folk medicine often mention mint species, including spearmint, as remedies for headache relief. The suggested mechanism is related to its mild analgesic (pain-relieving), anti-inflammatory, and calming effects, which are attributed to compounds like carvone and limonene found in spearmint oil. The leaves are sometimes used in teas or as poultices applied to the forehead for symptomatic relief.

However, while there is anecdotal and historical use, direct scientific evidence supporting spearmint specifically for headache relief is minimal. Most clinical research on headaches and mint focuses on Peppermint oil (Mentha piperita), which contains higher menthol concentrations, a compound shown to have analgesic effects in controlled studies. Spearmint contains much less menthol, and there are few, if any, modern clinical trials evaluating its efficacy for headaches. Thus, the traditional use is the primary basis for its application in this context, and the strength of evidence is weak. People seeking mint-based headache relief may find better-supported options with peppermint oil, but spearmint continues to be mentioned in ethnobotanical literature for this purpose.

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