31 Great Uses for Spearmint Essential Oil

Spearmint essential oil is the oil of choice for people who want to use peppermint essential oil but can’t tolerate peppermint’s high menthol content. Think of spearmint oil as peppermint light. It is mint that is high in carvone and limonene rather than menthol.

This oil is steam distilled from the leaves of the spearmint plant, which is known botanically as Mentha spicata syn. M. cardiaca and M. viridis. You can use it to treat bacterial and fungal infections, headaches, digestive tract problems, menstrual irregularity, neuropathy and fatigue. It has antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, antispasmodic, antiviral, cephalic, emmenagogue, insecticidal, restorative and stimulant therapeutic properties.

1. Alleviate Constipation

Mix 1 drop of spearmint essential oil into 1 teaspoon of carrier oil and massage it into the lower abdomen and lower back to alleviate constipation. It will relax the muscles, making it easier to go.

2. Stop Diarrhea

Use spearmint oil in the same way to stop diarrhea. It will relieve uncomfortable muscle spasms.

3. Relieve Nausea, Indigestion and Flatulence

Add 1 to 2 drops of spearmint oil to your diffuser, along with 1/4 to 1/2 cup of distilled water, and run the diffuser for 30 to 60 minutes to get relief from flatulence, indigestion and nausea. For best results, enjoy spearmint aromatherapy during mealtime.

You can also apply the 1% spearmint/carrier oil blend topically for this. It is especially good for flatulence, due to its abdominal muscle-relaxing carminative properties.

4. Treat Bacterial Infections of the Digestive Tract

Apply the 1% spearmint EO/carrier oil blend to the abdomen two to three times a day to treat intestinal bacterial infections. You can ingest 1 drop of spearmint oil up to 3 times a day; however, topical application will usually do the trick.

If you do decide to try taking spearmint oil orally, add 1 drop of the spearmint oil and 1 drop of cooking oil to a vege cap and take it that way. You can also add 1 drop to juice or tea.

*Manufacturers often dilute spearmint oil with a synthetic carvone substance. Make sure you buy high-quality, unadulterated spearmint essential oil.*

Important Note: Whatever you choose for an oil, make sure that the oils you purchase are high quality. Remember, you’re breathing this oil into your lungs so essential oil quality is a terrible place to cut corners.

5. Enhance the Digestive Process

Blend 1 drop of spearmint essential oil into 1 teaspoon of the carrier oil of your choice and massage it into the abdomen after meals to enhance the digestive process. The spearmint oil encourages bile production and soothes and relaxes the abdominal muscles.

Begin massaging the oil into the skin on your upper right abdominal area directly over your liver. Continue all the way down in a circular motion.

6. Improve Cognitive Function

Add 1 to 2 drops of spearmint essential oil to your diffuser, along with about 1/4 to 1/2 cup of distilled water, and run the diffuser for 30 to 60 minutes to improve cognitive function. Spearmint essential oil’s stimulant properties stimulate brain and nerve function, improving your overall cognitive abilities.

7. Calm Hysteria

Practice spearmint essential oil aromatherapy to calm hysteria. The oil’s vapors will quickly calm and soothe the brain to help restore a more reasonable state of mind.

8. Cool Down

Apply 1 to 2 drops of a 1% spearmint essential oil/carrier oil blend to the temples, forehead, throat, back of the neck and chest to cool down. Spearmint has a wonderful cooling effect when you are feeling overly warm or stressed.

Due to its cephalic properties, it cools and relaxes the brain. Applying it to the soles of the feet will cool them down and have a whole-body cooling effect.

Lyme Disease Treatment

See our article on chronic lyme disease treatmentRead the FREE Article Now

*A 1.7% dilution rate is the strongest safe dilution rate for the topical application of spearmint EO. For everyday use, you shouldn’t use any more than a 1% dilution rate (1 drop of essential oil per teaspoon of carrier oil) at most. Otherwise, you may experience skin irritation.* 

9. Relieve Stress

Practice spearmint EO aromatherapy for stress relief. For best results, carve out 15 to 30 minutes of quiet time with the lights dimmed while enjoying your aromatherapy. Spearmint oil is very calming but not sedative.

10. Alleviate Fatigue

Apply a 1% spearmint essential oil to the chest or practice spearmint aromatherapy to boost your energy levels and enhance motivation.

11. Reduce Inflammation

Massage a few drops of the 1% spearmint EO blend into irritated, inflamed areas. The spearmint oil will quickly reduce swelling and inflammation of the tissues. Its regenerative properties will also speed healing.

12. Improve Liver and Gallbladder Function

Apply 1 to 2 drops of a 1% spearmint essential oil blend to the upper right abdominal area to detox your liver and improve liver and gallbladder function. It can be applied at night before bed and again in the morning when you get up.

13. Treat Hepatitis

Include spearmint essential oil in your hepatitis treatment. You can use the 1% spearmint essential oil blend or add 2 drops of lemon and rose oil to the blend to make it even more effective. The best time to massage the oil into the upper right abdominal area directly over the liver is just before you go to bed.

Apple Cider Vinegar Fat-Loss Mystery Explained

Jake Carney explains the research on ACVLearn More

14. Improve Metabolism

Practice spearmint aromatherapy to give your metabolism a boost. It can help with weight loss, too. A higher metabolism burns more calories. Add 1 to 2 drops to your diffuser and run it in the morning to energize yourself and start the day off right.

15. Regulate Menstruation

Practice spearmint aromatherapy and apply a 1% spearmint essential oil/carrier oil blend to the lower abdominal area and lower back for improved menstrual regularity. It also reduces cramps, lower back pain, bloating, nausea, fatigue and irritability that commonly accompany menstruation.

*Place a drop of a 1% spearmint essential oil/carrier oil blend on an inconspicuous area of skin and wait for at least a few hours to make sure you aren’t sensitive to it.*

16. Reduce Symptoms of Menopause

Spearmint’s cooling effect is wonderful for hot flashes, but it does much more than that. It actually encourages natural hormone balance and enhances estrogen production. It can even slow down the aging process and delay menopause.

17. Alleviate Vertigo

Apply a 1% spearmint essential oil/carrier oil blend to the temples, in front of the ear, behind the ear and on the back of the neck to alleviate vertigo. Aromatherapy can also help with this and it relieves the nausea that often accompanies dizziness.

9 Reasons to Use Coconut Oil

Learn More

18. Prevent Fainting

Practice spearmint aromatherapy to prevent fainting when you begin to feel light-headed or faint. In an emergency, you can inhale the vapors directly from the bottle.

Hold the bottle several inches from your nose, though, and be careful not to get the oil up or nose or on your skin. It will irritate the mucous membranes and the skin, if applied without a carrier oil.

19. Reduce a Fever

Put a few drops of a 1% spearmint EO/carrier oil blend on your fingertips and apply the oil to your forehead, temples, behind the ears, the back of the neck and the chest to reduce a fever.

20. Treat the Flu or a Cold

Use the 1% spearmint oil/carrier oil blend to treat a cold or the flu. Its natural antiviral and cooling properties will help you feel better and fight the viral infection. Just apply it to the chest, throat and the back of the neck. It can be used to make an effective vapor rub, too, along with olive oil, coconut oil, bees wax and eucalyptus oil.

Simply use the spearmint instead of peppermint. It will be milder yet still quit effective. You can also put 1 to 2 drops in your diffuser and the run that for 30 to 60 minutes 3 to 4 times a day to open the airways and thin mucous.

21. Get Headache Relief

Gently, massage the temples and forehead with a 1% spearmint/carrier oil blend for headache relief. Spearmint aromatherapy can relieve headaches, too.

22. Clear Sinus Congestion

Practice spearmint aromatherapy to get rid of sinus congestion. It is a very effective decongestant that thins out the sinus drainage.

23. Enhance Wound Healing

Apply a 1% spearmint oil/carrier oil blend to wounds to prevent or treat bacterial infections and speed healing. Babassu oil, unrefined coconut oil and jojoba oil are ideal carrier oils for this purpose. They also have antibacterial properties.

The Coconut & Thyroid Connection

Learn More

24. Alleviate Neuropathy Pain

Use the 1% spearmint oil/carrier oil blend for relief from neuropathy pain. It quickly relieves nerve pain and inflammation. Spearmint aromatherapy can also be used to treat neuropathy.

25. Get Relief from Muscle Aches and Pains

Massage a 1% spearmint oil/carrier oil blend into sore, achy muscles for quick relief. The spearmint oil relaxes the muscles and reduces inflammation.

*Spearmint essential oil should not be used while pregnant. Its emmenagogue properties stimulate menstruation.*

26. Speed Recovery from Illness

Practice spearmint essential oil aromatherapy and apply a 1% spearmint oil/carrier oil blend topically to speed recovery from any illness or injury. Spearmint EO’s restorative properties help the body heal itself.

27. Treat Acne

Moisturize acne-prone skin with a 1% spearmint essential oil/carrier oil blend. Its anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties will quickly heal the acne and prevent its return. Argan and jojoba oils are ideal for acne treatment.

They both control the production of sebum, which is the oily substance that causes acne. Argan is a bit lighter, absorbs faster and is better for oily skin. Jojoba oil also absorbs fairly quickly but it does tend to be a heavier. It is better for acne-prone skin that tends to be dry.

YOU Can Control Your Blood Sugar…

…Using Apple Cider Vinegar. Click to Read the Research.Learn More

28. Relieve Dermatitis

Apply a 1% spearmint/carrier oil blend to itchy dermatitis for quick relief. It will cool the irritated skin and reduce inflammation. Its antiseptic properties also help prevent bacterial infections.

29. Treat Ringworm and Athlete’s Foot

Use a 1% spearmint blend to treat ringworm and athlete’s foot. Wash the area, dry it thoroughly and apply the spearmint oil several times a day. Babassu oil, coconut oil and jojoba oil are the best carrier oils for treating fungal infections. They all have anti-fungal properties of their own.

29. Get Rid of Scabies

Use the 1% spearmint blend to get rid of scabies infections. Blend 1 drop of spearmint oil and 4 drops of lavender oil into 1 teaspoon of carrier oil and apply it to itchy areas after washing.

30. Alleviate Head Lice

Apply a 1% spearmint/carrier oil blend to the scalp, wait a few hours then wash your hair as usual. Spearmint oil has been clinically proven to be very effective against head lice. Use the head lice treatment once a week for three weeks.

31. Repel Insects

Mix 2 to 4 drops of spearmint essential oil with 1/8 teaspoon of carrier oil and 1 cup of warm water. Pour the mixture into a spray bottle and spray it on the skin to repel insects. It is said to repel ants, flies, mosquitoes and moths.

Was this list helpful to you? Spearmint essential oil has a sweet, minty, herbaceous fragrance that is just so refreshing. It is unlike any other type of mint. This is also a very affordable oil. It usually costs about $15 per 15ml bottle. Be cautious, though. Make sure you are getting a good quality spearmint oil that has not been cut with any other oils or synthetic substance, especially if you are going to take it orally. It really doesn’t cost much to get a good quality spearmint oil.

Please leave a comment to let me know if this list helped and share your own experiences with spearmint essential oil, if you have already used it. We can all learn from each other’s experience and keep adding to the on-going list of spearmint’s therapeutic uses. Be sure to share, too, so that others can become aware of all of its natural healing benefits.