Spearmint Extract
Research reviewed: Up until 03/2026
Spearmint Extract (Mentha spicata) is a dietary supplement with 8 published peer-reviewed studies involving 153 participants, researched for Anti-androgen Effects, PCOS & Hirsutism, Antioxidant and 2 more areas.
Evidence at a Glance
Strength is scored by study design, sample size, study type, and outcomes
Anti-androgen Effects
ModeratePCOS & Hirsutism
WeakAntioxidant
WeakDigestive Health
ModerateCardiovascular & Skin Health
ModerateResearch Visualised
Visual breakdown of the clinical data.
Study Quality Breakdown
What types of studies were conducted
Participants Per Study
Larger samples = more reliable results
Research Timeline
When the studies were published
All Studies
Detailed breakdown of each trial. Click to expand.
Anti-androgen Effects
To investigate whether spearmint tea has anti-androgenic effects in women with hirsutism.
Study Type
Randomised, single-blind, crossover
Purpose
To investigate whether spearmint tea has anti-androgenic effects in women with hirsutism.
Dose
Spearmint herbal tea (5 g dried spearmint in 250 mL boiling water) twice daily
Participants
21 women with idiopathic hirsutism
Duration
5 days
Results
Spearmint tea significantly decreased free testosterone and increased LH and FSH levels. No significant change in total testosterone or DHEAS. Results support anti-androgenic potential of spearmint for mild hirsutism.
How They Measured It
Free and total testosterone, DHEAS, LH, FSH, oestradiol serum levels, Ferriman-Gallwey hirsutism score
To evaluate the anti-androgenic effects of spearmint herbal tea in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome.
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, controlled
Purpose
To evaluate the anti-androgenic effects of spearmint herbal tea in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome.
Dose
Spearmint herbal tea (5 g dried spearmint twice daily) vs chamomile tea
Participants
42 women with PCOS
Duration
30 days
Results
Spearmint tea significantly decreased free and total testosterone levels compared to chamomile (control). Self-reported hirsutism showed greater improvement in the spearmint group. Longer trials recommended to assess cosmetic hair growth changes.
How They Measured It
Total and free testosterone, DHEAS, LH, FSH, self-reported and physician-assessed hirsutism
PCOS & Hirsutism
To investigate the effects of spearmint extract in an experimental PCOS model on LH, FSH, testosterone, and ovarian folliculogenesis.
Study Type
Animal study
Purpose
To investigate the effects of spearmint extract in an experimental PCOS model on LH, FSH, testosterone, and ovarian folliculogenesis.
Dose
Spearmint extract 125 mg/kg and 250 mg/kg
Participants
Female Wistar rats with PCOS induced by testosterone propionate
Duration
4 weeks
Results
Spearmint extract significantly reduced serum testosterone levels and improved folliculogenesis. LH/FSH ratio normalised in treated groups. Results suggest spearmint has direct anti-androgenic effects on the ovary.
How They Measured It
Serum LH, FSH, testosterone; ovarian histology; follicle counts
Antioxidant
To evaluate the antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of Mentha spicata essential oil and extracts.
Study Type
In vitro study
Purpose
To evaluate the antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of Mentha spicata essential oil and extracts.
Dose
Various concentrations
Participants
In vitro
Duration
N/A
Results
Spearmint extracts and essential oil demonstrated significant antioxidant activity in DPPH and ABTS assays. Rich phenolic content including rosmarinic acid contributed to the observed antioxidant capacity.
How They Measured It
DPPH, ABTS radical scavenging, FRAP, total phenolics
Digestive Health
To evaluate the effects of a spearmint-containing herbal supplement on memory and cognitive function in healthy older adults with subjective memory impairment.
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To evaluate the effects of a spearmint-containing herbal supplement on memory and cognitive function in healthy older adults with subjective memory impairment.
Dose
900 mg/day spearmint extract
Participants
90 adults aged 50–70 with subjective memory complaints
Duration
90 days
Results
Spearmint extract significantly improved spatial working memory, reduced errors, and improved quality of sleep and alertness compared to placebo. Results support cognition-enhancing potential of spearmint rosmarinic acid.
How They Measured It
Spatial working memory, spatial working memory errors, ADAS-Cog, CANTAB battery
To review the therapeutic properties of Mentha spicata including digestive, anti-inflammatory, and hormonal modulation effects.
Study Type
Review
Purpose
To review the therapeutic properties of Mentha spicata including digestive, anti-inflammatory, and hormonal modulation effects.
Dose
Various
Participants
Review
Duration
Various
Results
Spearmint demonstrates anti-androgen, antioxidant, antimicrobial, antispasmodic, and digestive properties. Clinical evidence supports anti-androgenic effects in hirsutism and PCOS. Cognitive benefits emerging from recent clinical trials.
How They Measured It
Literature review
Cardiovascular & Skin Health
To evaluate Mentha spicata leaf extract on cholesterol levels and cardiovascular risk markers.
Study Type
Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled
Purpose
To evaluate Mentha spicata leaf extract on cholesterol levels and cardiovascular risk markers.
Dose
Mentha spicata leaf extract with flavonoids and B vitamins
Participants
Adults with dyslipidemia
Duration
3 months
Results
Spearmint extract combination significantly improved HDL, LDL, and total cholesterol levels compared to placebo.
How They Measured It
HDL, LDL, total cholesterol, triglycerides, cardiovascular risk markers
To evaluate the effectiveness of Berberis integerrima root extract combined with spearmint essential oil in treating acne vulgaris.
Study Type
Randomized Controlled Trial
Purpose
To evaluate the effectiveness of Berberis integerrima root extract combined with spearmint essential oil in treating acne vulgaris.
Dose
Topical spearmint essential oil combined with Berberis extract
Participants
Adults with acne vulgaris
Duration
8 weeks
Results
Spearmint essential oil combined with Berberis extract significantly reduced acne lesion counts and severity scores compared to control.
How They Measured It
Acne lesion counts, IGA score, inflammatory markers
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Spearmint Extract research
There are currently 8 peer-reviewed studies on Spearmint Extract (Mentha spicata), involving 153 total participants. Research covers Anti-androgen effects, PCOS & hirsutism, Antioxidant and 1 more areas. The overall evidence strength is rated as Strong.
The evidence is currently rated as "Strong Evidence". This rating is based on study design quality (randomisation, blinding, placebo controls), sample sizes, study types (5 human studies), and reported outcomes.
Spearmint Extract has been researched for: Anti-androgen effects, PCOS & hirsutism, Antioxidant, Digestive health. Each area has its own body of evidence which you can explore in the study breakdowns above.
Yes, 5 out of 8 studies are human trials. Human trials carry more weight in our evidence scoring system.
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